Mahalaya Paksham Starts Today Sep 27: Tamil Nadu Guide to Ancestor Rituals
Mahalaya Paksham 2026 begins today and runs until Mahalaya Amavasya on October 10 — the 15-day sacred fortnight for Pitru Tarpanam, Shraddham rituals, and ancestor remembrance observed by Tamil families at home and at temples like Rameswaram.
Why this matters to Tamil Nadu
Mahalaya Paksham is one of the highest-searched religious topics in Tamil Nadu every September — millions of families observe this fortnight and need to know the exact start date, daily tithi list, and ritual procedures. Unlike single-day festivals, the Paksham runs 15 days and requires day-specific observations for families who wish to perform Shraddham on the tithi matching their ancestor's death date. For those visiting Rameswaram — Tamil Nadu's primary Pitru rituals site — advance planning is essential as crowds peak on Mahalaya Amavasya (October 10). Today being the first day (Pratipada Shraddham) makes this the most searched guide of the morning.
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