Shradh is one of the most important rituals for Hindus as it is a way to show our gratitude to the deceased members of the family. By performing Shradh puja, people pay homage to the departed soul and it is also believed when a family member carries out this ritual, it gives mukti and moksha to the soul of the ancestors.

Shradh puja is performed twice in a year, one it should be performed on the tithi when the person left for his heavenly abode and the second is in Pitru Paksha. One can find in the religious Hindu texts the significance of performing Shradh puja. It is mentioned in these scriptures that every person taking birth on earth is bound by 3 types of Rin that is debt which are Dev Rin, Rishi Rin and Pitru Rin. It is also stated in these holy texts that, one cannot think of living a satisfied life without clearing these debts so each one of us must try to clear these debts.

In order to free yourself from Dev Rin, you are advised to worship Lord Vishnu and donate necessary things to the poor and needy. To relieve yourself from Rishi Rin, you must dedicate yourself in obliging Lord Shiva but to come out of Pitru Rin, you must perform pind daan, shradh puja and offer tarpan to their ancestors.

Now let us see who are eligible to perform the Shradh rituals

Any person of the family whether it is son, brother, father, grand son, great grandson, nephew, paternal or maternal relative and or anybody who is in the lineage of seven generations can perform Shradh rituals. Even priests can perform Shradh of the departed souls.

The religious hindu texts explain that Shradh can be performed of parents, grandparents & great grandparents of both paternal and maternal side. Also, one can perform shradh puja of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, in-laws, cousins and even of a close friend.

Procedure of Shradh puja

One must perform the Shradh rituals with a clean and sanctimonious mind. The performer of this sacred ritual must recall, realize, and accept how important the deceased member was to you. You must show your gratitude towards the pain and sacrifices your ancestor had made to keep the family happy.

On the day of puja, food items which were favourite to the dead person are prepared and are later served to the Brahmins taking part in the ritual and to the poor as well. It is said that offering food on the day of Shradh will pacify the departed soul and the performer as well as his family will be blessed by them. People also donate clothes and money to the needy.