Pitru Paksha is a fortnight-long auspicious period before the Mahalaya Amavasya during which Hindus pay respects to their deceased ancestors by performing Shraddha and other poojas. The Shraddha ritual is performed to remember and pray for any deceased family member. During Pitru Paksha, prayers and ritualistic offering of food and water is performed for all the ancestors to appease their souls and wish for them to attain salvation.

During Pitru Paksha, it is believed that the souls of deceased ancestors visit their descendants in some form or other. To avoid offending them, people are required to follow a pious and disciplined routine during this time. It is also the time when people can do penance and follow Vedic customs to overcome Pitru Dosha by offering prayers to their ancestors.

Most of the religious duties during the Pitru Paksha are carried out by the male family member. By seeking the guidance of learned purohits, appropriate rituals and remedies can be carried out during this period. The purohits will advise rituals to be performed during the fortnight and they will preside over the Shraddha ceremony to facilitate the repayment of spiritual and existential debt owed by the present descendants to previous generations.

It is also a time for generosity and those who diligently follow the rituals will benefit from the blessings and protection offered by their ancestors.