Pitru Paksha 2026: When Is Pitru Paksha Starting? Check September 26 Start, October 10 End Date And Full Shraddha Calendar

Pitru Paksha 2026: When Is Pitru Paksha Starting And Ending?

Pitru Paksha, also known as Shraddha Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha, is the period traditionally dedicated to remembering and honouring ancestors through Shraddha, Tarpan, Pind Daan, prayers and charity.

In 2026, Purnima Shraddha falls on Saturday, September 26, followed by Pratipada Shraddha on Sunday, September 27. The observance concludes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also called Mahalaya Amavasya, on Saturday, October 10.

This distinction is important because searches for “Pitru Paksha 2026 start date” can show September 26 or September 27 depending on whether Purnima Shraddha is included in the calendar. For readers looking for the beginning of the main tithi-wise Shraddha period, September 27 is Pratipada Shraddha.

Pitru Paksha 2026 Quick Dates

Detail	Date
Purnima Shraddha	September 26, 2026, Saturday
Pitru Paksha/Pratipada Shraddha	September 27, 2026, Sunday
Pitru Paksha ends	October 10, 2026, Saturday
Sarva Pitru Amavasya	October 10, 2026, Saturday
Sharad Navratri begins	October 11, 2026, Sunday

The tithi-wise calendar places Pratipada on September 27 and Sarva Pitru Amavasya on October 10. Sharad Navratri begins the following day, October 11.

Pitru Paksha 2026 Full Calendar: Tithi-Wise Shraddha Dates

The Shraddha observances follow lunar tithis rather than simply counting consecutive Gregorian calendar dates. In 2026, Tritiya and Dwitiya-related observances result in two Shraddha observances falling on September 28, while Maha Bharani is observed on September 29.

Date	Day	Shraddha / Tithi
September 26	Saturday	Purnima Shraddha
September 27	Sunday	Pratipada Shraddha
September 28	Monday	Dwitiya Shraddha
September 28	Monday	Tritiya Shraddha
September 29	Tuesday	Chaturthi Shraddha
September 29	Tuesday	Maha Bharani
September 30	Wednesday	Panchami Shraddha
October 1	Thursday	Shashthi Shraddha
October 2	Friday	Saptami Shraddha
October 3	Saturday	Ashtami Shraddha
October 4	Sunday	Navami Shraddha
October 5	Monday	Dashami Shraddha
October 6	Tuesday	Ekadashi Shraddha
October 7	Wednesday	Dwadashi Shraddha
October 7	Wednesday	Magha Shraddha
October 8	Thursday	Trayodashi Shraddha
October 9	Friday	Chaturdashi Shraddha
October 10	Saturday	Sarva Pitru Amavasya

Why Are There Different Dates For Pitru Paksha Start?

One reason readers may see September 26 and September 27 described as the start of Pitru Paksha is the treatment of Purnima Shraddha.

Purnima Shraddha is observed on September 26. The main sequence of Pitru Paksha Shraddha begins with Pratipada on September 27. Panchang sources therefore may describe September 26 as the start of the broader Shraddha period while identifying September 27 as the first Pratipada Shraddha.

When Is Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026?

Sarva Pitru Amavasya will be observed on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

It marks the conclusion of Pitru Paksha and is also known as Mahalaya Amavasya. The day is traditionally associated with paying respects to ancestors, particularly when the specific death tithi of an ancestor is not known.

For this reason, “Pitru Paksha 2026 end date”, “Shradh 2026 end date” and “Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026” are closely connected search intents.

What Is Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha is traditionally observed as a period for ancestral remembrance and Shraddha rituals. Families may perform rituals according to the lunar tithi associated with an ancestor's death.

Common observances include:

• Shraddha
• Tarpan
• Pind Daan
• Offering food
• Prayers for ancestors
• Charity or Daan

The exact method and customs can differ between families, regions and traditions, so readers should follow the practices prescribed by their family tradition or local priest. Drik Panchang notes that references to Shraddha practices appear across several traditional Hindu texts and that the lunar month nomenclature differs between Amanta and Purnimanta calendars, while the Shraddha dates are observed on corresponding days.

Why Is Shraddha Performed During Pitru Paksha?

The central purpose of Pitru Paksha is remembering and paying homage to departed ancestors.

Traditionally, families perform Shraddha on the tithi associated with an ancestor's passing. Food offerings, Tarpan, Pind Daan and charity are among the practices followed in different traditions.

The observance is therefore less about a single festival-day celebration and more about maintaining an ancestral remembrance ritual over a designated lunar period.

What Is Done During Pitru Paksha?

Practices vary according to family and regional customs, but commonly observed rituals include Tarpan, Shraddha, Pind Daan and Daan.

Many families also maintain a more restrained routine during this period and give greater attention to prayer, remembrance and charitable acts.

There is no single list of practices that applies identically to every Hindu household. Regional customs and family traditions can differ.

Is Pitru Paksha 15 Days Or 16 Days?

Pitru Paksha is generally described as a 15-lunar-day period from Pratipada to Amavasya. However, Purnima Shraddha is often included separately in calendars, which is why the period is sometimes referred to as a 16-day Shraddha observance.

For 2026, Purnima Shraddha is on September 26, followed by Pratipada on September 27 and the sequence ending with Sarva Pitru Amavasya on October 10.

Pitru Paksha 2026 And Navratri: What Comes Next?

An important calendar transition takes place immediately after Pitru Paksha.

Sarva Pitru Amavasya falls on October 10, 2026, while Sharad Navratri begins on October 11 with Ghatasthapana and Shukla Pratipada.

This makes the October 10–11 transition particularly relevant for readers searching for both Pitru Paksha 2026 end date and Navratri 2026 start date.

Pitru Paksha 2026: Important Things To Remember

• Purnima Shraddha: September 26
• Pratipada Shraddha: September 27
• Main Shraddha period: September 27 to October 10
• Sarva Pitru Amavasya: October 10
• Pitru Paksha ends: October 10
• Sharad Navratri begins: October 11
• Shraddha is performed according to the relevant lunar tithi, not simply the Gregorian date.
• Ritual procedures and customs may differ according to family and regional traditions.
• City-specific Shraddha Muhurat can vary, so readers should check the local Panchang before performing rituals.

Pitru Paksha 2026 FAQs

1. When does Pitru Paksha start in 2026?
   Pitru Paksha 2026 begins with Purnima Shraddha on September 26, while the main tithi-wise Shraddha period begins with Pratipada Shraddha on September 27, 2026.
2. When is Pitru Paksha 2026 ending?
   Pitru Paksha 2026 ends on October 10, 2026, with Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya.
3. How many days is Pitru Paksha in 2026?
   The main Pitru Paksha sequence covers 15 lunar tithis from Pratipada to Amavasya. Purnima Shraddha is also listed separately, which is why some calendars refer to the broader observance as a 16-day period.

Quick Takeaway

Pitru Paksha 2026 will be observed from September 26 to October 10, with the main Pratipada-to-Amavasya Shraddha sequence running from September 27 to October 10. The period concludes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya on October 10, followed by Sharad Navratri from October 11.