Pitru Paksha 2022: Foods you should never eat during Pitri Paksha/Shraddh

It’s that time of the year, when Hindus observe Shraddh/Pitru Paksha, a 15-day ritual to remember and pray for their ancestors. This 15-day ritual is observed before Navratri and it is believed that performing puja and praying for the departed souls on these days helps in seeking their blessings.

As per the Hindu tradition, praying and performing the rituals during Pitru Paksha hold utmost importance as the offerings are believed to reach the ancestors in Pitru Lok. But there are some foods that one must never eat during the Shraddh/Pitru Paksha. Here is all you need to know about Pitru Paksha.

This year Pitru Paksha began on the 10th September 2022 and will continue till 25th september 2022. Pitru Paksha falls on the purnima tithi of Shukla Paksha and ends on the Sarva Pitru Amavasya, which happens to be the Amavasya Tithi of Krishna Paksha.

Food and offerings play an important part of the ceremonies, which is why food prepared for the family is first served to the crows and then to the priests. In fact, the crow is also associated with Lord Yama the keeper of Pitrulok. It is believed that these rituals are essential to ensure the deceased embark the next journey of their life. During these 15 days there are certain foods that must be avoided to ensure that the rituals are observed in the right way.

Onion and garlic

During this time it is advised to avoid Rajasic and Tamasic foods. These foods increase the heat of the body and must be kept far from the person performing ceremonies.

As per Hindu tradition, non vegetarian food is believed to be Tamasic and it must be avoided at any cost during the month of Pitru Paksha.

Wheat is an integral part of most Indian cuisines, but do you know, raw grains, rice, dal, legumes are not allowed to be consumed raw during this month. However, these foods can be relished after cooking.

Another essential part of our day-to-day diet are split lentils like masoor dal, chickpeas, it is believed that the person sitting for the shradh must avoid eating these two lentils.