Latest news with #Shradh
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Pitru Paksha 2025 start date and end date: Know Shradh dates, rituals, significance and more
Shradh 2025 start and end date: Pitru Paksha or Shradh is a 15-day period that will start on September 7 with Purnima Shradh and will conclude on September 21 with Sarva Pitri Amavasya. During these days, Hindus show respect and offer prayers to their ancestors and forefathers. Pitru Paksha is observed with special rituals, and people follow a simple lifestyle. It is believed that performing Shradh rituals during this time helps the souls of ancestors find peace and attain moksha (salvation). The last day of Pitru Paksha is called Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya, which is considered very important during this period. When does Pitru Paksha start and end in 2025? According to the Hindu calendar, Pitru Paksha begins on the full moon (Purnima) day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada and ends on the new moon (Amavasya) day of Krishna Paksha. This year, Shradh will start on Sunday, 7th September 2025 and will end on Sunday, 21st September 2025. Pitru Paksha 2025 tithi dates Why is Pitru Paksha important? Pitru Paksha is a time to show love and respect to your departed family members. Hindus believe that offering food, prayers, and rituals during this time brings peace to the souls of ancestors. It is also said that these actions help the souls to reach moksha (salvation). Pitru Paksha (Shradh) rituals People follow certain rituals and customs during these 15 days. These include: 1. Tarpan This is the act of offering water and black sesame seeds (til) to ancestors. It is believed to quench their thirst in the afterlife. 2. Pinda Daan In this ritual, people offer rice balls made with ghee and sesame seeds to their ancestors. This is done to nourish their souls and help them find peace. 3. Shradh Ceremony Many families perform a proper Shradh puja, where they offer food, clothes, and other items to priests or Brahmins. This is seen as a good deed done in memory of the departed. 4. Charity and Donations Giving food, clothes, or money to the poor or to temples is common during Pitru Paksha. It is believed to bring blessings from the ancestors and help their souls rest peacefully. 5. Visiting Ancestral Places Some people go to their native villages or burial spots to perform the rituals and show respect to their elders who have passed away. 6. Fasting Many people also observe fasts during these 15 days to show devotion and respect for their ancestors. Pitru Paksha history & significance: Here's a brief overview of the history and significance of Pitru Paksha: Mention in Hindu Scriptures The idea of respecting and remembering our ancestors comes from Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Puranas. These texts say that offering prayers and food to the souls of our departed family members during Shradh helps bring them peace in the afterlife. Teachings in the Bhagavad Gita In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna talks about the importance of offering food to ancestors. He explains that it is not just a tradition but also a form of devotion. Doing these rituals during Pitru Paksha helps one receive blessings and grow spiritually. Story of King Mahabali Another well-known tale is about King Mahabali. He was a kind and just ruler. According to mythology, Lord Vishnu came to him in the form of Vamana during Pitru Paksha and sent him to the underworld. But because of Mahabali's goodness, he was given a special blessing—to visit his people once a year during this time. This visit is celebrated as Onam in Kerala. Story from the Mahabharata The Mahabharata, one of the oldest epics in India, has a story linked to Pitru Paksha. Karna, a well-known character, is said to have donated food and wealth during this time. Because of his kind deeds, he earned great rewards. This story shows why doing good things during Pitru Paksha is important. Importance of Amavasya and Tarpan The last day of Pitru Paksha is Mahalaya Amavasya, which is the most special day of this period. On this day, people perform Tarpan or Shraddha rituals that include offering water, food, and prayers to their ancestors. It is believed that these offerings bring peace to the souls of the departed and bring blessings to the family. Why Pitru Paksha Still Matters Today Pitru Paksha is still followed with great faith by many Hindu families. People come together to remember their ancestors by offering pind daan (rice balls) and doing other rituals. It is believed that these acts help the souls of ancestors rest in peace and also bring good fortune to the living. Pitru Paksha reminds us how important family is and how strong the bond is between past and present generations. It teaches us that honouring our forefathers brings harmony, blessings, and spiritual progress in life. (Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.) For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Call Of Duty Paramount, Say Mothers Of Jawans
1 2 Hazaribag: At 95, Utra Devi , a resident of Kolhua village under the Jhapa panchayat of Chouparan block in Hazaribag district, is still an embodiment of a steely resolve despite losing her husband, Vishambar Singh, just a week ago. Her younger son, Amit Kumar (40), a BSF jawan, who had come to attend the last rites of his father, had been suddenly asked to report to Delhi, leaving the Shradh rituals midway. Though her son has missed the Shradh, Utra is full of pride that he is on national duty. Her elder son, Binod Singh, too, was part of the Kargil War , she father died on May 3, and the jawan came home for the rituals. But after India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, he was summoned to report to the Delhi headquarters of BSF, and he promptly left on Friday to TOI, Utra said, "It is a matter of pride that both my sons are in the Army. Operation Sindoor Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Sirens, explosions in border districts after Pak breaks deal: What we know so far 'What happened to ceasefire?' J&K CM after explosions heard across Srinagar Desh ke kaam aa rahe hain (Working for the nation). Leaving the family