Pitru Paksha is a significant Hindu tradition, observed to honour and remember deceased ancestors. It takes place during the waning phase of the lunar cycle, typically falling in the months of September or October. The 16-day period, also known as Shradh, is considered a time to pay respects to one’s forefathers through various rituals, including offerings and prayers. Hindus believe that during Pitru Paksha, the souls of ancestors descend to the earth to receive offerings from their living descendants. Performing Shradh rites is said to bring peace and salvation to these souls.
In many Indian households, special ceremonies are conducted, and food is offered to Brahmins, who symbolically represent the departed souls. Some also feed animals such as cows, dogs, and particularly crows. The crow, in Hindu mythology, is considered the messenger of ancestors, and feeding it is thought to ensure that the offerings reach the deceased.
To maintain the sanctity and spiritual purity of the rituals during Pitru Paksha, certain dietary rules and restrictions are followed. These are believed to uphold a sattvic (pure) way of life, which helps to maintain a spiritual connection with ancestors. Below are some foods traditionally avoided during Pitru Paksha:
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Foods to Avoid During Pitru Paksha
Non-Vegetarian Food
Consumption of meat, fish, eggs, and other non-vegetarian items is strictly prohibited during Pitru Paksha. The reason behind this is that non-vegetarian food is considered tamasic, meaning it increases lethargy and ignorance, which disrupts the spiritual atmosphere necessary for connecting with the ancestors. Eating non-vegetarian food during this period is thought to disturb the tranquillity and sanctity of the rituals.
Garlic and Onion
Garlic and onion are also classified as tamasic and rajasic, the latter being linked to heightened activity and restlessness. These ingredients are believed to create excess heat in the body, which can interfere with the calm and meditative state needed during Pitru Paksha rituals. Therefore, families avoid cooking with garlic and onions and opt for simpler, sattvic meals.
Alcohol
The consumption of alcohol and tobacco is completely forbidden during Pitru Paksha. These substances are seen as impairing mental clarity and can affect one's ability to focus on the religious and spiritual duties of the period. It is believed that such consumption taints the atmosphere and disrespects the presence of the ancestors.
Raw Grains, Pulses, and Wheat
Foods like raw grains, pulses, and wheat are not typically used in meals during Pitru Paksha. This is in keeping with the tradition of simplicity during the period of Shradh. Offerings to the ancestors usually consist of cooked meals and raw ingredients are avoided in both offerings and everyday meals.
Black Salt, Cumin Seeds, and Brinjal
Another set of items to avoid includes black salt, cumin seeds, and brinjal (eggplant). These are considered unsuitable for the rituals of Pitru Paksha, although the reasons for their exclusion vary according to regional customs. Some believe these items disturb the spiritual energy of the period, while others follow long-standing traditions of abstaining from these foods.
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Spicy and Oily Foods
Meals during Pitru Paksha are meant to be simple and sattvic, avoiding overly spicy or oily foods. Spices are said to cloud the mind and disturb the balance of the body, making it harder to perform rituals with the necessary level of spiritual focus. Instead of indulgent, rich meals, families opt for light, digestible food that fosters a sattvic environment, suitable for religious observances.
Pitru Paksha is a deeply spiritual and culturally significant period in Hindu tradition, during which individuals engage in prayers, rituals, and food offerings to honour their ancestors. The dietary restrictions observed during these 16 days are designed to promote a sattvic way of life, creating an atmosphere of peace and purity conducive to worship. By avoiding certain foods families maintain the spiritual sanctity needed to connect with their ancestors. Alongside these observances, the symbolic feeding of animals like crows further strengthens the bond between the living and the deceased, ensuring that the rituals of Pitru Paksha are fulfilled with devotion and reverence.