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AI Summary
The annual Shraddh is always done by the tithi of death, not the tithi of cremation. The rule of the cremation tithi is only for an Agnihotri, and even then only for the ten days of funeral rites. If the tithi is not remembered, if death was on Purnima or Chaturdashi, if Ekadashi falls, or if death was in an accident — the shastras give separate rules for each.
Video (Hindi) · from 7:11The tithi of Shraddh: the tithi of death or of cremation? — and what to do if the tithi is not knownWatch on YouTube →
Key Takeaways
- The annual and Pitru Paksha Shraddh are done by the tithi of death
- The cremation tithi applies only in the ten-day rites of an Agnihotri
- The tithi running at the time of death is taken — not the udaya tithi
- The Shraddh for a death on Purnima is done on Dwadashi or Amavasya
- The Shraddh for a death by accident, drowning or fire is done on Chaturdashi
The most common confusion
In many areas a custom has arisen of performing Shraddh on the tithi on which the cremation took place. Dr. Gyanendra Sharma makes this clear.
The difference between the tithi of death and of cremation
If someone’s body was left after sunset, mukhagni is not given that day. The cremation takes place the next day.
- The tithi on which the body was left — that is the tithi of death
- The tithi on which the cremation took place — that is the tithi of cremation
What the rule is
The rule of the cremation tithi is only for an Agnihotri. An Agnihotri is one who is a Brahmin by birth and samskara, whose yajnopavit was done on time, who recites the Veda, and who never lets the fire of his wedding go out at home, keeping it for daily havan. With that same fire his last rites are performed in the end.
And even for an Agnihotri, the cremation tithi is taken only for the ten days of funeral rites — Dashagatra, Ekadashah, Dwadashah.
For everyone, the annual Shraddh and the Shraddh of Pitru Paksha are done only by the tithi of death.
He recalls the words of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita —
यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः ।
न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ॥
Meaning — One who abandons the rule of the shastras and acts as he pleases attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the highest goal.
How to count the tithi
The tithi running at the time of death is taken. The rule of the udaya tithi does not apply here.
Example: someone’s body was left at 8 pm. Navami had been running since morning, but Dashami began before 8 pm. So the tithi of death will be taken as Dashami.
What if you have been doing it by the cremation tithi until now?
The simple answer for them is — "let the past be past, take care of what is ahead." Now that you know, do it by the tithi of death from now on.
Special situations
| Situation | When to do Shraddh |
|---|---|
| The tithi is not remembered at all | On Amavasya — the Amavasya of Magh or Aghan is mentioned; there is also a rule for Bhadrapad |
| Death on Purnima | On Dwadashi or Amavasya — because the fortnight of the ancestors is the dark fortnight, and Purnima does not fall in it |
| Death on Chaturdashi in the normal way | Parvan Shraddh on Dwadashi or Amavasya; Ekoddishta (annual) on Chaturdashi |
| Accident, drowning, fire, or martyrdom | On Chaturdashi — it is kept for these very cases |
| Death on Ekadashi | Best on Dwadashi; not forbidden on Ekadashi either — see below |
If Ekadashi falls
Kheer is considered necessary in Shraddh, and rice is not cooked on Ekadashi. So it is best to do it on Dwadashi.
If it is done on Ekadashi itself, the rule is this: the food left after Shraddh has to be taken by the performer. The Ekadashi fast too is a daily-duty fast. So the authors of the shastras gave this path — smell that food, do not eat it. Smelling it brings the fruit. Break the fast the next day after feeding the Brahmin.
To read about this subject in detail, see Dr. Gyanendra Sharma’s book Pitru-Karm Shraddh-Mimansa, and the complete guide to Pitru Paksha is here.
*Source — this article is based on a video discussion by Dr. Gyanendra Sharma (video link above, in Hindi). The tithi and muhurta of Shraddh change every year — decide them only after checking with your own panchang and family purohit.*
Listen to Dr. Gyanendra Sharma (in Hindi)from 7:11 in the video · on YouTubeLooking for personal guidance? Get your birth chart analysed.
Book a consultationFrequently asked questions
Should Shraddh be done by the tithi of death or of cremation? +
The annual Shraddh and the Shraddh of Pitru Paksha are always done by the tithi of death. The rule of the cremation tithi is only for an Agnihotri, and even then only for the ten days of funeral rites.
How is the tithi of death decided? +
The tithi running at the time of death is the tithi of death. The rule of the udaya tithi does not apply here.
When should Shraddh be done if the tithi of death is not remembered? +
It can be done on Amavasya. The shastras mention the Amavasya of the month of Magh or Aghan, and there is also a rule for the month of Bhadrapad.
When should Shraddh be done if death was in an accident? +
The Shraddh for a death caused by an accident, drowning, burning or martyrdom is done on Chaturdashi.
When is the Shraddh if death was on Purnima? +
On Dwadashi or Amavasya, because the fortnight of the ancestors is the dark fortnight and Purnima does not fall in it.