One of the most well-known Hindu rituals plus the practice of paying homage and debts of our ancestors is Tarpan. Tarpan or Tarpana is the annual act of offering rice balls with sesame seeds and water to the Pitris (departed spirits of the ancestors), called as ‘Tilatarpana’.
This death rite is performed during Pitru Paksha or Pitri Paksha, which is a 16 lunar days period that falls in the dark fortnight. However, in the West Bengal region, this practice is known as Tarpan and usually observed during Mahalaya Paksha. Mahalaya is the starting day of the biggest Durga puja festival, moreover considers as the auspicious day to perform Tarpan. Furthermore, on this day, Goddess Durga’s eyes are being drawn.
Tarpana is an offering towards Gods and Navagrahas (the nine planets that influence human lives) by reciting mantras or Japa (holy chants). Tarpana is performed to get blessings from ancestors for the descendant and his family.
Watch this video to know how to make Tarpana offerings with proper Tarpana Vidhi (rituals):
If you don’t follow this annual ceremony, your ancestors’ souls will get disappointed, and thus you’ll miss their blessings.
Feature Image Credit: Pinterest.