Performing Tarpanam for ancestors is a deeply spiritual act that ensures the well-being and blessings of the departed souls. It's important to approach this sacred ritual with a clear understanding of its significance and the best practices to follow. Here are 33 essential things to remember before performing Tarpanam to honor your ancestors and receive their blessings.

1. Refrain from Mentioning Your Name During Pujas

During any pujas, homams, or temple functions in the same month, avoid mentioning your name when you perform Tarpanam for your ancestors. This helps maintain the purity of the ritual and aligns your offerings with the ancestors’ souls.

2. Suspend Deity-Related Pujas Until Tarpanam Completion

On the day of Tarpanam, suspend all deity-related pujas at home until the ritual for the ancestors is completed. Resume your daily prayers and pujas afterward to avoid distractions and to maintain the sanctity of the practice.

3. Importance of Amavasya in Tarpanam

On Amavasya (the new moon day), the Sun and Moon align, and the Pitrus (ancestors) are believed to experience heightened hunger and thirst. This is the ideal time to offer Tarpanam and Pitru Puja to satisfy their needs and receive their blessings.

4. Offerings to the Pitrus on Amavasya

It’s said that the Pitrus wait at the doors of each home on Amavasya, hoping to receive offerings of sesame and water. If the offerings are not made, they leave disappointed, and some may even curse. Performing Tarpanam on this day is essential for honoring their spirit. You can book Shiva Pradosha Pooja Online to ensure your offerings reach the Pitrus.

5. Key Dates for Performing Tarpanam

There are 60 auspicious days in a year for performing Tarpanam. These days, including key dates like Mahalaya Amavasya, are particularly significant for honoring your ancestors and ensuring their happiness. Mahalaya Paksha is one of the most crucial periods for performing Pitru Puja, and you can even schedule your Rameshwaram Thila Homam Booking for this sacred time.

6. Honoring Parents First

Both Vishnu and Shiva have stated that they do not accept pujas performed by those who do not first honor their parents. Therefore, honoring your parents is a crucial step before performing Tarpanam or Pitru Puja. Vishnu Puja is an excellent way to show your respect and reverence to your parents.

7. High-Quality Offerings Lead to Fulfilled Wishes

The quality of the offerings you use for Tarpanam is essential. By offering high-quality sesame, water, and other ingredients, your wishes and desires are more likely to be fulfilled. Visit our site to explore Pitru Dosh Remedies that can help you rectify ancestral blockages.

8. The Role of Naming Ancestors in Tarpanam

To ensure that your offerings reach the correct ancestors, it's vital to name their caste and names during Tarpanam. This helps the offerings reach the right souls and avoids confusion when many people perform Tarpanam on the same day. You can also book a Pitru Puja Online to get personalized guidance for this process.

9. Mahalayapaksam and Elevated Hunger of Ancestors

During the 15 days of Mahalayapaksam, the Pitrus are believed to experience heightened hunger and thirst. It is especially beneficial to perform Tarpanam during this time to address their spiritual needs and offer peace to their souls.

10. Categories of Pitrus

Ancestors are classified into three categories: Pitru Varkam (father-related), Matru Varkam (mother-related), and Karunika Varkam (other relatives). Be mindful of which category your offerings address to ensure that all souls are honored properly.

11. Avoid Onions and Garlic During Tarpanam

On key days like Mahalaya Amavasya, avoid offering foods like onions and garlic during Tarpanam or Pitru Puja. These foods are considered disrespectful to the Pitrus and may negate the spiritual benefits of the ritual.

12. Avoid Eating at Other Homes During Ceremonies

It’s important to avoid eating in others’ homes during spiritual ceremonies such as weddings and ancestral rites, as it can disturb the energy flow required for proper Tarpanam performance.

13. Special Benefits of Offering Tarpanam on Duvadasi

Performing ancestor puja on the twelfth day of Duvadasi can bring immense spiritual rewards, bringing peace and prosperity to your family.

14. Honor All Ancestors for Maximum Benefits

It’s a common misconception to remember only parents on Tarpanam days. All ancestors in the family should be honored for maximum benefits, as this ensures blessings from the entire lineage. Consider conducting your Pitru Puja during Mahalaya Paksha for enhanced benefits.

