Dashami Shraddha Tithi during Pitru Paksha 2026

Dashami Shraddha is a specific Tithibased Shraddha ritual performed on the tenth day, i.e., Dashami Tithi of Pitru Paksha. It is mentioned in Hindu scriptures as a Tithibased Mahalaya Shraddha. Dashami Shraddha is generally dedicated to those ancestors who had lived a complete family life or Grihastha Ashrama and had carried forward the family lineage. In other words, performing Shraddha on this is considered ideal for ancestors who followed the Vanaprastha Ashrama. The rituals performed on this day are believed to aid in the fulfillment of all four Purushartha, i.e., Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Manusmriti, Vishnu Smriti, Dharmasindhu and Garuda Purana state that the most meritorious Shraddha is the one performed on the exact lunar or Tithi of the ancestor's death. A Shraddha performed on the correct directly reaches the intended ancestor and satisfies them. However, if performed on an incorrect Tithi, the ritual is considered incomplete and does not reach the departed soul. If the death of the ancestor is unknown, Hindu scriptures prescribe performing a collective Shraddha on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the nomoon day observed at the end of Pitru Paksha. Still, performing Shraddha on the exact Tithi ensures its completeness and sanctity. Dashami Shraddha is not merely a ritualistic formality; it is a living tradition of reverence, devotion and cultural continuity. It expresses respect and gratitude toward one's ancestors and remains an essential practice in the present day. It is also considered a powerful means of spiritual elevation within the Sanatan Dharma.