Sattvic

Pitru Paksha

Food Offerings That Families Prepare During Shradh Rituals

Pitru Paksha is a sacred period in the Hindu calendar when ancestors descend to earth to receive offerings from their living descendants. People honour their ancestors through Shradh food offerings, rituals and prayers. During this time, while ceremonies take centre stage, Pitru Paksha food offerings are often overlooked. It is believed that the food prepared should be clean, simple and vegetarian in nature. Sattvic food depicts purity and simplicity, which makes it ideal for rituals to bring peace to the departed souls.

Kheer is an auspicious offering and is very commonly used in Hindu rituals, symbolising purity and prosperity. Made by gathering rice, sugar and milk, flavoured with cardamom and decorated with almonds, cashews and raisins, it is the most important dish prepared during Pitru Paksha. This Shradh food is believed to impress the gods as well as the ancestors. Make sure to make kheer using fresh ingredients and accompany it with other sattvic foods like puri, sabzi, fresh fruits and more.

Khichdi is a staple Shradh food in many Indian homes due to its simplicity. It is one of the quick preparations that should be made without any onion or garlic during Pitru Paksha. If you are looking for a tasty option, then prepare sabudana khichdi. On the other hand, make samak rice khichdi if you want your Pitru Paksha food offering to be light and nutritious. Finish each variety with a dollop of ghee to make them taste even better.

No religious ceremony is complete without freshly fried puris being offered to gods and ancestors. This soft and fluffy Indian bread is an important item commonly used for Pitru Tarpan. This Shradh food is stacked on clean ridge gourd leaves, followed by other items. Additionally, a special thali containing these golden puris is often served with sabzi to Brahmin priests during Pitru Paksha. These deep-fried breads can be substituted with whole wheat rotis.

According to religious beliefs, vine-grown vegetables are offered to ancestors. Pumpkin is also considered a sattvic vegetable, which is why it is specifically used in Shraddha meals in many places. It is believed that this Shradh food prepared for the ancestors satisfies them and keeps their blessings on the family. This pumpkin vegetable is prepared in a sattvic manner, without adding garlic or onion. Yellow pumpkins are always used because their flesh is naturally sweet, starchy and soft.

Pitru Paksha food offering often includes fruits as a symbol of freshness, purity, gratitude and respect. Make sure to choose fresh, clean and good-quality seasonal fruits whenever possible. Offer whole fruits or cut them neatly and arrange them on a clean plate. Avoid overripe and spoiled fruits and always look for fresh bananas, apples, oranges and pomegranates. However, the choice of fruits may vary by region, family tradition and religious practice.

Food items like ghee, curd, buttermilk and milk are not only considered sattvic in nature but also help in maintaining calmness and strength throughout the day. During this sacred period of Pitru Paksha, try making a lightly seasoned boondi raita: crispy gram flour balls in yoghurt, seasoned with cumin, adding a refreshing touch to Pitru Paksha offerings. Moreover, while milk is used to prepare kheer and sweets, the curd can be offered directly or can sometimes be served with the khichdi.

Suji ka halwa is an extremely popular sattvic Shradh food that is offered during Pitru Paksha. It is made of semolina, ghee, sugar, and water or milk, and is roasted until it becomes golden and aromatic. There is no use of onion or garlic in its preparation, which ensures that it remains pure and simple. It is flavoured with cardamom and made richer and more aromatic with almonds, cashews and raisins. It is often served along with puri and sabzi at home.