15. Sannyasis in the Family Must Perform Mahalaya Sirartham

For those who have Sannyasis (monks) in the family, it’s important to perform Mahalaya Sirartham on Duvadasi to maintain harmony and spiritual purity.

16. Sacred Locations for Tarpanam

Performing Tarpanam in sacred places such as temples, ponds, and the sea amplifies the spiritual power of the ritual. Locations like ThiruvalanKadu, Tiruvallur, Rameswaram, and Kashi are highly recommended for performing Tarpanam. You can plan to perform Shiva Pradosha Puja at these auspicious locations for enhanced results.

17. Thila Dharpanapuri – A Special Place for Tarpanam

Thila Dharpanapuri is an especially sacred location for Tarpanam, where Sri Rama and Lakshmana performed the ritual for their father, Dasaratha Maharaja. It’s one of the most powerful places for Pitru Puja.

18. Consequences of Neglecting Tarpanam on Mahalaya Amavasya

The Garuda Purana warns that neglecting to perform Pitru Puja on Mahalaya Amavasya can lead to marriage restrictions, poverty, and blocked opportunities.

19. Dispel Negative Influences with a Pumpkin Offering

Offering a pumpkin during Pitru Puja is believed to help dispel negative influences and clear any obstacles blocking spiritual growth.

20. Souls of Those Who Commit Suicide

The souls of individuals who commit suicide are believed to suffer greatly. Performing Tarpanam for these souls can help them find peace and blessings from Lord Vishnu.

21. Garland the Images of Deceased Ancestors

On Mahalaya Amavasya, it’s considered auspicious to garland the images of deceased ancestors. This act of reverence can bring peace to their souls and ensure divine blessings.

22. Offering Food to Cows on Mahalaya Amavasya

Feeding spinach to a cow on Mahalaya Amavasya is believed to benefit your deceased ancestors, even if they have reincarnated. This act is considered deeply auspicious.

23. Avoid Criticizing Deceased Ancestors

It is essential to avoid criticizing or scolding deceased ancestors during the Mahalaya Amavasya days. Such actions can disrupt the ritual and diminish the benefits.

24. Light Mokshadeepam on Mahalaya Amavasya

Lighting a Mokshadeepam (lamp) and worshiping on Mahalaya Amavasya brings immense joy to the Pitrus, fulfilling their desires and ensuring blessings.

25. Offer Sesame and Akshathai

When performing Tarpanam on specific days, always include sesame and akshathai (rice) to strengthen your offerings and ensure they reach your ancestors. For further guidance, you can book Shiva Pradosha Pooja Online.

26. Face East While Performing Tarpanam

Tarpanam should always be offered facing east for maximum effectiveness. This direction is considered auspicious for spiritual practices and ancestral offerings.

27. Donate Food and Clothes During Mahalaya Paksha

Donating food and new clothes during the 15 days of Mahalaya Paksha brings blessings for both the living and the deceased, ensuring spiritual prosperity for all. Book your Rameshwaram Thila Homam Booking to conduct such donations effectively.

28. Honor the Grass Used in Tarpanam

The grass used for Tarpanam is associated with the planet Ketu. Honoring it yields significant spiritual benefits, helping you fulfill your ancestors' desires.

29. Conduct Sirartham in the Presence of Cows

Conducting Sirartham in the presence of cows ensures immeasurable spiritual rewards. This practice is closely linked to the prosperity of both the family and ancestors.

30. Fast Until the Ritual is Complete

Those performing Tarpanam should refrain from eating or drinking anything until the rituals are complete. This helps maintain purity during the process.

31. Avoid Spilling or Stepping on Water

It is essential not to spill or let others step on the water offered to the ancestors during Tarpanam, as this would reduce the sanctity of the offerings.

32. Bathe in Holy Rivers

Bathing in holy rivers during Mahalaya Amavasya and offering water three times while facing the Sun is highly auspicious. This ritual can increase the effectiveness of your Tarpanam and bring spiritual rewards.

33. Final Thoughts on Tarpanam

By following these guidelines for performing Tarpanam, you honor your Pitrus, clear ancestral debts, and invoke blessings for your family. Make sure to perform these rituals with devotion and sincerity for maximum spiritual benefits.