Upcoming Festival-When is Chaturdashi Shradh in the Year 2021

On this day shradh will be performed for the persons whose incrimination was performed on Chaturdashi.

 

Chaturdashi Shradh is the penultimate date of the 15 day long sacred Mahalaya Paksha of the Bhadrapada month. Shradh is done only to the ancestors who have not died naturally and were dead because of a weapon, accident, suicide or were murdered. Hence the name Ghat Chaturdashi Shradh or Ghayala Chaturdashi Shradh. As Chaturdashi is 14th day this is also known as Chaudas Shradh.

 

Chaturdashi Shradh Tithi is only suitable for those deceased family members who were killed by some weapon, died in an accident, committed suicide or murdered. Otherwise Chaturdashi Shradh is not done on this Tithi and is performed on Amavasya Shradh Tithi. Chaturdashi Shradh is also known as Ghat Chaturdashi Shradh or Ghayala Chaturdashi Shradh. 

 

Amavasya Shradh is the last and the most sacred day among the 15 day long Mahalaya Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. Shraddha for the ancestors who have died on Amavasya thiti, Purnima Thiti and Chaturdashi Thiti is performed on Amavasya Shradh.

 

Following is given method for performing shradh for deparated souls of our relatives. 

 

Favorite food items of the that person are specially prepared. Pooja is performed and that food is offered to soul of that person. In starting a small portion of the food is offered to the Cow. If Possible one must offer food to Brahmin and donate clothes and other items as much one can afford. A small portion of the food is also offered to the Crow.

As crow is considered as a connection between the living world and the world of the dead. If possible offer food to Dogs also. Round balls of rice and flour, called pinda, are also offered, along with the sacred kusha grass and flowers, amidst sprinkling of water and chanting of mantras from the Sam Veda.