Pitru Paksha 2026: Can you eat home-cooked food on the day of Shradh or not? Premananda Maharaj revealed the right rule

Pitru Paksha 2026: During the Shradh Paksha dedicated to ancestors, people perform Tarpan, Pindadaan and Shradh Vidhi to show respect to their ancestors and seek peace of their souls. During this period, many beliefs are prevalent about food and drink. The most common question is whether family members can eat home-cooked food on the day of ancestors' Shradh

A devotee asked Premananda Maharaj about the same question. The video of his answer is going viral on social media. Maharaj explained the order of eating on the days of Shradh and the importance of giving food to Brahmins.

What did Premananda Maharaj say about eating on the days of Shradh?

Premananda Maharaj, the first task on the day of Shradh is to offer food to the Brahmin as per the prescribed rituals. He said that the Shradh ritual includes welcoming the Brahmin with respect, washing his feet, performing aarti and serving food by making him sit on a seat.   According to him, depending on the capacity of the person. One can give food to one or more Brahmins. After the meal, it is also recommended to give dakshina (donation). After this, the family members can take the Shradh Prasad.

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Can family members eat Shradh meal?

According to this tradition, the food prepared for Shradh is first offered to the Brahmins in a prescribed manner and then consumed by the family members as prasad.   Family members consume Shradh meals as prasad. Therefore, it would not be correct to say that family members cannot eat on the day of Shradh. The main issue is the order of meals and the tradition of the Shradh ceremony. There may be some differences in the Shradh ritual in different families and regions.

Importance of Satvik food in Shradh

Generally, it is customary to prepare sattvic food during the Shradh ritual. In many families, onions, garlic and some other food items are avoided. The meal includes seasonal vegetables, dal, rice, puri, kheer and other traditional dishes. However, the ingredients and rules for Shradh meals may vary according to region, family and tradition. Therefore, it is considered appropriate to follow one's family tradition or local religious customs.

Why is Brahmin food eaten during Shradh?

In Hindu religious tradition, Brahmin food is considered important during the Shradh ceremony. It is believed that the food offered with devotion and proper ritual is dedicated to the ancestors. For this reason, the tradition of feeding Brahmins or the needy on the day of Shradh is seen in many places.

(Disclaimer: All information provided here is based on prevailing beliefs and religious texts. ABPLive.com does not endorse any of these beliefs or information. Experts in the relevant field should be consulted before implementing any remedy or belief.)