Pitri Paksha: Hindus observe period of ancestral remembrance

Hindus globally are observing Pitri Paksha, a sixteen-day period dedicated to honoring deceased ancestors through prayers, rituals, and offerings. The observance involves performing Shraddha and Tarpana, where families offer water, rice, black sesame seeds, and food items to departed relatives.

In the United States, particularly within Hindu communities in Queens, New York, temples such as Shri Tulsi Mandir, Sudama Mandir, and Dayaram Mandir have hosted nightly services and discourses. These sessions often feature readings from sacred texts like the Garuda Purana, which addresses death and the soul, as well as the Bhagavad Gita and Mahapurans.

Spiritually, the period is intended to provide nourishment to the souls of the deceased, helping them transition to a blissful abode. During this time, many practitioners refrain from new undertakings, marriages, or celebrations. Traditional practices also include feeding Brahmins, cows, and crows, and making charitable donations to the poor and animals.