August 29, 2025
Common Mistakes to Avoid While in Shradh
1. Celebrations
Shradh is such a period for mourning and paying respects to those souls who have finally exhaled. No kind of celebrations must be done, like marriages, first floor-decking ceremonies, birthdays, etc. Taking part in such celebrations during the said time of observance is considered a gross disrespect to the spirit of the observance.
2. Don't Buy New Things
All new things like garments, electronics, home decor items, utensils, and even the property on Shradh is strictly prohibited. All this during such a period should not be engaged in for it is really not favorable as Shradh wants people to be simple, contemplate upon life, and their dead relatives.
3. Not to Offer Food to Ancestors
An essential component of Shradh is that of the provision of food, which is called Pind Daan. The food is to be offered to the ancestors, and it is thought that not doing this is a major lapse. Take care that you make the food with proper devotion.
4. Disrespecting Brahmins
It is considered an acceptable practice to express respect by offering the Brahmins food and gifts during Shradh. Failure to do this or to offer insults to the Brahmins is considered insult to the ancestors. Showing them reverence as they are believed to possess the spirits of the dead ones.
5. Cooking with Garlic and Onion
Foodstuffs to be offered should not contain garlic and onion because they are of the tamasic energy. Food must be simple, hence garlic or onion must not be part of it.
6. Cleanliness
Cleanliness is very paramount in Shradh. Dirt is believed to deter the holiness of rituals. The venue for ritual performance and house, in general should be spotless and uncluttered.
7 Failure not to Perform Tarpan
Not performing tarpan also goes against the prescription of this ritual. The ritual must ensure that the elements are appeased so that it may as well accept the offerings. Tarpan is the oblation of water to ancestors and constitutes a part of Shradh. Failing to offer this may be seen as a form of incomplete worship because they are regarded as an expression of gratitude and respect to the dead.
8. Hair Cutting or Nail Cutting
To avoid any form of body grooming, such as haircuts, shaving, or cutting of nails during Shradh. It is believed that during Shradh, the fleshly activities of a person can disturb the sacredness of the time, and therefore should be delayed till after it is over.
9. Preparing Non-Vegetarian Food
The act of eating or preparing non-vegetarian food is considered a disregarding act during Shradh. Meals should be vegetarian, reverently prepared and are to be offered to the ancestors while performing the ritual.
Conclusion
Shradh is considered a sacred period and should not be performed with negligence as one must abide by every ritual and customs. This helps avoid common mistakes while performing the rites by paying respect to the dead and maintaining peace and prosperity in the family. Devoid of any impurity or attachment, when Shradh is observed with devotion, blessings from ancestors become a lifelong affair for generations to enjoy.
Shradh is such a period for mourning and paying respects to those souls who have finally exhaled. No kind of celebrations must be done, like marriages, first floor-decking ceremonies, birthdays, etc. Taking part in such celebrations during the said time of observance is considered a gross disrespect to the spirit of the observance.
2. Don't Buy New Things
All new things like garments, electronics, home decor items, utensils, and even the property on Shradh is strictly prohibited. All this during such a period should not be engaged in for it is really not favorable as Shradh wants people to be simple, contemplate upon life, and their dead relatives.
3. Not to Offer Food to Ancestors
An essential component of Shradh is that of the provision of food, which is called Pind Daan. The food is to be offered to the ancestors, and it is thought that not doing this is a major lapse. Take care that you make the food with proper devotion.
4. Disrespecting Brahmins
It is considered an acceptable practice to express respect by offering the Brahmins food and gifts during Shradh. Failure to do this or to offer insults to the Brahmins is considered insult to the ancestors. Showing them reverence as they are believed to possess the spirits of the dead ones.
5. Cooking with Garlic and Onion
Foodstuffs to be offered should not contain garlic and onion because they are of the tamasic energy. Food must be simple, hence garlic or onion must not be part of it.
6. Cleanliness
Cleanliness is very paramount in Shradh. Dirt is believed to deter the holiness of rituals. The venue for ritual performance and house, in general should be spotless and uncluttered.
7 Failure not to Perform Tarpan
Not performing tarpan also goes against the prescription of this ritual. The ritual must ensure that the elements are appeased so that it may as well accept the offerings. Tarpan is the oblation of water to ancestors and constitutes a part of Shradh. Failing to offer this may be seen as a form of incomplete worship because they are regarded as an expression of gratitude and respect to the dead.
8. Hair Cutting or Nail Cutting
To avoid any form of body grooming, such as haircuts, shaving, or cutting of nails during Shradh. It is believed that during Shradh, the fleshly activities of a person can disturb the sacredness of the time, and therefore should be delayed till after it is over.
9. Preparing Non-Vegetarian Food
The act of eating or preparing non-vegetarian food is considered a disregarding act during Shradh. Meals should be vegetarian, reverently prepared and are to be offered to the ancestors while performing the ritual.
Conclusion
Shradh is considered a sacred period and should not be performed with negligence as one must abide by every ritual and customs. This helps avoid common mistakes while performing the rites by paying respect to the dead and maintaining peace and prosperity in the family. Devoid of any impurity or attachment, when Shradh is observed with devotion, blessings from ancestors become a lifelong affair for generations to enjoy.