The term Shraddha (or Shraaddha) refers to a Hindu ritual that is performed to pay homage to ones ancestors. It is a ceremony performed in honor of a dead ancestor and is both a social and religious responsibility enjoined on all male Hindus. The word Shraddha has originated from shraddha (faith) and is performed with all sincerity and absolute faith in it. It is performed for the entire community of pitr – both from paternal and maternal side – collectively during the Pitru Paksha or Shraaddha paksha (Fortnight of ancestors), right before Sharad Navaratri in autumn. The ceremony is performed by the son of the deceased individual, and if he is absent, other options are explored. There is no specific English word for Shraddha.