Shradh Samagri List & Pitru Paksha Do's and Don'ts

Getting ready for Pitru Paksha 2026? This is the complete Shradh samagri list — everything you need for tarpan, pind daan and the Shraddha meal — along with the traditional Pitru Paksha rules, do's and don'ts that most families and priests follow, including what to eat, what to avoid, and what to give in charity. The list is a practical checklist drawn from widely used traditional sources; the exact items vary by family and region, so add or drop things according to your own kulachar (family custom).

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Shradh Samagri List — The Essentials

• Kusha (darbha) grass — for the seat, the ring (pavitri) worn on the finger, and the pindas. It is regarded as the purest ritual grass.
• Black sesame (kala til) — the essential offering in tarpan and pind daan.
• White sesame — used by some families alongside black.
• Water in a copper (or brass/silver) vessel; Gangajal if available.
• Rice and/or barley flour (jau) for the pindas.
• Ghee, honey and milk — mixed into the pindas.
• Kala urad (black gram) and panchmeva (five dry fruits) — used in some traditions' offerings.
• Flowers and tulsi leaves, incense, a ghee lamp with cotton wicks, and camphor.
• Cloth — a clean white cloth for the offering, and new clothes to donate.
• Plates or leaf-plates (patravali) or vessels of copper/brass/silver for the food.
• Uncooked grains, fruits and sweets for donation (dakshina).

The Shraddha Meal — What Is Traditionally Cooked

Shraddha food is simple, freshly cooked, vegetarian, and made without onion and garlic. Commonly listed dishes are kheer (sweet rice pudding), rice and dal, seasonal vegetables (regional lists mention gourd, pumpkin and cluster beans), roti or puri, khichdi, fruits and a sweet. Many families also cook a favourite dish of the departed person. The meal is offered first — after the panchabali portions are set aside — and only then eaten by the family.

Pitru Paksha Rules — What Tradition Asks

1. Perform Shraddha on the ancestor's death-tithi (see our 2026 tithi calendar), or on Sarva Pitru Amavasya if it is unknown.
2. Time it for the afternoon (Kutup, Rohina, Aparahna) — not the early morning or after sunset.
3. Keep it simple and sincere: a lavish event is not required; the family may offer food, charity, or prayer according to means and faith.
4. Eat sattvic: vegetarian food without onion and garlic through the fortnight (and certainly on Shraddha day).
5. Feed others first: the cow, crow, dog, and the guest are served before the family sits down.

Do's During Pitru Paksha

• Remember and speak of your ancestors with gratitude.
• Offer tarpan (water with sesame) daily, or at least on the tithi day.
• Light a lamp and recite the ancestral mantra "Om Pitribhyah Swadha".
• Feed cows, crows, dogs, and ants; feed a Brahmin or someone in need.
• Give charity — grain, clothes, or money — as your means allow.
• Keep the home clean, speak gently, and maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
• Read a spiritual text such as the Garuda Purana, Bhagavad Gita, or Vishnu Sahasranama.

Don'ts During Pitru Paksha

• Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, tobacco, and other intoxicants.
• Avoid onion, garlic, stale food, and very heavily spiced food on Shraddha day.
• Avoid anger, quarrels, abusive language, lying, and disrespect to elders, women, or the needy.
• Do not disrespect the Shraddha food — never waste, drop, or contaminate it.
• Many families postpone weddings, engagements, housewarmings, naming ceremonies, and major purchases (gold, property, vehicles) until the fortnight ends.
• The person performing the Shraddha typically avoids haircuts, shaving, and nail-cutting.
• Do not cut trees or plants, especially tulsi.

An honest note on the "don'ts": these are customs, not universal laws. Some families are stricter; others, especially in cities, are more flexible — for instance many still make necessary purchases. The spirit that all sources agree on is respect, restraint, and remembrance, so follow the practice of your own family and priest.

Charity (Daan) — What Is Commonly Given

Grain (rice, wheat), clothes, sesame, ghee, an umbrella or footwear, a cow's fodder, and money are all traditional donations, given to a Brahmin, a needy family, or an organisation that feeds people or animals. The amount matters far less than the sincerity — small, consistent giving is considered as valid as a large gift.

Once your samagri is ready, follow the method in Shraddha Vidhi: Tarpan & Pind Daan Step by Step. To understand the meaning behind all this, read What Is Shraddha? Pitru Paksha Meaning & Significance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a steel vessel for Shraddha?

Many families prefer copper, brass, silver, or bronze vessels; where those are unavailable, clean vessels or leaf-plates are commonly accepted. Ask your priest for your tradition's preference.

Is banana leaf used for the Shraddha meal?

It varies. Some regional descriptions mention banana leaves, while many Maharashtrian sources say banana leaf is avoided for Shraddha and leaf-plates or metal plates are used.

Can I buy new clothes or gold during Pitru Paksha?

Traditional advice is to postpone major and celebratory purchases until after Sarva Pitru Amavasya, but families differ; essential purchases are commonly made.

What should I feed the crow?

A little of the freshly cooked Shraddha food — rice, a sweet, and a portion of each dish — placed in a clean spot outdoors or on the terrace.

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