UncategorizedShradh, also known as Pitru Paksha, is a sacred 15-day period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to honoring our ancestors. In 2025, Pitru Paksha will be observed from September 7th to September 21st, with thousands of devotees heading to Varanasi—the spiritual heart of India—to perform Pind Daan, Tarpan, and other sacred rites on the banks of the holy River Ganga.
If you’re planning to perform Shradh rituals in Varanasi in 2025, this guide covers everything you need to know—from key dates and rituals to ghats and booking services.
📅 Pitru Paksha 2025 Dates & Tithi Chart
Date Tithi / Ritual
Sept 7, 2025 Purnima Shraddha (For those who passed on full moon)
Sept 8–20, 2025 Tithi-wise Shraddha (According to death lunar date)
Sept 21, 2025 Sarva Pitru Amavasya (For all ancestors & unknown dates)
This 15-day period is based on the lunar calendar and begins the day after Ganesh Visarjan, ending on Amavasya (new moon).
🙏 Importance of Shradh and Pitru Paksha
Shradh rituals are performed to pay respect and express gratitude to deceased ancestors, ensuring peace for their souls and seeking blessings for the living family. According to Hindu scriptures, ancestral spirits (Pitras) are believed to visit the earth during this time, and performing Shradh brings peace, prosperity, and removal of obstacles.
This is especially important for:
People facing delays in marriage or childbirth
Business or personal struggles
Unrest or negativity at home
Family history of untimely deaths or curses (Pitra Dosha)
🌊 Why Varanasi is a Sacred Destination for Shradh
Varanasi, also called Kashi, is one of the most sacred cities in Hinduism. Performing Pind Daan and Tarpan on the ghats of the Ganges here is believed to free the souls from the cycle of rebirth (moksha).
Top Ghats for Shradh in Varanasi:
Manikarnika Ghat – The most sacred cremation ghat, known for salvation rites
Harishchandra Ghat – Ideal for Pind Daan and continuous havans
Raj Ghat – Easily accessible and organized for family rituals
Panchganga Ghat – Where five sacred rivers symbolically meet
Dashashwamedh Ghat – Near Kashi Vishwanath, often used for Tarpan rituals
🔱 Key Rituals Performed During Shradh
1. Pind Daan
The most important Shradh ritual, involving the offering of rice balls (pindas) made of rice, barley flour, and black sesame seeds to Brahmins or to the Ganges.
Believed to nourish the soul in the afterlife. Usually done at Manikarnika or Raj Ghat under guidance of a purohit or pandit.
2. Tarpan
A water offering ritual performed with til (black sesame seeds), barley, and kusha grass, while chanting ancestor names. Often performed by male family members. Done at the riverbank during sunrise.
3. Shradh Bhoj (Brahman Bhojan)
Offering a meal to Brahmins or the poor is believed to please the ancestors. Some perform gou daan (cow donation) or dakshina as part of the rites.
🛕 Services and Booking Options in Varanasi
Due to the large influx of pilgrims during Shradh 2025, it is advised to book ritual services and travel assistance in advance.
Our services include:
- Hotel & Accomodation
- Transportation
- Guide assistance
- Contact with Brahim
- Arrangement of samagri
- Ganga aarti & darshan arrangements
- Bhoj for Brahmins
- Rudrabhishek and Moksha Path
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