Bharani Shraddha

In Hinduism, the Shraddha ritual is an important observance. On this day, devotees worship the souls of their dead ancestors to grant them liberation and peace. Shraddha puja is performed during the ‘Pitru Paksha’ (the fortnight dedicated to ancestors) during the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the waning phase of the moon) in the month of ‘Ashwin’ in the traditional Hindu calendar.

Bharani Shraddha is an auspicious ritual during the Pitru Paksha at the time when the ‘Bharani’ Nakshatra exists during the ‘Aparahna Kala.’ Most likely, this Nakshatra prevails during the ‘Chaturthi’ (4th day) tithi or ‘Panchami’ (5th day) tithi and is referred to as ‘Chauth Bharani’ and ‘Bharani Panchami,’ respectively. The Shraddha ceremony of the deceased family member can also be done on Bharani asterism, along with the tithi that marks the actual date of death. This liberates the soul of the dead and grants them peace in eternity.

Hindu devotees generally perform the Bharani Shraddha in Kasi (Varanasi), Gaya, and Rameshwaram.

Bharani Shraddha 2024 is on September 21 Saturday

4 months and 21 days to go for the event

Bharani Shraddha

Rituals during Bharani Shraddha:

The Bharani Nakshatra Shraddha is usually performed once after the death of the individual; however, as per ‘Dharmasindhu,’ it can be done each year. This ritual is considered very auspicious and important; therefore, the person observing must maintain the sanctity of the ritual.

The person, especially the male head of the family, performs several rites and pujas for the satisfaction and liberation of the deceased soul. ‘Pinda Pooja,’ ‘Pinda Visarjana,’ and ‘Brahmana Suvasini,’ along with other rituals, are performed under the guidance of a knowledgeable priest.

The person doing the Bharani Shraddha should avoid haircuts, shave, and must keep a control over his senses. After the completion of ‘Tarpan,’ Brahmins are offered ‘saatvik’ food, sweets, clothes, and dakshina. This ritual is very important because, according to Hindu mythology, the food eaten by the Brahmins reaches the deceased souls.

On Bharani Shraddha, one must also feed the same food to crows as they are believed to be the messenger from Lord Yama. Besides crows, dogs and cows are also fed. It is believed that performing the Bharani Shraddha rituals religiously and with full devotion offers peace to the liberated soul. They, in return, bless their descendants with peace, protection, and prosperity.

Important Timings On Bharani Shraddha 2024

Significance of Bharani Shraddha:

The importance of Bharani Shraddha and other forms of Shraddha puja is mentioned in the several Hindu Puranas like ‘Matsya Purana,’ ‘Agni Purana,’ and ‘Garuda Purana.’ Bharani Shraddha is an important day during the Pitru Paksha and is also known as ‘Maha Bharani Shraddha.’ This is so because Yama, the God of Death, rules the ‘Bharani’ Nakshatra. It has been stated that the merits of Bharani Shraddha are the same as those of Gaya Shraddha’.

Moreover, it is believed that performing ancestral rites on a Chaturthi or Panchami tithi during the Bharani asterism holds special significance. After the Mahalaya Amavasya, this day is the most observed day during the Pitru Shraddha ritual.

Bharani Shraddha festival dates between 2020 & 2030

Other Related Festivals