With all the pomp and joyous moods the festivity part continues and then the knock of Pitru Paksha, it is believed that before the onset of each year’s grand festivals of Dushera and Diwali, we are supposed to pay homage and respect to our ancestors who are there with us inside us guiding our path through ups and downs and taking care of us.
PITRU PAKSHA (literally meaning the fortnight of the ancestors) is a 16 lunar day period when Hindu’s pay homage to their ancestors, especially by offering food, this period is also known as pitri paksha, pitripokkho, solah shraddha or sixteen shradahs, kanagi, jitiya, mahalaya paksha. During this period the autumnal equinox falls i.e. the transition of sun from northern to the southern hemisphere where it also places itself in the zodiac sign of Libra. This realm is governed by the lord of death the Yama. It is believed that the ancestors who have left for heavenly abode and may rest in peace for this the eldest male member or son or grandson perform different rituals, but GC’s (Glucose Club) perception is that why can’t the female members perform these rituals as they also belong to the same genetic makeup and the same family then why not females also be in dominating position.
The rituals also includes pinddan or balls made out of rice, ghee, black sesame seeds and it is believed if a crow comes and eats it then the offering has reached our ancestors it is believed even black cow and dog is fed with the edible offerings and if crow eats those offerings its believed to be the symbolic of Yama, and these rituals are performed by the banks of auspicious lakes like Ganga, Narmada, etc, and people take a dip in these holy rivers tarpan is also done, many people do the charity by giving gifts and food items to the needy or by feeding them with food.
There’s a story of Karna related from the epic of Mahabharta , thus it’s our utmost duty to pay homage soulfully to the souls of three preceding generations of one’s ancestors may reside peacefully in Pitruloka a realm between heaven and earth according to Hinduism, and that realm is governed by Yama the lord/god of death, then soon after Mahalaya when sacred hymns are recited early in the morning it ends up and from then the shardiya navratra starts or the pious day of kalash sthapna/a cooper or brass pot filled with holy water and its mouth is covered by a upper tip of a mango tree and placed in front of gods and goddess and here Ma Durga and many people do the fasting during this period and eat one meal, in India few eatables are considered for this fasting period. Then from here on the onset of festivals commences.
to be continued…
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