Pitru Paksha 2026 Dates: Start, End and Complete Tithi Calendar

Pitru Paksha 2026 dates run from Saturday, 26 September 2026 to Saturday, 10 October 2026, beginning with Purnima Shraddha and ending with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya. This sacred fortnight is dedicated to remembering departed ancestors and performing Shraddha, Tarpana, and Pinda Dana in their memory. Because pitru paksha Shraddha is performed on the specific tithi on which an ancestor passed away, this guide gives the complete Pitru Paksha tithi calendar for 2026, along with the start date, last date, and the most important days within the fortnight.

When Is Pitru Paksha in 2026?

Pitru Paksha starts from Saturday, 26 September 2026 with Purnima Shraddha, and ends on Saturday, 10 October 2026 with Sarva Pitru Amavasya.

You may see some sources give the starting date as 27 September. Both are correct, and the difference is simply a matter of where the count begins. Purnima Shraddha on 26 September falls on the full moon immediately preceding the fortnight, and it is customarily included in Pitru Paksha date lists. The Krishna Paksha sequence proper begins the next day with Pratipada Shraddha on 27 September. This is also why the period is sometimes described as fifteen days and sometimes as sixteen.

Pitru Paksha Kab Se Shuru Hai aur Kab Khatam Ho Raha Hai?

• Pitru Paksha starting date: Saturday, 26 September 2026 (Purnima Shraddha)
• Krishna Paksha sequence begins: Sunday, 27 September 2026 (Pratipada Shraddha)
• Pitru Paksha last day: Saturday, 10 October 2026 (Sarva Pitru Amavasya)
• Navratri begins the very next day: Sunday, 11 October 2026

Pitru Paksha 2026 Tithi Calendar

The complete tithi pitru paksha calendar for 2026 is given below. Shraddha is traditionally performed on the tithi corresponding to the day of the ancestor’s passing, so this table is the key to knowing which day applies to your family.

This calendar follows a New Delhi panchang reference. Tithi timings shift with local sunrise, so families observing outside India, or in cities with a significantly different sunrise, should confirm the applicable day with their local panchang before making arrangements.

The Most Important Days of Pitru Paksha 2026

Purnima Shraddha, 26 September

Observed for family members whose annual remembrance is connected with Purnima in the tradition the family follows. Although it falls immediately before the Krishna Paksha sequence, it is commonly counted within Pitru Paksha.

Maha Bharani Shraddha, 29 September

Observed when Bharani Nakshatra occurs during the fortnight. This is a nakshatra-based observance rather than a separate lunar tithi. In 2026 it coincides with Tritiya Shraddha on 29 September.

Matri Navami, 4 October

Navami Shraddha is widely known as Matri Navami and is especially associated with remembering the departed women of the family, though the exact practice differs by community and family custom.

Magha Shraddha, 7 October

Connected with the presence of Magha Nakshatra during the fortnight. In 2026 it falls on the same day as Dwadashi Shraddha.

Sarva Pitru Amavasya, 10 October

The final and most widely observed day of Pitru Paksha, also called Mahalaya Amavasya, Pitru Amavasya, and Sarvapitri Amavasya. Shraddha may be performed on this day for all ancestors together, and it is the appropriate day when the exact tithi is unknown, when a tithi-specific ritual could not be performed, or when family tradition prescribes Amavasya Shraddha.

Which Tithi Applies to Your Family?

Shraddha is traditionally performed on the lunar tithi on which the ancestor passed away, not on the same Gregorian date each year. If a family member passed on Dashami tithi, for example, Dashami Shraddha on 5 October is the applicable day in 2026.

If the lunar tithi is not known, or if the correct day cannot be observed for practical reasons, the ritual may be performed on Sarva Pitru Amavasya on 10 October, which is intended for the collective remembrance of known and unknown ancestors alike.

Preferred Timing Within the Day

Shraddha rituals are traditionally preferred during the Kutup Muhurta, the Rohina Muhurta, and the Aparahna period, the afternoon portion of the day. These windows shift according to city and local sunrise, so a single clock time cannot be given for all locations. Confirm the muhurta for your city through your local panchang or with the priest conducting the ritual.

Purnimanta and Amavasyant: A Note on the Calendar

In the North Indian Purnimanta calendar, Pitru Paksha falls in Ashwin Krishna Paksha. In the South Indian Amavasyant calendar, the same period is described as falling in Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha. The name of the lunar month differs, but the Shraddha dates themselves are broadly observed on the same days across India, which is why the calendar above applies to both.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Pitru Paksha in 2026?

Pitru Paksha 2026 runs from Saturday, 26 September to Saturday, 10 October. It begins with Purnima Shraddha on 26 September, with the Krishna Paksha sequence starting on 27 September, and concludes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya on 10 October.

Pitru paksha kab se shuru hai in 2026?

Pitru Paksha starts from 26 September 2026 with Purnima Shraddha. Pratipada Shraddha, which begins the Krishna Paksha sequence, falls on 27 September 2026.

When is Pitru Paksha ending in 2026?

Pitru Paksha ends on Saturday, 10 October 2026 with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya. Navratri begins the following day, 11 October 2026.

Is Pitru Paksha 15 days or 16 days?

The Krishna Paksha contains fifteen lunar tithis. Annual date lists commonly include Purnima Shraddha immediately before it, which is why the period is often listed as sixteen observance days.

How do I know which Pitru Paksha tithi applies to my family?

Shraddha is performed on the lunar tithi on which the ancestor passed away rather than the Gregorian date. Match that tithi to the calendar above. If the tithi is unknown, observe Sarva Pitru Amavasya on 10 October, which is valid for all ancestors.

What is the best time of day for Shraddha?

The Kutup Muhurta, Rohina Muhurta, and the Aparahna period of the afternoon are traditionally preferred. Exact timings depend on your city and local sunrise, so confirm with a local panchang.