Realising what Indra claimed, Karna answered that he never knew who his ancestors were, so he couldn't donate anything in their memory. That's when Indra told Karna that he donated gold all his life, but never donated food to his ancestors during Shradh. However, Karna was looking for food to eat and asked Indra, who is considered as the lord of heaven, the reason for serving gold as food. Only the last three generations in Pitru-Loka are given shradha rites.Īccording to Hindu scriptures, during the Mahabharata, when Karna died his soul was taken to heaven where he was offered lots of gold and jewels.

It is believed that when a person from the next generation dies, the first generation is taken to heaven bringing them closer to God. This realm is led by the god of death, Yama.

Shradh involves the current generation repaying the debts of their ancestors and deceased relatives by paying an ode to them.Īccording to Hindu beliefs, the souls of our three preceding generations reside in Pitru-Loka, which is considered to be a realm between heaven and earth. It is believed that Shradh rites liberate souls from the vicious circle of life and death and help them attain salvation. This year, Shradh will start from 5th September and end on 19th September, 2017. Known as the mourning period amongst Hindus across India, the 16-lunar day period, takes place during the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar during which people pay homage to their ancestors (Pitras), especially through food offerings.This period is also known as Shradh and Kanagat which according to Southern and Western India falls during the second paksha of the Hindu Lunar month of Bhadrapada and the fortnight immediately after Anant Chaturdashi or Ganesh Visarjan.

Shradh 2017 or Pitru Paksha commenced from 5th September 2017. This period is also known as Shradh and Kanagat.It is a 15-lunar day period, as per the Hindu calendar.Hindus across India will be observing Pitru Paksha from 5th September.

Pitru paksha 2017