Shradh 2019: Dos And Don'ts You Should Keep In Mind For Next 16 Days

Shradh is that period of the year when we pray for our deceased ancestors. The rituals involve having puja at home and offering food to Brahmins. The word Shradh comes from Shraddha which means faith. The rituals we perform during this time are with complete faith for our ancestors. The offerings made and puja done during these days is said to be for our pitras or ancestors.

Shradh Calendar 2019

Shradh or Pitru Paksha is usually a 15 day period, this year this will be 16 days long as per the lunar days calendar. It begins today that is the 1st date of Ashwin Maas and will end on Amavasya that is 28th September this year.

It is believed that during this period, energies of our ancestors come around us and they bless us. This is why there are things that you should keep in mind during the Shradh period. One needs to follow some simple rules during this time.

Dos And Donts To Be Followed During Shradh

1. While preparing food for the Brahmins, keep in mind that is should be prepared in desi ghee only. All the puja preparations should be done in ghee only.

2. The food should be offered in silver utensils. Silver is said to be a positive metal and it is said to be auspicious. If you don't have silver then you can offer food in copper utensils.
3. You should not eat foods with onion and garlic as these are a part of tamasic diet that shouldn't be consumed during this period.
4. You should have satvik home made food during these 16 days.

5. Do prepare something sweet at home to offer to the priests. You can make kheer. Kheer is a special dish that is prepared during this time.
6. Do not use stale or rotten foods in Shradh puja or offerings to the brahmins.

7. It is said that you should not wear or buy new clothes during this time.

8. While preparing for the Shradh puja, make sure you don't use red flowers. You can use odourless flowers for puja.

9. Shradh is not considered a good time to purchase anything new, a new car or house. No new purchases should be done.

10. Other than offering food to the brahmins, you should give them new clothes, fruits and sweets. You can also give them dakshina. These offerings reach our ancestors and they send us our blessings.

It is said that the rituals should be performed by the eldest member of the family. Anyone who has to perform these rituals should take a bath before the puja. He or she will have to wear a ring made of kush grass which is believed to invoke ancestors.