Death & Transitions
Ekoddishta Shraddha — The Single-Ancestor Rite
एकोद्दिष्ट श्राद्ध
Last reviewed: April 2026
Ekoddishta Shraddha (एकोद्दिष्ट श्राद्ध) is a shradh offered to a single named ancestor — typically performed monthly during the first year after death and on the annual death anniversary (varsha-shradh). It uses one pinda (not three) and addresses only the deceased, not the collective pitrus. एकोद्दिष्ट श्राद्ध मृत्यु के प्रथम वर्ष में मासिक और वार्षिक रूप से किया जाता है।
Ritual Procedure
- 01Snan and Sankalpa: The karta bathes and sits facing south. Sankalpa names the single deceased — gotra, full name, and relationship — specifying this is an Ekoddishta rite, not Parvana. This verbal distinction is essential; without it the rite loses its specific nature.
- 02Single pinda: Only one pinda is shaped — from cooked rice, sesame, honey, and ghee. It represents the individual deceased alone. Placing three pindas would convert the rite into a Parvana Shraddha. The pinda is placed on kusha grass on a south-facing plate.
- 03Tarpan mantra: "ॐ [नाम]-शर्मणे [गोत्र]-गोत्राय प्रेताय स्वधा नमः" (Om [name]-śarmaṇe [gotra]-gotrāya pretāya svadhā namaḥ). Note the word "preta" — this rite is for one who has not yet completed the sapindikarana and entered the collective pitru state.
- 04No Vishvedeva invocation: Unlike Parvana Shraddha, Ekoddishta omits the Vishvedeva puja. This is a strict rule — inviting the devas into a preta-rite would be ritually improper.
- 05Brahmin bhojan: One Brahmin is fed in the name of the deceased alone. Dakshina is given. The karta eats after the Brahmin departs.
Regional Variations
North India (UP, Bihar)
Monthly Ekoddishta is common, performed by the eldest son at home or at a local ghat. The mourning period strictly forbids auspicious events in the household.
South India (Tamil Brahmin)
The rite is called "Masika Shradh" and is performed with darbha grass, ellu (sesame), and boiled rice. The Brahmin who performs the rite reads from the Garuda Purana for the benefit of the departed.
Bengal
Monthly rites are less common; the emphasis falls on the annual Varsha-Shradh. Fish is excluded from the offering food throughout the mourning year.
The Thing Nobody Else Says
Many families skip the monthly Ekoddishta after the first few months and perform only the annual Varsha-Shradh. Classical texts permit this — Garuda Purana explicitly states the annual rite subsumes all missed monthly rites, provided the intent is sincere.
Classical Source
एकोद्दिष्टं तु यत् श्राद्धं कार्यं प्रेतस्य वार्षिकम्। एकपिण्डेन तत् कुर्यान्न विश्वेदेवपूजनम्॥
ekoddṛṣṭaṃ tu yat śrāddhaṃ kāryaṃ pretasya vārṣikam। ekapiṇḍena tat kuryānna viśvedevapūjanam॥
“The Ekoddishta Shraddha for the deceased should be performed annually with one pinda and without the invocation of the Vishvedevas.”
— Garuda Purana, Pretakalpa, Chapter 10, Verse 14
What If —
What if the karta is abroad and cannot perform the monthly rite?
A trusted male relative in the gotra can perform it in his place. If no one is available, the annual Varsha-Shradh fulfills all missed monthly rites per Garuda Purana.
What if a daughter wants to perform Ekoddishta for her father?
Classical texts including Manusmriti permit daughters to perform shradh for their fathers. The daughter performs the Sankalpa in her own name and her father's.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ekoddishta Shraddha?
A shradh offered to one specific recently deceased person, performed monthly for a year and annually thereafter. It uses a single pinda and omits the Vishvedeva invocation. (Hindi: एकोद्दिष्ट श्राद्ध एक विशेष मृत व्यक्ति के लिए किया जाता है — एक पिंड, बिना विश्वेदेव पूजा के।)
How is it different from Parvana Shraddha?
Ekoddishta uses one pinda for the individual deceased; Parvana uses three pindas for the deceased, his father, and grandfather collectively. Ekoddishta also omits Vishvedeva.
How long is the Ekoddishta cycle?
Twelve monthly rites, followed by Sapindikarana on the 13th month, after which the deceased joins the collective pitrus. The annual Varsha-Shradh continues indefinitely on the death anniversary.
Can it be done at home?
Yes. Unlike Gaya rites, Ekoddishta is a home ritual. A clean south-facing space with kusha grass, sesame, and water is sufficient. (Hindi: एकोद्दिष्ट घर पर ही किया जाता है — गया जाना अनिवार्य नहीं।)
What mantra is recited?
The tarpan mantra names the individual: "ॐ [नाम]-शर्मणे [गोत्र]-गोत्राय प्रेताय स्वधा नमः" — note "pretaya" (for the preta/departed), not "pitraya" used in Parvana. (Hindi: मंत्र में "प्रेताय" शब्द आता है, "पितराय" नहीं।)