How We Determine the Shraaddha Tithi and Date

The date for Shraaddha or Pitr Karya is not determined simply by checking which Tithi appears on a calendar. A Tithi may begin or end during the day, and the appropriate date depends upon whether that Tithi is sufficiently available during the time traditionally suitable for performing the Karya.

Our calculation therefore considers the actual beginning and ending times of the Tithi, together with the practical requirements of Shraaddha, Brahmana Bhojana and Annadana.

Madhyahna Kala

For a regular Shraaddha followed by Annadana, Madhyahna Kala is given preference. The requested Tithi must be continuously available for at least 72 minutes between 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM.

The Shraaddha should be able to begin no later than 12:15 PM, allowing sufficient time for the Karya and Annadana. A Tithi beginning later in the morning may still qualify—for example, one beginning at 12:01 PM—provided the required qualifying period remains available.

Poorvahna Kala

We also independently evaluate Poorvahna Kala. Here, the requested Tithi must be continuously available for at least 72 minutes between Cary sunrise and 11:30 AM.

This option is particularly suitable when the family wishes to perform the Karya in the morning, either without Annadana or with sufficient time between the ritual and lunch.

Because Madhyahna and Poorvahna are evaluated independently, two dates may sometimes be recommended. If the same date satisfies both requirements, it is identified as suitable for both.

Ekadashi and Dwadashi

When the remembered Tithi is Ekadashi, Pitr Karya is performed on the associated Dwadashi. We first identify the appropriate Ekadashi occurrence and then evaluate the corresponding Dwadashi according to the same timing rules.

Upavasa, Harivasara and Parane

A day explicitly designated as Upavasa is normally avoided for Shraaddha, and the Karya is moved to the following suitable day.

Harivasara is treated as an extension of the fasting period. Shraaddha cannot begin until the published Harivasara ending time, and at least 72 qualifying minutes must remain afterward.

When the Panchanga specifically identifies Paranam or Parane, Poorvahna Karya is preferred when Annadana is included, so that Brahmanas who have observed the fast are not made to wait unnecessarily for their meal.

Eclipses and Sankramana

Eclipses are also considered when determining suitability. The period beginning nine hours before the eclipse, continuing through the eclipse and extending one additional hour afterward for the Acharya's Snana and Pooja is treated as unavailable for the Karya.

For solar-month Shraaddha, the exact Sankramana time is important. The complete qualifying Tithi period must fall within the selected solar month. The time before Sankramana belongs to the outgoing solar month, while the time afterward belongs to the incoming month.

When a Tithi Occurs Twice

For the solar calendar followers: Occasionally, the same Tithi occurs twice within the same solar month. Both occurrences are significant and should be honored. The earlier occurrence may be observed with a simple family Shraaddha or at least Tila Tarpana. If only one occurrence is chosen for the fuller Shraaddha, the later occurrence is preferred.

For the lunar calendar followers: Similarly, when the Tithi occurs in both Adhika Masa and Nija Masa, both should be honored, with Nija Masa preferred for the fuller observance.

Our Guiding Principle

The purpose of this calculation is not merely to identify the date on which a Tithi touches the civil day. We seek a date on which the remembered Tithi is meaningfully present during the proper Karya Kala, while also respecting fasting observances, Harivasara, eclipses, Sankramana and the practical requirements of Shraaddha and Annadana.

In this way, the recommended date reflects both Panchanga principles and the practical requirements of performing Pitr Karya properly.