Kathmandu, Sept 18: A large crowd of devotees has gathered at Gokarneshwar Uttar Gaya Dham to observe the start of the sixteen Shraddha rituals, also known as Pitru Paksha. On the first day, many came to perform Pratipada Shraddha, offering tributes to their ancestors.

According to Jairam Mahat, chairman of Gokarneshwar Municipality-4 and head of the temple management committee, many devotees who have camped in the capital are attending the rituals. Sixteen Shraddhas begin annually from Ashwin Krishna Pratipada and continue until Ashwin Shukla Pratipada. Devotees perform Tarpan, Sida Dan, and Pinda to honor their departed ancestors during this period.

Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a theologian and member of the Nepal Panchang Adjudicatory Development Committee, explained that this time is also referred to as Apar or Pret Paksha. As per Vedic Sanatan Hindu tradition, ancestors are remembered with respect before major festivals. It is believed that the ancestors eagerly await these offerings during this period.

Theologian Prof. Dr. Ramachandra Gautam highlighted the importance of performing Shraddha, stating that failure to do so is considered a serious fault in the scriptures. According to him, the rituals should be performed in the afternoon, and several scriptural alternatives exist if the sixteen Shraddhas are not completed.

With the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, Durga Paksha, or Bada Dashain, will commence. It is a long-standing tradition to perform Shraddha before celebrating major festivals like Bada Dashain to seek the blessings of the ancestors.