Tarpana Guide
Tarpana (तर्पण) — from tṛp "to satisfy" — is the ritual offering of water mixed with black sesame and kusha grass to Devas, ancestors, and Rishis.
The Four Types of Tarpana
| Type | Timing | Recipients | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deva Tarpana | Beginning of ritual | Devas, Rishis | 3 |
| Pitru Tarpana | Main ritual | 3 Pitru generations (9 total) | 9 |
| Matru Tarpana | Main ritual | Maternal lineage | 3+ |
| Sarva Pitru Tarpana | Closing | All unknown/forgotten ancestors | 1 |
Three-Generation Formula
| Generation | Relation | Pitru Class | Tarpanas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (Vasu) | Father | Vasu Pitrus | 3 |
| 2nd (Rudra) | Grandfather | Rudra Pitrus | 3 |
| 3rd (Aditya) | Great-grandfather | Aditya Pitrus | 3 |
Step-by-Step Guide
- Purify yourself with a bath, preferably before sunrise or at dawn.
- Sit facing south (Dakshinabhimukha) — the direction of Pitru Loka.
- Wear a darba/kusha ring (Pavitram) on the right ring finger.
- Fill a copper vessel with water, black sesame seeds, and a blade of kusha grass.
- Recite the Sankalpa mantra — stating your name, gotra, tithi, and the ancestor's name.
- Hold the vessel in both palms; use the right ring finger to guide the pour.
- Pour through the ring-finger gap (not the thumb side — that is reserved for Deva tarpana).
- Repeat 3 times for father, 3 for grandfather, 3 for great-grandfather.
- Add 3+ tarpanas for the maternal grandfather's lineage if applicable.
- Conclude with the Universal Ancestor Mantra for all unknown/forgotten ancestors.
When to Perform Tarpana
Every AmavasyaMonthly obligation — Parvana Shraddha
Pitru Paksha (16 days)Sep 17–Oct 1, 2026 — one tarpana per day
Death AnniversaryOn the tithi of the ancestor's passing
Solar/Lunar EclipsesAdditional tarpana during eclipse window
Makar SankrantiSun enters Capricorn — auspicious for tarpana
Gaya PilgrimageMost meritorious — at Vishnupada, Gaya
※ Procedure may vary by sampradaya and regional tradition. Consult a learned Brahmin for lineage-specific guidance.