Death & Transitions
Tritiya Shradh — Day 3 of Pitru Paksha
तृतीया श्राद्ध
Last reviewed: April 2026
Tritiya Shradh (तृतीया श्राद्ध) is the day 3 shradh of Pitru Paksha, performed for ancestors whose death tithi was tritiya of any month. तृतीया तिथि पर स्वर्गवासी पूर्वजों के लिए यह श्राद्ध किया जाता है।
The Practice
Some households perform Tritiya Shradh at a Shiva temple if the ancestor was a devotee of Shiva — the pindas are offered at the temple pond.
The rite on Tritiya is considered especially powerful for those ancestors who died young or in tragic circumstances — the Tritiya energies are held to aid unresolved soul states.
Kusha grass is bent into a ring (pavitra) and placed on the karta's right hand. This is not removed until the full rite — including Brahmin bhojan — is complete.
Pind daan is performed after the main tarpan — never before. The sequence is: snan, sankalpa, deva-tarpan, rishi-tarpan, pitru-tarpan, pind daan, brahmin bhojan, visarjan.
The mantra for visarjan: "ॐ इमे पिण्डाः मया दत्ताः गृह्यन्तां पितरस्तथा, तृप्ताः सन्तु सदा सर्वे लोकेषु च सुखं लभताम्।"
After immersion, the karta bathes again before re-entering the home. The ritual impurity (sutaka) of the rite is thus lifted.
The family eats the remaining shradh food together in silence at midday — this meal is called pitra-prasad and is considered blessed.
Regional Variations
North Indian Tradition
North Indian families may add offerings of kheer and pua (sweet fried bread) on Tritiya — these are traditional pitru-favored foods.
South Indian Tradition
South Indian Brahmin families perform the rite with strict Vedic procedure; pindas are made small and neatly arranged.
Bengali Tradition
Bengali families focus on tarpan at the Ganges; pind daan is often simplified or substituted with offerings at a local Kali temple.
Gujarati Tradition
Gujarati families often combine Tritiya Shradh with a visit to a local peepal tree, circumambulating it 108 times with water offerings.
The Thing Nobody Else Says
Tritiya Shradh is considered particularly powerful for ancestors who were devotees — their offerings on this day are believed to reach them faster due to the association of tritiya with bhakti.
Matsya Purana (Chapter 17, Verse 22) notes that tritiya is associated with Gauri and by extension with devotional energy — shradh performed on this tithi carries devotional resonance, particularly for ancestors whose path was bhakti-oriented.
Classical Source
तृतीयायां शुभे काले श्राद्धं कुर्यात् विचक्षणः। पितरः प्रीतिमापन्नाः वरदा भवन्ति हि॥
tṛtīyāyāṃ śubhe kāle śrāddhaṃ kuryāt vicakṣaṇaḥ। pitaraḥ prītimāpannāḥ varadā bhavanti hi॥
“On the auspicious tritiya tithi, the wise one should perform shradh. The ancestors, pleased, grant boons.”
— Matsya Purana, Chapter 17, Verse 22
What If —
What if a family member is menstruating during Tritiya Shradh?
The menstruating member is excused from participation. The rite proceeds with other family members. This is a classical rule and is not considered exclusion — it is a provision for rest.
What if we forgot to perform tarpan before pind daan?
The rite is paused, tarpan is performed, and the rite resumes. Sequence matters — tarpan precedes pind daan always.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who performs Tritiya Shradh?
Ancestors whose death tithi was tritiya of any lunar month are honored on this day. (Hindi: तृतीया तिथि पर मृत पितरों के लिए यह श्राद्ध है।)
What food items are essential?
Cooked rice, dal, seasonal vegetables, kheer, and til-laddu. All sattvic, no onion or garlic.
Can I perform Tritiya Shradh without a pandit?
Yes, if you know the mantras and procedure. However, a pandit ensures correctness for those new to the rite. (Hindi: पंडित के बिना भी श्राद्ध संभव है यदि मंत्र और विधि ज्ञात हों।)
Is fasting required?
The karta fasts until the Brahmin has eaten. Other family members may or may not fast depending on tradition.
What should be avoided on this day?
Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onion, garlic, new purchases, and conflicts. The day is one of solemnity and remembrance.