Pitr Devata
Pitra Dosh Puja
Three-generation Shraddha and Tarpana for Pitri Rin and Sun-Rahu chart afflictions.
Indicative price
₹3,500
Final quote on callback. No payment now.
About this pooja
Pitra Dosh Puja is the rite for the propitiation of departed ancestors when the chart shows Pitri Rin (ancestral karmic debt) or Pitra Dosh (Sun-Rahu, Sun-Saturn or Sun-Ketu afflictions). Treated principally in the Garuda Purana and in the Lal Kitab, the rite combines Shraddha (the canonical ancestor-rite) with Tarpana (water offering) and a Brahmin-feeding component. The classical kshetra is Gaya (Bihar) but the household rite is recognised in classical practice.
Key insights
- Pitri Paksha (the fortnight before Mahalaya Amavasya, falling in September-October) is the canonical period. Outside of Pitri Paksha, the rite is performed on the Amavasya of any month, on the death-anniversary tithi of a parent, or on a Sankranti.
- Three generations are invoked: father's line (paternal), mother's line (maternal) and the matrilineal grandfather's line. The Tarpana is offered to all three.
- Til (black sesame), kusha grass, and water are the principal offerings. The Brahmin-feeding (Brahmana-bhojana) at the end of the rite is non-optional; the Garuda Purana is strict on this point.
- The rite is performed by a male family member ideally the eldest son or, in his absence, the eldest male descendant. If no male descendant is available, a Brahmin priest may perform the rite on the family's behalf as Pratinidhi.
What's included
- One Vedic pandit qualified for Shraddha and Tarpana
- Approx 120 to 180 minutes ritual time
- Sankalpa, Ganapati Pujan, three-generation Tarpana, Pinda Dana with rice-ghee-til balls, Brahmana-bhojana (Brahmin-feeding) coordination, Aarti, Daan
- Pre-puja gotra and ancestor-name collection for the Sankalpa
- Items the family arranges: kusha grass, black sesame, rice, ghee, banana leaves, water, food for Brahmin-feeding (vegetarian, prepared in pure ghee, without onion or garlic), dakshina and daan items
Vidhi (ritual steps)
- 01
Gotra and ancestor names collected for the Sankalpa (three generations on both sides)
- 02
Sankalpa with the yajamana name and the three-generation invocation
- 03
Ganapati Pujan
- 04
Tarpana to three generations on the paternal side, then maternal, then matrilineal grandfather's side
- 05
Pinda Dana: rice-ghee-til balls offered to each generation
- 06
Brahmana-bhojana: pure vegetarian meal offered to one or more Brahmins
- 07
Daan: a cow, a piece of land, or in modern form a monetary donation to a temple or charity
- 08
Aarti and conclusion
Benefits per dharma-shastra
Pitra Dosh Puja is the textbook countermeasure to chart-identified Pitri Rin and to the Sun afflictions named Pitra Dosh. The Garuda Purana lists Pitri Rin as a cause of obstruction in progeny, recurring family quarrels, financial instability and the recurrence of similar fates across generations (kula-shapa). The rite does not eliminate the karma; it is held to lighten its expression by honouring the unfulfilled obligations to the ancestors.
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