Sarva Pitru Shraddha is and can be performed by all for the ancestors who passed on Amavasya, Poornima, on both sides of the family and for those ancestors whose Tithi (Indian calender dates) you do not remember.
So say for example you remember one or two people’s dates for shraddha but you do not know or do not remember your great grand parents dates of passing, then the last day of shraddha which is know as sarva pittru shraddha is to be used to cook and feed the pancha maha bhoot so all the ancestors can come together just like a big party for the ancestors and enjoy the day at your place. Give you/us blessings for Health,wealth,happiness,peace, progeny and prosperity etc. Remember to cook with lot of love whatever you can and offer.
Until next time. Please shre and pass it on to he next generation.
Just a simple basic video of some tips for following the days of shraddha /poonam and amavasya shraddha,and platter placement for the panch maha bhoot (the birds/animals etc) for our ancestors. This video includes some small snips of a couple recipes I use for my platter but the main purpose of this video is to show the placement of the recipes for the shraddha platter. So the recipes are not in detail. Those videos will follow later in the posts. Please follow your family customs if you have/know them. Follow this video if you are looking to learn or do not know or remember your family customs for he shraddha platter.
Typically and traditionally, we are supposed to cook the recipes on the day that was dear to our ancestors. SO cook what ever was the favorite recipe for the person youare cooking for. That said, we have whole series of the most commonly used/popularly cooked recipes for shraddha /pitrupaksha on the blog that you can also use to cook. Here we have a series of 7 videos to cook an entire gujrati meal platter. Remember to cook after shower in the morning and try to place your plate before noon time out on the deck backyard or feed the crows, cows,dog and birds before 11.30 or 12 noon.
For placing the plate on the deck for the birds, here’s how the placement works.
At the bottom place the rice then spread daal and shaak on top of this place the pieces of puri, bhajia/dhokla etc and at the end pour the dudhpaak, or rus or any other dessert you ahve cooked/made. Now last but not the least place small amount of chutney /pickle and place the plate on the terrace, deck or backyard of your home. First put a few drops of water on the floor where u r about to place the plate. then mentally invite the ancestors for the feast and ask for their blessings. Next place the plate on the area and circle a few drops of water around the plate. Bow your head and imagine the ancestors are accepting the invitation and coming to enjoy the feast in the form of crows/birds/squirrels etc. and slowly leave the spot so the birds can enjoy the food. Now enjoy the meal with your family in the house. Later in the evening when the plate is empty bring it in.
Thaali(Plate) Western Indian Vegetarian Meal platter
Typically we have one sweet, one farsaan and puri, and daal bhaat shaak. Add pickles, chutneys according to whatever was the person’s favorite. It needs to be customized according to your family and the person you are cooking for.
Most importantly it involves cooking Dudhpaak, Kadhi, Puri, and daal bhaat shaak and bhajia. Feel free to add any other recipes for your ancestors. and use andy and all recipes you wish from the blog as well. Here is the meal platter link http://pratibhajanisvegetarianrecipes.com/cooking-a-gujrati-mealplatter/
Shraddha Paksha(Pitrupaksha) Pitru shraddha. (The day for remembering our ancestors)
In Hindu culture, Once a year, every year, comes Shraddha Paksha. (The Ancestors’ forthnight). The time to pay respects, perform some religious ceremony and remember our ancestors – Known as Pitrtus, honor their wisdom, sacrifices and their being that have helped us come into this world and be what we are today. On the day of their particular shraddha day, It is believed that if we cook their favorite food and offer to the Pancha maha bhoot- birds/crows, cows, dogs, give some to children, the temple priest, the poor etc, the ancestors will be fully satisfied where ever they are for the next one year and will have a happy and fulfilling life no matter where they are at this time. They will shower blessings of happiness, health and prosperity upon us and our family of future generations. Starting tomorrow, for the next 15 days, in Hindu calendar we offer prayers, respects to the dearly departed ancestors of our family. They have done a lot for us during their life time and this is a special day in one year when we remember them all, each on their specific day or departing from this world and from us.
In my family we typically sing the following prayer/s of
In respect to our ancestors, I am posting these small prayers in audio/video in gujrati to remember them. Recitation of the bhagwad gita chapter 12 and 15 are also considered to be very beneficial for the ancestors as it helps them in achieving peace and happiness in their abode/next life cycle. Cook their favorite food on this day and feed all you can and after offering to all, enjoy the meal with your family.
In case you do not remember which day they passed, the last day is a good day to offer your food and prayers. It is know as Sarva Pitru shraddha. (The day for all the ancestors) Sarva pirtushraddha
when the ten days of the special Ganesh chaturthi festival comes to a close on the fourteenth day of the month known as Anant Chaturdashi (Anand chaudas). On the blog I have posted the shlokas, chalisa, and aarti now here I am posting the 108 names as well. Recite these along with the other prayers to conclude the festival as we joyfully immerse the idols in the ocean we believe that Lord ganesh goes back to his heavenly abode and will at the same time accept our invitation to return to our homes again next year. Follow the order of shlokas,prayers,chalisa,108 names and then Aarti.
After the 108 names, and at the end of this post are a few simple steps to follow for Ganesh Visarjan if you are doing it at your homes. Please remember immersions are only done for statues/idols/images of Ganesh that are brought specifically on the day of ganesh chaturthi for this event.(Usually made of clay). The regular statues,images of Lord Ganesh that are in our homes are NOT to be immersed.They stay.
Here are the Ashtottara Shatanamavali श्री गणेश अष्टोत्तर शतनामावलि of Lord Ganesh:
Hari om Gum Ganapataye namah. Iti shri ganeshay ashttottara namah. Hari On shatanamavali .
Steps to follow For Ganesh visarjan: श्री गणेश विसर्जन
In case you cannot follow these steps due to lack of availability of items or time, that’s ok. Just close your eyes and have an intention and do manas pooja (Mentally) offer these to lord Ganesh and
recite the prayers,chalisa,shlokas,108 names and conclude with aarti.
Ganpati visarjan is such a huge festival in Mumbai I remember growing up we used to go find a spot to sit on the hghest available home window or terrace or a roof top to get the best view of all the town’s Ganesh idols going for immersion into the beach….Fond memories of the past. Here’s to Lord Ganesh.
After the 108 names, and at the end of this post are a few simple steps to follow for Ganesh Visarjan if you are doing it at your homes. Please remember immersions are only done for statues/idols/images of Ganesh that are brought specifically on the day of ganesh chaturthi for this event.(Usually made of clay). The regular statues,images of Lord Ganesh that are in our homes are NOT to be immersed.They stay.
Here are the Ashtottara Shatanamavali श्री गणेश अष्टोत्तर शतनामावलि of Lord Ganesh:
Hari om Gum Ganapataye namah. Iti shri ganeshay ashttottara namah. Hari On shatanamavali .
Steps to follow For Ganesh visarjan: श्री गणेश विसर्जन
In case you cannot follow these steps due to lack of availability of items or time, that’s ok. Just close your eyes and have an intention and do manas pooja (Mentally) offer these to lord Ganesh and
recite the prayers,chalisa,shlokas,108 names and conclude with aarti.
