Stories
Pitru Paksha 2026: Avoid these 15 mistakes to prevent ancestral wrath and misfortune!
- •Pitru Paksha is a sacred period for ancestors; avoid certain mistakes to prevent displeasing them and inviting Pitru Dosha.
- •Refrain from buying new items, performing auspicious ceremonies, consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- •Avoid garlic, onion, masoor dal, and urad dal in cooking as they increase tamasic tendencies.
- •Men should avoid cutting hair, shaving, or trimming nails; never sleep with feet pointing south.
- •Do not disrespect Brahmins or elders, and never trouble mute creatures like cows, crows, dogs, or ants.
Key Questions Answered
During Pitru Paksha, the food prepared at home must be completely sattvic, meaning non-vegetarian foods like mutton, chicken, eggs, and fish, as well as alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco, are strictly prohibited. Additionally, regular cooking must avoid garlic, onion, masoor dal, and urad dal because these ingredients increase tamasic tendencies.
Pitru Paksha is a time for remembering ancestors rather than pursuing material pleasures, so purchasing new clothes, bringing gold, silver, or a new car into the house, and buying large items like houses or land are forbidden. Auspicious ceremonies such as weddings, engagements, mundan, and housewarming are also not performed.
Men should avoid cutting their hair, shaving, or trimming nails. People should avoid sleeping with their feet pointing south, refrain from watering the Pipal tree at night, and never take new loans or lend money. Instead, individuals should wake up early, perform Tarpan with black sesame seeds, recite the Gita or Garuda Purana, give charity to the poor, and light an evening lamp in the south direction.
