Post by Kanchi Periva on Aug 17, 2012 16:44:42 GMT 5.5
We are posting here a multi-part series of messages on "Mahalaya Paksha" which are forwarded to us through email by Shri G Balasubramanian.
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Most of the members of this forum are very well informed about the topic mentioned above. I am sure my attempt in this regard is like carrying lignite to Neyveli or carrying Cauvery water to Coorg.
Mahalayapaksha also known as Pitr paksha lasts for 15 days. This year this paksha commences on Sunday the 30 th of September,2012 (pratama thithi or padyami ) and it ends on 15th of October( Amavasy Thithi). Normally It occurs in Kanyamasam , that is , when the Sun is posited (placed)in the Kanya Rasi(Virgo). This month is also known as Bhadrapada ( In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat calendars) and as Ashwin as per North India Calendar.
According to Tamil Panchangam, Mahalayapaksham commences in 'Avani' month itself and ends during 'Purattasi' month in some years,whereas it generally falls in the month of Purattasi in most of the years. Nevertheless, pitrpaksha precedes SAradA NavarAtri irrespective of the month in which it falls. As the name Pitr Paksha itself indicates, this fortnight is exclusive meant for propiating or worshipping our dead ancestors or manes or pitrs.
Although Mahalaya Amavasya is considered to be the most important and auspicious day for performing Shraddha rituals to dead ancestors, in Southern parts of the country the shraddham is also performed on days when Apabharani, Madhyashtami and Vyatipatam occur during the Mahalaya Paksham. This does not ,necessarily , mean that on other Thitis. Shraddham should not be performed.
All the 15 days of the Paksham are equally good. Some people observe Shraddham on the same Thithi on which one`s father or mother expired. Incidentally, Sastras have prescribed performance of what is known as Brahmayagnam daily all the 365 days. This consists of Tarpanam for devas, rishis and pitrs. Separate Pitr Tarpanam is required to be performed on all Amavasya Thithis, all Masa sankaramanms (beginning day of the months), all eclipse days.
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Most of the members of this forum are very well informed about the topic mentioned above. I am sure my attempt in this regard is like carrying lignite to Neyveli or carrying Cauvery water to Coorg.
Mahalayapaksha also known as Pitr paksha lasts for 15 days. This year this paksha commences on Sunday the 30 th of September,2012 (pratama thithi or padyami ) and it ends on 15th of October( Amavasy Thithi). Normally It occurs in Kanyamasam , that is , when the Sun is posited (placed)in the Kanya Rasi(Virgo). This month is also known as Bhadrapada ( In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat calendars) and as Ashwin as per North India Calendar.
According to Tamil Panchangam, Mahalayapaksham commences in 'Avani' month itself and ends during 'Purattasi' month in some years,whereas it generally falls in the month of Purattasi in most of the years. Nevertheless, pitrpaksha precedes SAradA NavarAtri irrespective of the month in which it falls. As the name Pitr Paksha itself indicates, this fortnight is exclusive meant for propiating or worshipping our dead ancestors or manes or pitrs.
Although Mahalaya Amavasya is considered to be the most important and auspicious day for performing Shraddha rituals to dead ancestors, in Southern parts of the country the shraddham is also performed on days when Apabharani, Madhyashtami and Vyatipatam occur during the Mahalaya Paksham. This does not ,necessarily , mean that on other Thitis. Shraddham should not be performed.
All the 15 days of the Paksham are equally good. Some people observe Shraddham on the same Thithi on which one`s father or mother expired. Incidentally, Sastras have prescribed performance of what is known as Brahmayagnam daily all the 365 days. This consists of Tarpanam for devas, rishis and pitrs. Separate Pitr Tarpanam is required to be performed on all Amavasya Thithis, all Masa sankaramanms (beginning day of the months), all eclipse days.