Tithi Shraddha (Vaishnav Paddhati)

Remembering Pitri on the day of their demise

Introduction to Tithi Shraddha (Vaishnav Paddhati)

Tithi Shraddha according to Vaishnav Paddhati is the annual ceremony performed on the lunar tithi of an ancestor’s passing. In the Vaishnav tradition, the ritual is performed with devotion to Lord Vishnu/Krishna, offering prayers, Havan, Tarpan, and food offerings while remembering the departed ancestors. The main purpose is to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu for the spiritual welfare of the ancestors and to express gratitude and respect towards the Pitri.

Importance and Significance of Tithi Shraddha (Vaishnav Paddhati)

It is performed on the lunar tithi of an ancestor’s passing, as it is believed that sincere offerings made on this day help bring peace and spiritual upliftment to the departed souls. It also allows descendants to express gratitude for the blessings, values, and lineage received from their ancestors.

In the Vaishnav Paddhati, the ceremony places Lord Vishnu (Narayana/Krishna) at the centre of the worship. Offerings, prayers, and rituals are performed with the understanding that the Supreme Lord is the ultimate protector and guide of all souls. By offering the Shraddha to Lord Vishnu with devotion, devotees seek His grace for the well-being and liberation of their ancestors.

Tithi Shraddha also teaches the importance of family values, remembrance, and responsibility towards one’s lineage. Through acts such as Tarpana, Pinda Dāna, prayers, and charity, the performer cultivates humility, devotion, and a sense of connection between generations. It is considered not only a duty towards ancestors but also a means of strengthening spiritual discipline and devotion to the Lord.

Ultimately, Vaishnav Tithi Shraddha represents the harmony between bhakti (devotion), gratitude, and ancestral remembrance, reminding devotees that honouring one’s roots while surrendering the fruits of all actions to Lord Vishnu leads to spiritual peace and blessings.

List of Puja Materials

Below is a comprehensive list of commonly used materials for Tithi Shraddha (Vaishnav Paddhati). Items may vary slightly based on regional traditions and priestly guidance.

A. Things from Nepali Puja Material Shop or Nepali Grocery Store :

केशरी (Yellow Pigment Powder), श्रीखण्ड (Sandalwood powder), पञ्चपल्लव (Dried Mango Leaves), सर्वौषधि (Sarwaushadhi), पञ्चरत्न (Pancharatna), सप्तमृत्तिका (Saptamrittika), पञ्चगव्य (Panchagabya), सरसिउं (Yellow Mustard), कुश (Dried Holy Grass), जौ (Dried Barley), कालो तिल (Black Sesame Seed), काँचो धागो (Raw Thread), गोकुल धूप (Incense), अगरबत्ती (Incense Stick), ५ वा ७ सुते कातेको बत्ती (Cotton Wick), कपुर (Camphor – 1 Packet), तुलसीपत्र (Dried Holy Basil Leaves), जनै (Holy Thread – 5 Pieces), सुपारी (Dried Betel Nut – 5 Pieces), ल्वाङ (Cloves), सुकमेल (Cardamom), अत्तर (Attar - Scent), सेतो कपडा (White Cloth), पहेंलो कपडा, पीताम्बर (Yellow Cloth), पहेंलो रामनामी वस्त्र (Yellow Shawl). *Please look for the Puja Packet in nearby Nepali Puja Shop. The Puja Set should contain the above items.
B. Things from the Shopping Centre (eg: Woolworths, Nepali/Indian Grocery) :

दुध (Milk), दही (Yoghurt), घिउ (Ghee), चिनी वा सख्खर (Sugar or Jaggery), मह (Honey), आल्मुनियम कचौरा – ५० (Aluminium Bowl – 50), फलफुल (Fruits), मिट्ठाइ (Sweets), पानीवाला नरिवल (Watery Coconut), बेसार (Turmeric Powder), चामल (5 Kg Rice Grains), सलाई (Match Box), रेखिको लागि पिठो (Coarse Rice Flour), टपरी वा प्लेट (Paper Plates), दुना वा ब्बल (Paper Bowls), चम्चा (Wooden Spoons), सुक्खा नरिवल (Dry Coconut), आल्मुनियम ट्रे (Medium Aluminium Tray), जिपलक (Sandwich Bag). *You could source some of the above items from the Chinese shops, eg: small aluminium bowls.
C. Things from the Warehouse (eg: Bunnings) :

बालुवा वा माटो ५ किलो (5 Kg Sand or Earth), हवन समिधा ३३ ओटा (33 Sticks for Havan), आल्मुनियम ट्रे २ ओटा (2 Aluminium Trays). *Havan is performed in the aluminium tray. Alternatively, you could source 4 bricks or equivalent concrete blocks.
D. Things from the Garden :

सेतो वा पहेंलो फूल (White or Yellow Flowers), दुबो (Holy Grass), आंपको पत्ता – ५ ओटा (Min. 5 Mango Leaves), पिपलको पत्ता – ५ ओटा (Min 5 Peepal Leaves), पानको पत्ता – ५ ओटा (Min 5 Betel Leaves), तुलसी पत्ता (Tulasi Leaves). *If you are not able to source Peepal, Mango, Tulasi or Betel Leaves – do not worry, please source flowers.
E. Things at Home (Could also be bought from the Nepali Grocery Store) :

दियो – १ (Diyo – 1 Pc), आरती गर्ने दियो – १ (Diyo for Aarati – 1 Pc), कलश – ६ (Kalash – 6 Pcs), पन्चपात्र – १ (Panchapatra – 1 Pc), आचमनी – १ (Aachamani – 1 Pc), पूजा थाली – १ (Puja Thali – 1 Pc), अगरबत्ती राख्ने भांडो – १ (Agarbatti Stand – 1), कर्मपात्र – १ (Copper Bowl – 1 Pc), अर्घपात्र – १ (Surya Arghapatra – 1 Pc), शालिग्राम भगवान – १ (Shaligram – 1), श्री, तिलक (Shree, Tilak), पञ्चकटौरी – ५ (5 Bowls), पिण्ड पकाउने भांडो – १ (Copper/Brass Pot – 1), पिण्ड चलाउने पन्यु – १ (Copper Spatula – 1), खुजुरा पैसा ($1, $5 etc coins and notes), नैबेध (Naibedh), टिस्यु / पेपर टावेल – २ (Tissue/Paper Towel – 2), आसन वा चकटी – ३ (Mats for Sitting – 3). *If the above puja utensils are not available in your house, you could use the plates, bowls etc purchased from the shopping centre.
सिदादान सामग्री (Items for Sida Daan) :

चामल (Rice Grains), तरकारी (Vegetables), नुन (Salt), बेसार (Turmeric), धनियाँ (Coriander), जिरा (Cumin), तेल (Oil), घिउ/बटर (Ghee/Butter), दही (Yoghurt), कालो तिल (Black Sesame Seed), मह (Honey), फलफुल (Fruits), अदुवा (Ginger), दाल (Lentil), पैसा (Money).
Important Notes: :

1. श्राद्धको लागि माथिका सामग्री हालेर ५ ओटा सिदा बनाउने 2. पिण्ड ३ ओटा र विकर १ ओटा गरी जम्मा ४ ओटा पिण्ड बनाउने, 3. श्राद्धमा बस्नुपूर्व आफ्नो गोत्र एवम् ३ पुस्ताको नामको विवरण लिएर बस्नुहोला, 4. श्राद्धमा धेरै कुश चाहिने हुँदा आफुसँग कुश छैन भने गुरुलाई पूर्व जानकारी दिनुहोला।

Download Puja Materials

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