Pitri Pasha 2026

Mahalaya Paksha, or Pitri Paksha, is the Lunar fortnight of the ancestors. During this period, all auspicious rituals are postponed, and offerings are made for the ancestors.

We owe a great debt to the ancestors for this life and this opportunity to live and enjoy and to release karma. Because of this debt, we take on a great deal of karma from our ancestors. This is understood as genetics by Western doctors and is thought to have no cure. With the understanding of ancestral karma, it becomes possible to free ourselves from the limitations set into motion for us by the past deeds of our ancestors. By making regular offerings for the ancestors, it is possible to help their souls journeying in the inner realms and this in turn helps pay off our debt to the ancestors and release us from the bonds of ancestral karma.

In addition to making regular offerings at home, it is recommended to have rituals performed by priests at sacred Temples annually for the ancestors, either during the Lunar month and phase when they passed or during the pitri paksha. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to have all the traditional rituals performed for the ancestors at the time of death and in the years following death. We are performing rituals for many thousands of souls monthly, and during the Pitri Paksha to help ensure that these souls do not get caught suffering between realms.

Please send us a list of the names of any ancestors or deceased family or friends you would like for us to include in our prayers. Names can be emailed to info@somamatha.org. Please put the word “pitris” in the subject line. A link is provided bellow for those inspired to sponsor to help support our efforts. During the Pitri Paksha, we take time to perform tarapanams, pinda danam, and tila homam, paying special attention that each soul we are praying for is progressing as it should toward the light of the Pitri Loka.

They say that not much is possible in life without the grace of the Matris and Pitris (male and female ancestors). Please take advantage of this opportunity to have the traditional Vedic rituals performed for your ancestors. Om maataa-pitribhyaam namaha svadhaa