Death & Transitions
Dwitiya Shradh — Day 2 of Pitru Paksha
द्वितीया श्राद्ध
Last reviewed: April 2026
Dwitiya Shradh (द्वितीया श्राद्ध) is performed on the second tithi of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada during Pitru Paksha, for ancestors who died on the dwitiya tithi of any lunar month. द्वितीया तिथि पर मृत पूर्वजों का श्राद्ध इस दिन संपन्न किया जाता है।
The Practice
Morning snan is done with til (sesame) water. The karta wears pavitri (a kusha-grass ring) on his right ring finger — this purifies the hand performing the offerings.
Sankalpa is taken: the karta holds water and sesame in his right hand and declares — "Today, on dwitiya tithi of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada, I, [name] of [gotra] gotra, perform the shradh of my [relation], [name] of [gotra], who departed on dwitiya tithi."
Tarpan: black sesame and water are offered to pitrus facing south. Mantra: "ॐ आगच्छन्तु मे पितरः इमं गृह्णन्तु जलाञ्जलिम्" (Om āgacchantu me pitaraḥ imaṃ gṛhṇantu jalāñjalim) — "May my ancestors come and accept this handful of water."
Three pindas are shaped from kheer, rice, barley flour, honey, and black sesame. Placed on kusha on a south-facing brass plate. Pind daan mantra: "एष पिण्डः [नाम]-शर्मणे [गोत्र]-गोत्राय स्वधा" (Eṣa piṇḍaḥ [name]-śarmaṇe [gotra]-gotrāya svadhā).
Dhoop, deep, and naivedya (incense, lamp, food offering) are presented to the pindas. The karta does namaskar to the south and asks forgiveness for any error in the rite.
Brahmin bhojan follows. After the Brahmin eats, the karta takes his blessings and gives dakshina, vastra (cloth), and dakshin-guda (jaggery).
Leftover pindas are given to a cow or immersed in flowing water. The karta breaks his own fast only after this.
Regional Variations
North Indian Tradition
In North Indian tradition, the rite is performed in the courtyard or a separate puja area. The karta does not shave, cut nails, or apply oil for the day.
South Indian Tradition
In South Indian Brahmin tradition, the rite strictly follows the Apastamba or Bodhayana Grihyasutra. The pindas are offered on darbha grass and the mantras are Vedic Sanskrit.
Bengali Tradition
In Bengal, Dwitiya Shradh is part of the broader Mahalaya observance. Tarpan at the Hooghly or Ganga is the central act; pind daan is secondary.
Gujarati Tradition
In Gujarati tradition, a family pandit conducts the rite at home; the karta often fasts until the Brahmin has eaten.
The Thing Nobody Else Says
Dwitiya Shradh is considered especially auspicious for offering pind daan to the maternal side ancestors (matamaha lineage) even if the death tithi is unknown.
Dharmasindhu explicitly states that the dwitiya tithi of Pitru Paksha carries particular efficacy for matamaha (mother's father) offerings, as the second tithi is symbolically linked to duality — paternal and maternal lineages both acknowledged.
Classical Source
द्वितीयायां तु कर्तव्यं श्राद्धं पितृगणस्य च। तर्पणं पिण्डदानं च सर्वं विधिपुरस्सरम्॥
dvitīyāyāṃ tu kartavyaṃ śrāddhaṃ pitṛgaṇasya ca। tarpaṇaṃ piṇḍadānaṃ ca sarvaṃ vidhipurassaram॥
“On the dwitiya tithi, the shradh for the pitru-gana should be performed. Tarpan and pind daan, and all acts, should be done according to proper procedure.”
— Nirnaya Sindhu, Shraddha Prakarana, Verse 17
What If —
What if I cannot reach a river for tarpan?
Use Ganga jal mixed with regular water in a brass or copper vessel at home. Classical texts state that any water, when sanctified by mantras, carries the offering equally well.
What if the Brahmin refuses dakshina?
Dakshina must still be accepted in some form — food, cloth, or monetary offering. The Brahmin's acceptance completes the rite. If he insists on refusing, the items are given to a temple in his name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dwitiya Shradh?
Dwitiya Shradh is the day 2 shradh of Pitru Paksha, for ancestors who died on the second lunar tithi. (Hindi: द्वितीया तिथि पर मृत पितरों हेतु श्राद्ध।)
What samagri is needed?
Black sesame (til), barley (yava), cooked rice, ghee, honey, milk, kusha grass, flowers, sandalwood, a brass plate, a clay pot of water, and a banana leaf for kakabali.
When is the correct time?
Midday, during abhijit muhurta (roughly 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM). Never at night.
Can women perform Dwitiya Shradh?
Yes. Classical texts include daughters among qualified performers in the absence of sons. Many modern pandits support female karta in practice. (Hindi: बेटियाँ भी श्राद्ध कर सकती हैं — शास्त्र सम्मत है।)
What is the dakshina amount?
There is no fixed amount. Traditionally, as much as the family can afford — with sincerity. A token amount plus cloth and food is considered complete.