DivineAdda Editorial 3 min read
Shradh 2026: Dates & Tithi Calendar
When does Shradh start and end in 2026? Here's the complete Pitru Paksha date calendar, tithi by tithi, plus Hindi dates and the right time each day to perform Shraddha.
Shradh — also called Pitru Paksha, Kanagat, or Mahalaya Paksha — begins on 26 September 2026 (Saturday) with Purnima Shraddha, and ends on 10 October 2026 (Saturday) with Sarva Pitru Amavasya. The main fortnight of Pitru Paksha itself runs from 27 September to 10 October, covering the dark (Krishna Paksha) fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin.
श्राद्ध 2026 की तारीखें: श्राद्ध पक्ष 27 सितंबर 2026 से शुरू होकर 10 अक्टूबर 2026 (सर्वपितृ अमावस्या) को समाप्त होगा। पूर्णिमा श्राद्ध 26 सितंबर को है।
Why the date matters more than usual this year
Shradh is not observed on one fixed date — each family performs the rite on the specific tithi (lunar day) that matches the date their ancestor passed away, not on a fixed calendar date each year. Because a lunar tithi doesn't always line up neatly with a single Gregorian date, some years see two tithis fall on the same civil date, or a tithi span parts of two days. If you're not certain which day applies to your family, the safest choice is always Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the final day of the fortnight — it's specifically set aside for ancestors whose exact death tithi is unknown or unclear.
Full 2026 Shradh tithi calendar
What time of day should Shradh be performed? |
Purnima Shraddha vs. Pitru Paksha proper
You'll sometimes see Shradh 2026 listed as starting on 26 September and other times on 27 September — both are correct, depending on what's being counted. Purnima Shraddha (26 September) is performed for ancestors who died on a Purnima (full moon) tithi, and is treated as an auspicious lead-in day. Pitru Paksha proper — the main 15-tithi fortnight most families associate with Shradh — begins the next day, on Pratipada, 27 September.
Regional names for the same period
Shradh is known by several regional names, all referring to the same fortnight: Kanagat (widely used across North India and the Hindi belt), Mahalaya Paksha or Pitri Pokkho (Bengal), and Sola Shradh ("sixteen shradhs," referencing the full sixteen-day count some traditions use, from Purnima through Amavasya).
Frequently asked questions
Shradh 2026 start date and end date?
Shradh 2026 starts on 26 September 2026 (Purnima Shraddha), with the main Pitru Paksha fortnight beginning 27 September, and ends on 10 October 2026 (Sarva Pitru Amavasya)
Shradh 2026 kab hai?
श्राद्ध 2026 की शुरुआत 27 सितंबर 2026 से होगी और यह 10 अक्टूबर 2026 (सर्वपितृ अमावस्या) को समाप्त होगा। पूर्णिमा श्राद्ध 26 सितंबर को है।
What is the Shradh 2026 date and time each day?
Each day's Shraddha is best performed during Kutup Muhurat, roughly 11:30 AM–12:30 PM local time, though the exact window shifts daily with sunrise — check a local Panchang for your city.
Are Shradh 2026 dates different in Hindi calendars?
No — the dates are the same regardless of language; only the calendar labels differ. श्राद्ध पक्ष 2026: 27 सितंबर से 10 अक्टूबर तक
What is Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026?
Sarva Pitru Amavasya, on 10 October 2026, is the final day of Shradh, reserved for ancestors whose exact death tithi is unknown, or for performing Shraddha for all ancestors collectively.
Why do some sites list Shradh 2026 starting 26 September and others 27 September?
26 September is Purnima Shraddha, an auspicious lead-in day for those who died on a full moon tithi. The main 15-tithi Pitru Paksha fortnight begins the next day, 27 September.