TARPANA DATES

                          by K.B.GOPALAKRISHNAN and MRS.JAYASHREE RAMALINGAM

                                                                                                01/16/2006 17:24                  

Many people are under the impression that tarpana should be done only on amavasaya day. Tarpana should be done for 98 days in a year. In fact the Garuda Purana clearly states that tarpana for elders can be done whenever the Brahmins visit the house itself.

In this article we will give tarpana dates. The dates will be in the month-by-month manner. The main reason for giving tarpana dates is that, these days lot of people are getting easily confused about the dates the tarpana can be given. It is purely given with the service mentality and attitude.

According to the scriptures following is the days tarpana should be done for elders.

• 12 Amâvâsya, which most people do.

• 12 Sankramana the month beginning, when sun comes in to zero degree in any rasi.

• 15 days in Pitru Paxa (Bhâdrapada Krishna Paxa)- this is called as mahalya or puratasi in Tamil ie when sun comes in to kanni rasi. Tarpana should be performed for the whole 15 days of krishna paksa or paksa leading to amavasaya.

• Vaidhruti and Vyatîpâta yoga (2 in every month totals to 24). This many people donot know due to the lack of astrology knowledge.

• Pûrvedyu, Ashtaka, Anvashtaka (Saptami, Ashtami and Navami) of Bhâdrapada-( aug 15 - sep 15), Margashira- (nov 15 - dec 15), Pushya-(dec15 - jan 15), Mâgha - (jan 15 - feb 15) and Phâlguna (feb 15- march 15) Krishna Paxa,  totals to 15)

• There are other days in year like

a. Kruta, Treta, Dvâpara and Kaliugâdi days.

b. 14 Manvantara.

I am Ill equipped to find these dates. If some reader can send me the details about it will be very helpful.

All these days tarpana should be done. Also it should be done before marriage.

Following are the dates of tarpana for the year of 2006. Even if you do not have astrology knowledge this can be used effectively.

Jan 4 2006 - 6 - 10 a.m.

Jan 13 2006 after 2 o clock till next day Jan 14 1 o clock after noon

Jan 14 2006 between 6 - 8 morning.

Preferably to give in the morning. if you miss it then the tarpana can be given before the tithi ends.

Jan 21 2006

Jan 22 2006

Jan 23 2006

Jan 30 6 - 9 a.m.