Pitru Paksha 2025 Start Date: Crows have special significance in Shradh. It is believed that the souls of ancestors are satisfied by feeding them, but what to do if crows are not found on the day of Shradh, know the remedy here.

Pitru Paksha 2025: Pitru Paksha will start from Bhadrapada Purnima Tithi on 7th September. The first Shradh will be on Pratipada Tithi on 8th September, after which Tarpan, Pinddaan, Shradh rituals will be performed every day in the name of ancestors till Sarva Amavasya on 21st September.

During the Shraddha ceremony, the food prepared in the name of ancestors is fed to crows before the Brahmin because without this the ancestors do not accept food. But in today's times, crows are hardly seen, so let us know what to do if crows are not found to satisfy the ancestors.

Crows are a symbol of ancestors

According to religious beliefs, crow is known as the symbol of Yama. During Pitru Paksha, presence of crow is considered to be a sign of ancestors being around. It is said that if you do not feed it during Shraddha, then ancestors return hungry.

What to do if crows are not found for Shraddha food

It is mentioned in the scriptures that the crow is the only bird that is called Pitra-doot (the messenger of ancestors), but crows are becoming extinct in cities. In such a situation, if you are not able to feed the crows during the Shraddha, then you can feed the offering in the name of the crow to a cow or a dog, because the food of the ancestors is fed to cows, dogs, crows, ants and gods, this is called Panchbali Bhog.

History of offering Shraddha food to crows

According to a legend, in Treta Yuga, Indra's son Jayant took the form of a crow and pecked Mother Sita. Then Lord Shri Ram shot him with an arrow made of straw. Later, the crow apologized and Lord Ram gave him a boon that from today onwards, ancestors will get salvation only through crows.