Pitrupaksha, also known as the ‘fortnight of the ancestors’, is a 16-day period in the Hindu calendar, usually falling between September and October. During this time, Hindus pay respects to their ancestors through various rituals. It’s considered a period of remembrance and homage, albeit marked as inauspicious due to its connection with death. Pitrupaksha ends with Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya, followed by the beginning of the auspicious Navaratri festival. This period emphasizes respect for familial lineage and ancestral heritage.