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Recurring observance · San Francisco Bay Area
Ancestor rites
Why it matters
Part of the annual ancestor-remembrance period, this observance gives families an opportunity to express gratitude and perform duties toward departed forebears.
The story behind it
Pitru Paksha traditions teach that remembrance, charity and prescribed śrāddha/tarpana rites honor ancestors and reinforce continuity between generations.
Prayers and worship
Tarpana with water and sesame, śrāddha mantras, pinda offerings and prayers for ancestral peace are common; exact rites depend strongly on family tradition and priestly guidance.
Fasting and devotional customs
Families may invite a priest, feed guests or Brahmins, give charity and maintain a simple sattvic routine. The specific tithi is often chosen according to the ancestor’s lunar death date.
What is typically offered
Water, black sesame, darbha grass, rice or pinda, simple food, lamps and charitable offerings.
Visiting a temple that day
These are usually quiet family rites rather than public festivals. Temple priests may offer scheduled tarpanam or śrāddha services. Temple practices vary by region and sampradaya. Dress modestly, remove footwear where required, follow priest/volunteer directions, ask before photography, and check the temple’s event page for exact pooja, fasting and prasādam arrangements.
Spiritual themes
Gratitude, remembrance, family duty, continuity and compassion.
Every Ancestor rites date, 2026–2027
Bay Area dates
- 26 Sep 2026Pratipada Shraddhanext
- 27 Sep 2026Dwitiya Shraddha
- 28 Sep 2026Tritiya Shraddha
- 29 Sep 2026Chaturthi Shraddha
- 30 Sep 2026Maha Bharani Shraddha
- 30 Sep 2026Panchami Shraddha
- 1 Oct 2026Shashthi Shraddha
- 2 Oct 2026Saptami Shraddha
- 3 Oct 2026Ashtami Shraddha
- 4 Oct 2026Navami Shraddha / Matru Navami
- 5 Oct 2026Dashami Shraddha
- 6 Oct 2026Ekadashi Shraddha
- 7 Oct 2026Dwadashi Shraddha / Sannyasi Shraddha
- 8 Oct 2026Magha Shraddha
- 8 Oct 2026Trayodashi Shraddha
- 9 Oct 2026Chaturdashi Shraddha / Ghat Chaturdashi
- 9 Oct 2026Sarva Pitru Amavasya / Mahalaya
- 16 Sep 2027Pratipada Shraddha
- 17 Sep 2027Dwitiya Shraddha
- 18 Sep 2027Tritiya Shraddha
- 19 Sep 2027Chaturthi Shraddha
- 20 Sep 2027Maha Bharani Shraddha
- 20 Sep 2027Panchami Shraddha
- 21 Sep 2027Shashthi Shraddha
- 22 Sep 2027Saptami Shraddha
- 23 Sep 2027Ashtami Shraddha
- 24 Sep 2027Navami Shraddha / Matru Navami
- 25 Sep 2027Dashami Shraddha
- 25 Sep 2027Ekadashi Shraddha
- 26 Sep 2027Dwadashi Shraddha / Sannyasi Shraddha
- 27 Sep 2027Magha Shraddha
- 27 Sep 2027Trayodashi Shraddha
- 28 Sep 2027Chaturdashi Shraddha / Ghat Chaturdashi
- 29 Sep 2027Sarva Pitru Amavasya / Mahalaya
Request an ancestral remembrance
Sri Kumar Gurukkal performs Śrāddha, Tarpaṇam and the Pitṛ Pakṣa observances for families remembering their forebears, at your home or at a temple.
Request a poojaOpen the full calendarHe does not perform funeral rites themselves — antyesti, cremation or last rites. For those, your family priest or your temple will guide you.
Every Ancestor rites date in your calendar
Subscribe to just this observance and each date appears in your own calendar app, with a link back here.
Subscribe to Ancestor rites Download .icsThese are recurring observances whose dates follow the tithi at a particular moment of the day (sunrise, sunset, moonrise or midnight), computed for the Fremont / Bay Area location. Fasting rules and exact windows differ by lineage — please confirm with Sri Kumar Gurukkal or your family priest. How these dates are calculated →