Pitru Paksha 2026: Dates, Shradh Calendar & Mahalaya Amavasya

When is Pitru Paksha 2026?

Pitru Paksha 2026 — also searched as Shradh Paksha, Pitru Paksha dates, and Mahalaya Paksha — is the lunar fortnight dedicated to ancestors (Pitrs). In 2026 it begins on Saturday, 26 September (Purnima Shradh) and concludes on Saturday, 10 October with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also called Mahalaya Amavasya. This is one of the most-searched seasonal Hindu calendar topics in India every August–October. Families look up the ancestor's death tithi, then match it to the corresponding Shradh day. If that tithi is unknown, or a day was missed, Sarva Pitru Amavasya (10 October 2026) is the traditional catch-all date. The civil dates below follow the widely published 2026 Panchang consensus for India. Because a Tithi can begin after sunrise or end before the next sunrise, confirm the prevailing Tithi on the Indian Date Today Panchang for your city before fixing a ceremony.

• Start: 26 September 2026 (Saturday) — Purnima Shradh.
• End: 10 October 2026 (Saturday) — Sarva Pitru / Mahalaya Amavasya.
• Sharad Navratri follows immediately after this fortnight in 2026.

Pitru Paksha 2026 Shradh dates (16 Shradhs)

Perform Shradh on the Tithi that matches the ancestor's lunar death date. Combined Tithis occur when two lunar days touch the same sunrise, which is why some 2026 dates list two Shradhs.

Why the Hindu month name differs in North and South India

The days of Pitru Paksha are the same across India; only the month label changes with the calendar system. - Purnimanta (common in North India): the waning fortnight is Krishna Paksha of Ashwin (Ashwayuja). - Amanta (common in Maharashtra, Gujarat and much of South India): the same waning fortnight is Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada (Bhadrapad / Bhadon). This is the same Amanta vs Purnimanta split explained in our solar vs lunar calendars guide. If one panjika says “Bhadrapada Krishna” and another says “Ashwin Krishna” for 26 September–10 October 2026, they are describing the same fortnight, not two different seasons. In eastern India, especially West Bengal, the last day is Mahalaya: Pitru Paksha closes and Devi Paksha (the countdown to Durga Puja) begins. Check the Hindu Festivals directory for Durga Puja 2026 dates after Mahalaya.

• Match the ancestor's Tithi, not only the English date printed on an old invitation.
• Use today's Tithi page or Panchang if a Tithi straddles midnight in your city.

Who performs Shradh, and when during the day?

Traditional practice (always follow your family's priest or elders if they differ): - The eldest son commonly performs Shradh and tarpan; other descendants may assist or perform if he cannot. - Married daughters' families often observe Navami Shradh for mothers (Avidhava Navami) on 4 October 2026. - Shradh is generally done in the afternoon (Aparahna), not at night. Many texts highlight Kutapa kala around midday as especially suitable for offerings. - Pind daan at pilgrimage sites (Gaya, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Rameswaram) is optional; tarpan with water, sesame and kusa grass at home is the everyday form. - Chaturdashi Shradh is often reserved for those who died untimely deaths; other ancestors are not usually offered on that tithi. If you do not know the death Tithi, or you missed it, perform rites on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, 10 October 2026. That is the purpose of the closing Amavasya — it covers all ancestors, including those who died on Purnima or Amavasya themselves. Confirm sunrise, Tithi start/end, and the day's Amavasya or Purnima on Indian Date Today's Panchang and the Amavasya–Purnima guide before travelling.

• Unknown tithi → Sarva Pitru Amavasya (10 October 2026).
• Do not confuse Pitru Paksha Amavasya with Diwali Amavasya (Kartika), which falls later.

What families traditionally avoid during Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha is treated as a period of remembrance rather than celebration. Common traditional restrictions — not civil law — include postponing marriages, griha pravesh, mundan, upanayana, bhoomi pujan, and buying auspicious new assets such as vehicles or jewellery until the fortnight ends. Routine work, office, travel for tarpan, and ongoing household life continue. Auspicious ceremonies resume after Mahalaya; in 2026 Sharad Navratri begins the next lunar cycle after 10 October. Use the Hindu Festivals 2026 guide to plan Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali once Pitru Paksha closes. Because Tithi assignment depends on local sunrise, two cities can print adjacent English dates for the same Shradh. When in doubt, read the Tithi that prevails at sunrise in your city, then apply your sampradaya's special rule (for example Aparahna for Shradh).

• Restrictions are customary, not a substitute for family or priestly guidance.
• Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 also falls on a Saturday (Shani Amavasya), so many Panchangs note both ancestor rites and Saturday Amavasya observances.