How to determine shraddha tithi

[Pundit Mahesh Shastriji]

Blog: http://hindupanchang.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-determine-shraddha-tithi-or.html

 

Shraddha is performed when tithi prevails during aprahana kala of the day. Aprahana kala is the 4/5th part of the day.

1. To calculate aprahana kala subtract sunset-sunrise.
2. The result is called dinmana.
3. Divide it into five equal parts, to do this divide dinamana with 5. This gives us the duration for each kala. Now aprahana kala is the 4th kala of the day. It starts right after 3rd madhyana part is over.
4. Multiply kala duration obtained in above step with 3 to give us aprahna kala starting offset from sunrise.
5. Add sunrise to aparahna kala starting offset. This is the begining time for aprahana kala.
6. The duration of aprahana kala is from the time calculated above to the kala duration obtained in step #3. This is when aprahana kala ends.
7. Now check the tithi if it prevails during the aprahana kala that is from the start of aparahana kala obtained from step 5 to time obtained in step 6. To find tithi please visit http://www.mypanchang.com and click on panchanga, scroll down to your city and click on panchanga. There are two columns, one for Amavasyanta panchanga and another for poornimant. Please click panchangam under appropriate calendar you follow.
8. If your tithi prevails during this period, It is your tithi. Repeat the same for the next day to check if tithi prevails during next day, If your tithi or amavasya prevails during both days then take one in which prevails more.

Now this entire calculation should be done on local sunrise and local sunset -- Where the shraddha or tarpanam is going to be performed. If you are in america and the priest from India gives you the date based on their sunrise sunset and their tithi timings it's invalid. You might be performing it on a wrong day. To find tithi in your location visit http://www.mypanchang.com and click on panchanga, scroll down to your city and click on panchanga. There are two columns, one for Amavasyanta panchanga and another for poornimant. Please click panchangam under appropriate calendar you follow.  If you are from gujarat, maharastra or south india please use amavasyant panchangam otherwise if you are from north india select poornimanth panchangam.

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Pundit Mahesh Shastriji
Tel: (425) 445-9117
http://www.mypanchang.com
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