This Pitru Paksha, let your ancestors be remembered on a warm plate.
On this sacred full moon of Bhadrapada, abundance meets gratitude. Your daan turns spiritual merit into a warm, freshly cooked meal for someone in need.
Your Trust, Our Commitment
Our Impact
24.2 M+
Meals Served
6.6 M+
Beneficiaries Served
172 +
Municipal Schools
31 +
Govt Hospitals
Updated as on: 21/09/2026
Sixteen days to repay a debt that
never asked to be repaid
Pitru Paksha - also called Shradh Paksha, Mahalaya Paksha or Kanagat - is a sacred 16-day lunar period devoted entirely to honouring our ancestors. It falls in the Krishna Paksha of the Ashwin month.
In 2026 it begins on 26 September (Purnima Shraddha) and ends on 10 October (Sarva Pitru Amavasya). Through these days, the souls of the departed are believed to descend to receive the love, offerings and prayers of their living descendants.
Shradh rituals, Tarpan and - above all - Anna Daan, the donation of food to the needy, are considered the most powerful ways to honour them.
When Karna died and reached the celestial realm, he was offered gold and gems as food. Puzzled, he asked Indra why he was given no real sustenance. Indra replied: “You donated gold all your life – but never donated food to your ancestors.” Karna was allowed to return to Earth for sixteen days to offer food. That period is observed today as Pitru Paksha.
Pitru Paksha 2026 - complete tithi schedule
Shradh is ideally performed on the tithi corresponding to your
ancestor's date of passing.
All tithis are given in Indian Standard Time.
| Date | Tithi / Shraddha | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2026 (Sat) | Purnima Shraddha | Full moon - for those who passed on Purnima |
| September 27, 2026 (Sun) | Pratipada Shraddha | First lunar day |
| September 28, 2026 (Mon) | Dwitiya Shraddha | Second lunar day |
| September 29, 2026 (Tue) | Tritiya Shraddha | Third lunar day |
| September 30, 2026 (Wed) | Chaturthi Shraddha | Fourth lunar day |
| October 1, 2026 (Thu) | Panchami Shraddha | Fifth lunar day |
| October 2, 2026 (Fri) | Shashthi Shraddha | Sixth lunar day |
| October 3, 2026 (Sat) | Saptami Shraddha | Seventh lunar day |
| October 4, 2026 (Sun) | Ashtami Shraddha | Eighth lunar day |
| October 5, 2026 (Mon) | Navami Shraddha | Mothers who passed - Matri Navami |
| October 6, 2026 (Tue) | Dashami Shraddha | Tenth lunar day |
| October 7, 2026 (Wed) | Ekadashi Shraddha | Eleventh lunar day |
| October 8, 2026 (Thu) | Dwadashi Shraddha | Twelfth lunar day - Sanyasis & Vaishnavas |
| October 9, 2026 (Fri) | Trayodashi Shraddha | Thirteenth lunar day - children & the young |
| October 10, 2026 (Sat) | Chaturdashi Shraddha | Those who died by weapons or accidents |
| October 10, 2026 (Sat) | Sarva Pitru Amavasya | All ancestors - most auspicious final day |
Unsure of the tithi? Offer Anna Daan on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, 10 October - this day covers all ancestors.
Choose where your seva reaches
Dedicate your Anna Daan to a cause and help serve warm, nutritious meals in your ancestor's name.
Support the cause
Why Anna Daan matters today
Anna Daan - the highest daan
From the Garuda Purana to the Mahabharata, the offering of food stands at the apex of all charity. Nothing else feeds body and prayer at once.
Shradh in its living form
Offer meals in the name of your departed loved one. A modern, personalised Anna Daan performed on their exact tithi.
Cooked and served in Mumbai
Our FSSAI-certified Byculla kitchen starts at 4 AM. Meals reach hospitals and schools the very same day.
Proof of every plate
WhatsApp photos of meals served on your chosen date, a digital 80G receipt, and ₹25 = 1 verified meal.
How your Pitru Paksha donation reaches those in need
Your online donation reaches the Akshaya Chaitanya team within minutes.
Our FSSAI-certified central kitchen at Byculla, Mumbai prepares fresh, hot, sattvic meals daily from 4 AM.
Meals travel in sealed, food-grade containers to patients at 31+ government hospitals, including Tata Memorial Cancer Centre.
School meals are delivered to 172+ BMC schools so children receive a hot lunch and keep attending class.
You receive WhatsApp photos of meals being served on your Anna Daan date - a living record of your ancestors' blessings at work.
Make Your Donation
Every ₹25 provides one nutritious meal. Choose an amount to see your impact.
Please find our bank details below:
HKM Charitable Foundation
Kotak Bank
Savings account
6645753806
500485006
KKBK0000553
Ilyas Mohammed Khan Estate, Road no.1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034
Our Donors
Every rupee feeds a hungry family. Thank you for making it possible.
Join our circle of givers
A donation of Rs.500 provides 20 meals tohospital patients & schoolchildren.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact us at write2us@akshayachaitanya.org