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Why is Pumpkin Vegetable Mandatory in Pitru Paksha? Know Why Shraddha Feast is Incomplete Without It.
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News18•01-10-2026, 08:39
Why is Pumpkin Vegetable Mandatory in Pitru Paksha? Know Why Shraddha Feast is Incomplete Without It.
- •Pitru Paksha is a time to show reverence to ancestors, involving Shraddha, Tarpan, Pind Daan, and specific food traditions.
- •Pumpkin vegetable is a key part of the Shraddha meal, considered sattvic and pure.
- •Offering sattvic food to ancestors during Pitru Paksha is believed to bring their blessings and ensure family peace and happiness.
- •Pumpkin, also known as Kashiphal, Kumhada, and Petha, is considered a medicinal fruit in Ayurveda.
- •During Pitru Paksha, a special sweet and sour pumpkin vegetable, made without onion and garlic, is a vital part of the Shraddha thali, as tamasic food is avoided.
Key Questions Answered
Pumpkin is considered a pure, sattvic, and medicinal vegetable that can be easily prepared without onion and garlic, making it an essential and auspicious part of the Shraddha feast to satisfy ancestors.
In some families, women avoid cutting pumpkin directly. Instead, a male member of the house first cuts the pumpkin into two halves, and often a lemon, chili, or another vegetable is kept with it to form a pair.
During Pitru Paksha, tamasic foods such as non-vegetarian items, alcohol, onion, and garlic are strictly avoided to maintain body and mind purity during ancestral rituals.
