Pitra Paksha starts from the full moon tithi of Bhadra month. It ends on the new moon day of Ashwin month. Then read Devipaksha. During this period the ancestors take water from the hands of the descendants. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention so that the ancestors are not displeased at this time. Otherwise, a serious crisis may come down in your life. According to scriptures, patriarchs are pleased to light lamps in five places of the house during this time.
- During these few days lamps should be lit in front of the ancestral house.
- Light a lamp in front of the front door of the house every evening during Pitru Paksha.
- Every evening you can light a lamp on the south side of the house.
- You can light the lamp in the south side as well as in the northeast corner of the house.
- If there is an Ashwath tree in the house, it is mandatory to light a lamp around it. The ancestors were happy with that.
The mythic gravity of Pitra Paksha is hidden in a touching anecdote from the Mahabharata. Mahavira Karna went to heaven after his death. There he was given a lot of gold and jewels instead of food. Amazed, Karna asked Devaraja Indra the reason for this. Indra said that Karna had given only gold and wealth throughout his life. Never offered food and water to ancestors. Karna humbly said that he did not know his birth identity. So he couldn't pay homage to his father by being forced. Sensing Karna's longing, Devraj allowed him to return to mortal life for 15 days. For those 15 days, Karna devotedly donated food, clothes and sesame water to the ancestors. That 15 days of Karna's pious sacrifice in the mortal world is forever remembered as Pitra Paksha in the scriptures.
On October 10, Saturday, Sarvapitra Amavasya or Mahalaya will be celebrated. This is the last lagna of the father. Those who do not know the specific date or time of their ancestors' death, according to the scriptures, they can perform Tarpana and Shraddhakarma on this Sarvapitra Amavasya. It also has an equal amount of merit.