Pitru Paksha 2026 dates: Is it in September or October? Check shradh 2026 start and end date and Shradh calendar

Pitru Paksha 2026 dates: Pitru Paksha will begin in September and continue into October this year, answering a common question among devotees: Is Pitru Paksha in September or October 2026? The 15-day ancestral period will begin on September 27, 2026, and end on October 10, 2026, with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya, marking the final day.

The confusion over the month is understandable. Most of the Shradh period falls in September, but the final days continue into October. The dates are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, so the beginning and end do not always correspond neatly with a single Gregorian calendar month.

Also Read: September 2026 School Holidays: State-wise list of school closures, Check Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, and other festivals and regional holidays across India

Shradh 2026 start date and end dates: Is it in September or October?

If you are searching for “Pitru Paksha 2026 September date” or wondering “Pitru Paksha 2026 October mein kab hai”, the answer is both. Pitru Paksha will start on Sunday, September 27, in New Delhi. The period will continue through the first 10 days of October, ending on Saturday, October 10.

The final day, Sarva Pitru Amavasya, is considered particularly important for performing Shradh rituals for ancestors. The Amavasya tithi begins on the night of October 9 and ends on October 10, with October 10 being the observance date in New Delhi.

Pitru Paksha 2026 dates: shradh full calender

Shradh	Date
Pratipada Shradh	September 27, 2026
Dwitiya Shradh	September 28, 2026
Tritiya Shradh	September 29, 2026
Chaturthi Shradh	September 30, 2026
Panchami Shradh	September 30, 2026
Shashthi Shradh	October 1, 2026
Saptami Shradh	October 2, 2026
Ashtami Shradh	October 3, 2026
Navami Shradh	October 4, 2026
Dashami Shradh	October 5, 2026
Ekadashi Shradh	October 6, 2026
Dwadashi Shradh	October 7, 2026
Trayodashi Shradh	October 8, 2026
Chaturdashi Shradh	October 9, 2026
Sarva Pitru Amavasya	October 10, 2026

The exact Shradh date for an individual ancestor depends on the tithi, or lunar day, on which the person died. Some special categories of Shradh are also associated with particular tithis.

When does Pitru Paksha start in 2026?

Pitru Paksha Shardh begins with Pratipada Shradh on September 27. The Pratipada tithi begins on September 26 and continues into September 27, which is why the Shradh observance falls on September 27.

This is also why simply checking when the lunar tithi starts can sometimes give a different date from the actual Shradh observance.

When does Pitru Paksha Shradh end in 2026?

Pitru Paksha ends on October 10, 2026, with Sarva Pitru Amavasya. It is also called Mahalaya Amavasya and is regarded as the final and one of the most significant days of the Pitru Paksha period.

The Amavasya tithi begins at around 9:35 pm on October 9 and ends at around 9:19 pm on October 10 for New Delhi.

What is Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha is a period dedicated to remembering and honouring ancestors. During these days, families traditionally perform Shradh, Tarpan and other rituals in memory of deceased family members.

The observance is linked to the waning phase of the lunar month. The naming of the lunar month can differ between traditions and regions, which is another reason dates and month names sometimes appear different in calendars.

For people following the Hindu calendar, however, the important point for 2026 is straightforward: Pitru Paksha starts on September 27 and ends on October 10.

Shradh 2026 date: Why are September and October both mentioned?

The Hindu calendar is based on lunar cycles, while the Gregorian calendar follows the solar year. As a result, festivals and religious observances can move between Gregorian months from one year to another.

In 2026, Pitru Paksha begins in the final week of September and extends into October. So, if someone says Pitru Paksha is in September, they are referring to its beginning. If they say it is in October, they may be referring to the later Shradh dates or its concluding day.

For devotees planning Shradh ceremonies, it is advisable to check the Panchang for their specific city because tithi and ritual timings can vary by location.