Bharani Shraddha 2023 Date, Time, Rituals & Significance
The Shraddha ritual is a significant Hindu practice. On this day, worshippers pray for the liberation and tranquility of their ancestors’ souls. In the traditional Hindu calendar, Shraddha pooja is performed during the ‘Pitru Paksha’ (the ancestral fortnight) during the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the waning phase of the moon) in the month of ‘Ashwin’.
Bharani Shraddha is a fortunate ceremony performed during the Pitru Paksha when the ‘Bharani’ Nakshatra is present during the ‘Aparahna Kala.’ This Nakshatra likely predominates during the ‘Chaturthi’ (4th day) or ‘Panchami’ (5th day) tithi and is referred to as ‘Chauth Bharani’ and ‘Bharani Panchami,’ respectively. In addition to the tithi that commemorates the actual date of death, the Shraddha ceremony for a deceased family member can also be performed on the Bharani asterism. This frees the souls of the deceased and grants them eternal serenity.
Bharani Shraddha Date 2023
Monday, October 2, 2023
Rituals of Bharani Shraddha
- According to ‘Dharmasindhu,’ the Bharani Nakshatra Shraddha can also be performed annually after a person’s passing.
- Observers are required to uphold the sanctity of this ritual because it is of great importance and is regarded as extremely fortunate.
- The individual, notably the male head of the family, performs various rites and pujas to grant the departed soul satisfaction and liberation.
- Ceremonies such as ‘Pinda Puja,’ ‘Pinda Daan,’ and ‘Brahmana Suvasini’ are carried out under the direction of a knowledgeable cleric.
- During the Bharani Shraddha, the practitioner must refrain from grooming and shaving and maintain sensory control.
- Brahmins are given’saatvik’ food, treats, clothing, and Dakshina (donation) following the ‘Tarpan’ ceremony.
- This ritual is significant because, according to Hindu mythology, it is believed that the food ingested by Brahmins reaches the souls of the deceased.
- As they are considered Lord Yama’s emissaries, it is customary to feed crows on the day of Bharani Shraddha.
- Additionally, food is provided for dogs and livestock.
- It is believed that the devout and sincere performance of Bharani Shraddha rituals brings serenity to the liberated soul, which in turn bestows protection, prosperity, and tranquility upon their descendants.
Significance of Bharani Shraddha
In numerous Hindu Puranas, such as ‘Matsya Purana,’ ‘Agni Purana,’ and ‘Garuda Purana,’ the significance of Bharani Shraddha and other types of Shraddha puja is described. Bharani Shraddha is a significant day during the Pitru Paksha, also known as ‘Maha Bharani Shraddha.’ Yama, the Hindu god of death, governs over the ‘Bharani’ Nakshatra. It has been stated that Bharani Shraddha possesses the same qualities as Gaya Shraddha.
In addition, it is believed that ancestral rites performed on a Chaturthi or Panchami tithi during the Bharani asterism have a special significance. This is the most observed day of the Pitru Shraddha ritual, second only to the Mahalaya Amavasya.