Most families were never taught the language, calendar or practical questions around ancestor rites. This library helps you arrive at the conversation knowing what to ask.
Five short sections · written for families beginning from the basics
I · The story
Why Gaya is remembered through Gayasura.
गयासुर
Vishnupad Temple, Gaya
A traditional account associated with Gaya tells of Gayasura, whose body became the sacred landscape on which rites for ancestors are remembered. Vishnupad—understood in the tradition as Vishnu’s footprint—stands at the centre of that geography.
The story is not presented here as a scientific or historical claim. It explains how many practitioners and families understand the relationship between the place, generosity and remembrance.
Local practice can vary between families and lineages. A qualified pandit should explain what the tradition means for the rite being considered rather than treating a short web summary as instruction.
II · The fortnight
Lunar days, not fixed calendar boxes.
The current 2026 guide uses 26 September to 10 October for India. A tithi can begin or end within a civil day, and location changes timings, so confirm the applicable window before travel or arrangements.
Purnima
26 Sep
Full-moon remembrance; confirm the local tithi.
Pratipada
27 Sep
First lunar day of the waning fortnight.
Dwitiya
28 Sep
Second lunar day; local timing may vary.
Tritiya
29 Sep
Third lunar day; confirm for the chosen site.
Chaturthi
30 Sep
Fourth lunar day in the 2026 guide.
Panchami
30 Sep
A tithi can begin or end within a civil day.
Shashthi
1 Oct
Sixth lunar day; use a location-aware panchang.
Saptami
2 Oct
Seventh lunar day in the guide sequence.
Ashtami
3 Oct
Eighth lunar day; confirm the applicable window.
Navami
4 Oct
Ninth lunar day in the waning fortnight.
Dashami
5 Oct
Tenth lunar day; family tradition also matters.
Ekadashi
6 Oct
Eleventh lunar day in the 2026 guide.
Dwadashi
7 Oct
Twelfth lunar day; check the local calendar.
Trayodashi
8 Oct
Thirteenth lunar day in the guide sequence.
Chaturdashi
9 Oct
Fourteenth lunar day before Amavasya.
Amavasya
10 Oct
Closing new moon; confirm local observance.
Calendar note: these dates are a planning guide, not a personal muhurat. Confirm the tithi using a location-aware panchang and the family’s tradition.
III · Before a rite
Six questions to take into the conversation.
You do not need all the answers. Use this list to notice what your family knows and what you want a qualified pandit or coordinator to explain.
01
Intention
Sankalpa
What is the family hoping to remember or understand through the rite?
02
Ancestor details
Names and tithi
Which names, relationships, gotra or dates are known, and which details are uncertain?
03
Participation
In person or remote
Who will take part, where are they located, and what language or accessibility support is needed?
04
Site and timing
Place and date
Which sacred site is being considered, and has its local tithi and access been checked?
05
Materials and arrangements
What is included
What will be provided locally, and what should the family prepare separately?
06
Confirmation
What is settled
Which pandit, timing, practical plan and offline terms have actually been put in writing?
IV · The words
Twelve words you may hear.
These plain definitions will help you follow a conversation. A word may be used a little differently across regions and family traditions.
Shradh श्राद्ध
A broad term for acts of remembrance and offering for ancestors; usage varies by tradition.
Pinda पिण्ड
A ritual offering commonly associated with Pind Daan; its form and meaning should be explained by the pandit.
Tarpan तर्पण
A water offering made in remembrance; local and family practice can differ.
Sankalpa संकल्प
A spoken statement of intention and relevant family details at the beginning of a rite.
Tithi तिथि
A lunar day. It does not always align with a midnight-to-midnight civil date.
Gotra गोत्र
A lineage identifier used by some families. Tell the coordinator if it is unknown.
Pitru पितृ
A term used for ancestors or forebears in this context.
Dakshina दक्षिणा
An offering to the practitioner; any amount or recipient should be clarified before payment.
Samagri सामग्री
Materials used for a rite. The exact list depends on the rite, place and practitioner.
Panchang पञ्चाङ्ग
A traditional calendar used to calculate tithi and other time-specific details for a location.
Amavasya अमावस्या
The new-moon tithi; it has particular associations in many remembrance traditions.
Vidhivat विधिवत्
A word meaning in the prescribed manner; the applicable procedure requires qualified religious guidance.
V · How we write these guides
How we try to keep the guidance honest.
Religious traditions, lunar dates and local conditions deserve different kinds of checking. These are the five standards we follow.
शा
Name the tradition or source
When we make a religious or textual claim, we should say where it comes from and who has reviewed it.
पं
Leave family guidance to a qualified pandit
A web page can explain a term. It cannot decide suitability or interpret a family’s tradition.
ति
Check the tithi for the place
Lunar timings are calculated for the relevant location and date, not copied as one universal schedule.
स्था
Check the place again before travel
Access, mobility, photography, weather and seasonal conditions can change and should be checked for your date.
सी
Separate learning from arrangements
The Blog and guides help you understand. A conversation is still needed to know what can be arranged at a particular place.
Take your questions into a real conversation.
Tell us what your family knows and what remains unclear. We will help you find the next person or place to ask.
