Pitri

The departed ancestors in Hinduism, remembered through rituals.

The pitri are a family's departed ancestors. In Hinduism they remain connected with the living, and are remembered with shraddha: offerings of water, rice and prayer. Every year there is also pitru paksha, a period of about two weeks devoted to the ancestors.

According to tradition the pitri dwell in pitriloka, the world of the ancestors, and depend on the offerings of their descendants. The Garuda Purana describes how offerings of water, sesame and rice support the deceased on their journey. That is why continuing the family line and performing the rites for one's parents is seen as an important duty, often of the eldest son, although customs differ by family.

In many families crows are connected with the pitri: during shraddha and pitru paksha food is set out for them, and if a crow takes it, the offering counts as accepted. A dream about a crow, about an ancestor asking for water or food, or about a sacred river is therefore often connected with the pitri in Hindu readings.

In the Netherlands and Suriname many Hindustani families observe pitru paksha and shraddha, often with the help of a pandit. The days of pitru paksha shift every year with the lunar calendar and usually fall in September or October.

In many families dreams about deceased relatives are linked with the pitri. Such a dream can be read as a request to be remembered, or as a sign that something still needs to be completed. When in doubt, families ask a pandit for advice.