Pitru Paksha 2024: Why Crows Are Fed During Shraddha Karma – News18

In Pitru Paksha, special emphasis is given to performing rituals like Pind Daan, Shraddha Karma and Tarpana, to provide peace to the souls of our ancestors. In Pitru Paksha, it is considered auspicious to feed the crows. A Haridwar-based astrologer Pandit Shridhar Shastri has revealed the reason behind it to Local 18 Uttarakhand. The astrologer said that as per the religious texts, crows never die a natural death, nor do they die of any disease or old age. According to the Garuda Purana, crows die suddenly. The day this bird dies, the crows in his flock do not eat food. In religious texts, crows are considered a symbol of ancestors and hence feeding crows during Pitru Paksha is given vital importance. When Pind Daan and Shraddha Karma rituals of ancestors are performed, a sacrificial offering is taken out from it. This is eventually fed to crows. Only after this step, the Shraddha Karma ritual is considered complete. The complete importance of crows is written in religious texts and Garuda Purana.

Pandit Shastri said that according to religious beliefs, crows had consumed the nectar along with the gods. Thus, the ancestor’s spirits easily entered the crows. These birds reach from one place to another and cover long distances without getting exhausted.

As per the Hindu calendar, Pitru Paksha starts from the full moon day of Bhadrapada month. It ends on the new moon day of Ashwin month. This year, Pitru Paksha will begin on September 17 and will end on October 2. As per religious beliefs, these 16 days in between both dates are believed to be special for worshipping ancestors and attaining peace and blessings. These days are called Shraddha Karma.

As per the religious beliefs, during Pitru Paksha, the ancestor’s souls descend on earth in their families. During this time, if their family members perform Pind Daan, Shraddha rituals and Tarpana, they become happy and bless the family for happiness and prosperity.