Fri Sep 05 13:20:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
This article discusses the upcoming Pitru Paksha, a 15-day period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to honoring ancestors, which begins on September 7th and ends on September 21st. This year is unusual because it features both a lunar and a solar eclipse during this period. The lunar eclipse on September 7th, coinciding with Purnima Shraddha, will be visible in India, impacting the timing of rituals due to the Sutak period. The solar eclipse on September 21st will not be visible in India, but will affect those in European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and the Pacific Ocean, requiring them to perform Pitru Visarjan before the Sutak period begins. The article provides a detailed schedule of the Shraddha dates for each day of Pitru Paksha.
**News Article:**
**Rare Celestial Events Mark Start of Pitru Paksha: Lunar Eclipse Visible in India, Solar Eclipse Impacts Overseas Rituals**
**New Delhi, India –** This year’s Pitru Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to honoring ancestors in Hinduism, is set to be an extraordinary one, marked by both a lunar and a solar eclipse. The period, beginning September 7th and concluding on September 21st, presents unique considerations for ritual timings due to the eclipses.
The auspicious period kicks off with Purnima Shraddha on September 7th, coinciding with a total lunar eclipse. According to astrologer Vibhor InduSut, the Sutak period (inauspicious time) associated with the lunar eclipse will begin at 12:57 PM on September 7th. Therefore, all rituals related to Purnima Shraddha, including Tarpan, must be completed before this time. The lunar eclipse will begin at 9:57 PM, reach its peak at 11:42 PM, and end at 1:27 AM, lasting approximately three and a half hours. The event will be visible across India and several other countries.
Adding to the celestial significance, a solar eclipse will occur on September 21st, the concluding day of Pitru Paksha (Sarva Pitru Amavasya). However, astrologer Bharat Gyan Bhushan clarifies that this solar eclipse will not be visible in India. It will primarily be observed in European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and over the Pacific Ocean.
While the solar eclipse will not affect ritual timings in India, it will impact those of Indian origin residing in the affected regions. “The solar eclipse will start at 10:59 PM according to Indian time, and the Sutak period traditionally begins 12 hours prior,” explains Bhushan. “Therefore, Indians living in these countries must perform Pitru Visarjan (the final offering to ancestors) before 10:45 AM local time.”
Astrologer Rahul Agrawal notes the rarity of having both a lunar and solar eclipse during Pitru Paksha. “It’s been decades since such an occurrence,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the prescribed timings for Shraddha rituals during this period.
Pitru Paksha is considered a time to express gratitude and reverence to ancestors. Astrologers emphasize the importance of performing Shraddha rituals with sincerity and devotion during this period, while taking into account the impact of the celestial events.
A detailed schedule for Shraddha dates for each day of Pitru Paksha is as follows:
* September 7: Purnima Shraddha (before Sutak)
* September 8: Pratipada
* September 9: Dwitiya
* September 10: Tritiya
* September 11: Chaturthi & Panchami (Panchami after 12:45 PM)
* September 12: Shashti
* September 13: Saptami
* September 14: Ashtami
* September 15: Navami
* September 16: Dashami
* September 17: Ekadashi
* September 18: Dwadashi
* September 19: Trayodashi
* September 20: Chaturdashi
* September 21: Sarva Pitru Amavasya
First Piper 