What is Tarpan?
What is Tarpan?
It is a ritual done in the morning before Shraddha Karma. Tarpan means gratifying the ancestors. It is usually done near a river or at a suitable place at home. Here with chanting of ‘mantras’ one offers water with flower, sesame seeds and other articles as required. It is as believed that Tarpan will satisfy the departed souls’ desires and help them to progress in their Journey. Tarpan can be done in the name of all the departed souls offamily and relatives.
How is ‘Shraddha’ performed?
The ‘Karta’ or the son/daughter who performs the shraddha invites Brahmans, performs the ritual according to his family tradition with ‘Pindadaan’ with ‘rice’ or ‘atta’. These pindas are offered to father, grandfather and great grandfather/mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Offering is also done to maternal grandfather, great grandfather etc.
After the ‘Pindadaan’, the Karta also extends hospitality to the priests or Brahmans.
Shraaddha is a word derived from Sanskrit. It is a lovely ritual to show our adorance to our departed souls. It is a way to show the heartfelt gratitude to one’s parents for their eternal peace in heaven.
After the death of one’s father or/and mother, this ritual is performed on their respective ‘tithi’ according to the Hindu calendar every year.
What is ‘Shraaddha’ in
Hindu rituals??
When and Where Shraaddha
is done??
It is the eternal duty of offspring to observe this ritual 3 times a year:
Pitru Shraaddha – The date of one’s father’s demise according to the Hindu Calendar
Matru Shraaddha –The date of one’s mother’s demise according to the Hindu Calendar
Mahalaya Shraaddha –It is done during ‘Durga Puja’ which is also called ‘Pitru Pakhya’. The day may be selected by the Karta(The one who is doing the puja)