Pitru Paksha 2025: Pitru Paksha is starting from 7th September. In Pitru Paksha, Shradh Karma and Pinddaan are performed for the dead ancestors. But some people perform their Shradh even before dying, know why.

Pitru Paksha 2025: The period from Pratipada to Amavasya of the month of Ashwin is called Pitru Paksha. The 15 days of Pitru Paksha are considered very important in Hinduism. This year Pitru Paksha will start from September 7 and will end with Sarvapitru Amavasya on September 21.

Pitru Paksha is a time when rituals like Shradh, Tarpan and Pinddaan are performed for the dead ancestors. It is believed that these rituals performed during Pitru Paksha bring blessings from the ancestors, liberate them from Pitru Dosha and also satisfy the souls of the ancestors. 

You can perform Shraddha even before you die

On hearing the names of Tarpan and Pinddaan, people usually feel that these are rituals performed for their dead ancestors. According to Hindu belief, after death, people become ancestors and their family members perform their Shradh in Pitru Paksha. But you will be surprised to know that Shradh is also performed for those who have not died. Some people perform their own Shradh rituals before dying. Let us know what is the reason for this, who are those people and is it in accordance with the scriptures to perform Shradh for a living person.

Is it in accordance with scriptures to perform the shraddha of a living person?

It is mentioned in Garuda Purana and religious texts that, under certain circumstances, a person can perform his own Shraddha during his lifetime. This is called 'Atma Shraddha' or 'Jeevit Shraddha'. Such Shraddha ensures that the person has satisfied his soul with his deeds before death, so that his soul does not have to wander after death.

Who can perform his/her own Shraddha before death

• The basic ritual of Shraddha is for such ancestors who have left their bodies. But the scriptures mention about such people who can perform their Shraddha even while they are alive.
• Sadhus, saints or ascetics who have taken sanyaas can perform their shraddha before death. After performing shraddha, they become free from domestic life and worldly bondages.
• If someone is the last male member of his clan or lineage and after him there is no descendant in the family, even then the person can perform his own Shraddha during his lifetime so that his soul may attain salvation after his death.
• However, it is not in consonance with the scriptures for ordinary householders to perform Shraddha while alive.