We published the Siddha worship procedures for the coming 2008 Mahalaya Pitru Paksha a few days ago on our Website. Click here to read that article.
A few excerpts from that article:
In this Sarvadhari year, Mahalaya Amavasya falls on September 29 2008 IST. The 2008 Mahalaya Paksha starts at 2:44 p.m. on Monday September 15, 2008 IST and lasts till 1:42 p.m. on Monday September 29, 2008 IST. Refer to the Agasthiar Panchang Spiritual Calendar for other time zones.
As the Sathguru, Guru Mangala Gandharva Venkataraman has taught us for many years, we should commit ourselves to pithru pooja (worship of ancestral beings) at least during this fortnight.
The word Pithru means ancestor beings. It is spelled variously as pitru or pitri or pitr and so on.
Pithru tharpan pooja is a way of showing our gratitude to our ancestors who have made us what we are today. We should realize that all the happy events that happen in each family is the result of blessings from those ancestors in that family that have become exalted pitru beings. Once you understand this, you can understand the importance of pitru pooja.
Sathguru Venkataraman, over the decades, instructed us to do daily tharpanam pooja for pithrus. If this is not possible, one should at least do tharpan pooja on the 96 sraddha days each year. But those who can't do even that should at least do tharpan during all days of the Mahalaya paksham fortnight. Readers should understand that this relaxation of rules is meant for first timers only. After the first time, you should move on to the daily nitya tharpanam pooja.
The Agasthiar Ashram has published many books that show how anyone can do tharpanam easily. Furthermore, our monthly magazine Sri Agasthia Vijayam has regular features on tharpan pooja.
Make use of the material put out by the Agasthiar Ashram and learn how to do tharpan pooja. Once you have learnt this, do daily tharpanam and gain the blessings of your very own pithru beings.