and going to the border to safeguard the country is a tough and challenging task, though. " She added, "Mere dono bachchon ne mujhe gaurwanvit kar diya hai (Both my kids have made me proud)."Utra maintained that standing up for the country, during its tough phase, is more important for every citizen than anything else. "Bas sab theek ho aur hamare sainik bhi surakshit rahen (I pray all turns well and our jawans are safe)," she elder son, Captain Binod Singh (retired), informed that Amit is currently posted at the Agartala border of Tripura as a constable. He said, "My brother joined the force after getting motivated by me. While he is on national duty, I am taking care of the responsibilities of performing the Shradh of my father as a son. Amit and I know well how to keep the pride of the uniform intact. For us, the country comes first."Binod, who worked as an operator of a Bofors gun during Kargil War, said that the war started in May 1999, and in the same month, Amit got a job. "He has reported at Delhi," he said, adding, "When he was leaving home on Friday, I noticed his proud face. He prepared himself for this big opportunity in life as a soldier, and so I also motivated him."Hazaribag: At 95, Utra Devi, a resident of Kolhua village under the Jhapa panchayat of Chouparan block in Hazaribag district, is still an embodiment of a steely resolve despite losing her husband, Vishambar Singh, just a week ago. Her younger son, Amit Kumar (40), a BSF jawan, who had come to attend the last rites of his father, had been suddenly asked to report to Delhi, leaving the Shradh rituals midway. Though her son has missed the Shradh, Utra is full of pride that he is on national duty. Her elder son, Binod Singh, too, was part of the Kargil War, she father died on May 3, and the jawan came home for the rituals. But after India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, he was summoned to report to the Delhi headquarters of BSF, and he promptly left on Friday to TOI, Utra said, "It is a matter of pride that both my sons are in the Army. Desh ke kaam aa rahe hain (Working for the nation). Leaving the family and going to the border to safeguard the country is a tough and challenging task, though." She added, "Mere dono bachchon ne mujhe gaurwanvit kar diya hai (Both my kids have made me proud)."Utra maintained that standing up for the country, during its tough phase, is more important for every citizen than anything else. "Bas sab theek ho aur hamare sainik bhi surakshit rahen (I pray all turns well and our jawans are safe)," she elder son, Captain Binod Singh (retired), informed that Amit is currently posted at the Agartala border of Tripura as a constable. He said, "My brother joined the force after getting motivated by me. While he is on national duty, I am taking care of the responsibilities of performing the Shradh of my father as a son. Amit and I know well how to keep the pride of the uniform intact. For us, the country comes first."Binod, who worked as an operator of a Bofors gun during Kargil War, said that the war started in May 1999, and in the same month, Amit got a job. "He has reported at Delhi," he said, adding, "When he was leaving home on Friday, I noticed his proud face. He prepared himself for this big opportunity in life as a soldier, and so I also motivated him."
Time of India
05-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Never-ending cleanup: Volunteers battle waste along Yamuna
New Delhi: For the past six years, Pankaj Kumar and a handful of volunteers have been cleaning the Yamuna's banks at Kalindi Kunj every Sunday. But every week, they find the riverine area as polluted as earlier — with garbage, medical waste, discarded clothes, idols and puja material, polybags, liquor bottles, sometimes even carcasses of animals, either dumped there or ferried by the river. Cleaning the Yamuna has proved a daunting task for both the state and central govts. Cleaning the ghats is equally challenging. Yet, the group that calls itself Team Earth Warriors perseveres with its seemingly never-ending effort to provide the city with a small section of riverbank that is natural and thriving. Among the last stretches of the river within Delhi's jurisdiction, the ghat stretches to around 400 metres from the Kalindi Kunj barrage on the right bank. People perform rituals here despite the pollution. "When I was at this ghat for the first time in 2019, I found it so dirty that I didn't even want to stand there. The frothy water stank and the bank was even filthier," said Kumar. "Over the years, we have cleared most of the legacy waste, but the problem is far from over. Every Sunday, we carry away a small truckload of garbage again and again." Kumar's warriors worked without much help from govt or govt department until the municipal corporation send a garbage truck where the volunteers could segregate the waste and dump it. Even then, a Delhi Police barricade at the ghat entrance is a hassle. "We have to carry the garbage about half a kilometre to load it in the truck because the barricade doesn't allow the MCD truck through," said Kumar. Vishwas Dwivedi, a software engineer from Gurgaon, has volunteered every Sunday since Sept last year. Referring reverentially to the river as "Yamuna ji," the young techie feels that poor civic sense and lack of maintenance and facilities like a dump are what turn the riverbank into an eyesore. "Despite creating awareness about cleanliness, people often discard rubbish in front of us with impunity," said Dwivedi. "They also throw trash into the river from the bridge. So even when we clean it over and over again, the Yamuna remains polluted." Neeta Pal, a teacher who has volunteered for five years, pointed out that while a lot has changed, a little help from officials could help preserve their work for a longer period of time. "We have seen almost every sort of waste. The worst are headless carcasses of animals like buffalo and calves," Pal said. There are no dustbins at the ghat, and the area is used to perform the Shradh rites, so it means people dump their clothes there too. We often have to dig in the sandy area to clean the ghat properly." She also alleged having seen contractors emptying septage in the nearby Agra canal.
