What is Sorha Shraddha (Pitri Paksha)?
Pitri Paksha is the sixteen-lunar-day period in the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Ashwin — usually September–October — dedicated to honouring ancestors. It is also called Sorha Shraddha ("sixteen shraddhas") because each of its lunar days corresponds to one tithi on which an ancestor may have passed.
The period ends on Sarva Pitru Aunsi (also called Mahalaya Aunsi) — the new-moon day when families honour all ancestors collectively, including anyone whose specific tithi was missed. Dashain begins right after Pitri Paksha ends.
To find your shraddha day: identify the tithi of the death date (a patro for that year, or our date converter plus tithi calendar). During Pitri Paksha, shraddha is performed on the day carrying that same tithi — e.g. death on Trayodashi → Trayodashi Shraddha day.
The essentials
- Performed annually on the death tithi, ideally during Pitri Paksha
- Core acts: tarpan (water + sesame offering), pinda daan (rice balls), feeding pandit/guests
- Sarva Pitru Aunsi covers all ancestors and missed days
- Fully doable abroad — tithi matters more than place
Need a pandit?
Browse Nepali pandits in Australia for shraddha, tihar and other rites, or check Panchak periods before scheduling.
Frequently asked questions
What is shraddha?
Shraddha (श्राद्ध) is the annual ritual honouring deceased parents and ancestors, performed on the same tithi (lunar date) as the day the person passed away. It involves tarpan (water offering), pinda daan and feeding a pandit or guests.
What is Pitri Paksha / Sorha Shraddha?
Pitri Paksha ("fortnight of the ancestors") is the 16-day period in the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin (roughly September–October), ending on Aunsi (new moon, called Sarva Pitru Aunsi / Mahalaya). Each lunar day during this window is the shraddha day for ancestors who died on that tithi.
How do I find my family's shraddha date?
Find the tithi of the day the person passed away (use a patro or date converter for that year). The shraddha then falls on the matching tithi day within Pitri Paksha each year — e.g. someone who passed on Shukla Panchami is honoured on Panchami Shraddha day.
Can I perform shraddha outside Nepal?
Yes — many diaspora families perform shraddha at home, at riverside, or through a pandit. What matters is the tithi, the ritual intention and offerings. Nepali pandits in Australia can guide or perform the full ceremony; some families also arrange proxy shraddha at Gokarna or Pashupatinath in Nepal.
What if I missed the Pitri Paksha window?
Missed shraddha can be performed on Sarva Pitru Aunsi (the final new-moon day) which honours all ancestors, or on the monthly Aunsi. Consult a pandit for your family's tradition.
Traditions vary by family and region — confirm ritual details with your family elders or a pandit.