Pitru Paksha is a 16-day period in the Hindu calendar when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, especially through food offerings. It is also known as Pitri Paksha/Pitr-Paksha, Pitri Pokkho, Sorah Shraddha ("sixteen shraddhas"), Kanagat, Jitiya, Apara Paksha, and akhadpak, Pitru Pandharavda or pitru paksh (in Marathi). Pitru Paksha is considered inauspicious due to the death rites performed during the ceremony, known as Shraddha or Tarpana.

The period falls in the second paksha (fortnight) of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September) and follows the fortnight immediately after Ganesh Utsav. It begins on the Pratipada (first day of the fortnight) ending with the no moon day known as Sarvapitri Amavasya, Pitri Amavasya, Peddala Amavasya, or Mahalaya Amavasya.

During Pitru Paksha, Hindus perform special religious rites to honor their ancestors and express gratitude to those who have come before us and left for us a legacy of their wisdom, protection, love, or material wealth. A traditional observance during Pitru Paksha is performing charitable works on behalf of our ancestors, such as giving food to people in need, honoring the sannyasis or monks, giving money to support the education of children and young people in need, and carrying forward or giving to the charitable works our ancestors performed.

This year, Pitru Paksha began on September 29 and ended on October 14.