How to perform Tarpan at home?

Today is Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya which is a significant event to offer shrad and tarpan to our ancestors(pitris). There are times where due to certain circumstances we are unable to travel somewhere to actually do the rituals and offer the tarpan so in that case it becomes very difficult to understand how do we perform our rituals at home itself. Here i am sharing a guide through which anybody can do tarpan at their home in a very simple manner.

Performing Tarpan at home is a simple and respectful way to offer prayers and water to your ancestors. Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing Tarpan:

Items Required:

• A small metal vessel (copper or brass) filled with water.
• Black sesame seeds.
• Rice grains (optional).
• A few Kusha grass (sacred grass) or a few pieces of Durva grass (available in spiritual stores).
• A small plate or a bowl to collect the water.
• A photograph of your ancestors (optional, for meditation).

Steps to Perform Tarpan at Home:

• Tarpan is generally performed during Pitru Paksha (15 days for honoring ancestors), especially on Mahalaya Amavasya. It can also be performed during Amavasya (New Moon) every month.

1. Prepare Yourself:

• Bathe and wear clean clothes. Sit facing the east (if morning) or south (if performing in the afternoon).
• Maintain a calm and focused mind.

2. Set Up the Place:

• Place a mat or cloth on the ground.
• Keep the small vessel filled with water in front of you, along with sesame seeds, rice grains, and grass.
• Optionally, you can place a photograph of your ancestors.

3. Begin the Tarpan:

• Take a small amount of water in your right hand, and add a pinch of black sesame seeds and rice grains to it.
• Offer this water by slowly pouring it onto the ground or into a plate/bowl, while reciting a prayer or mentally offering it to your ancestors.
• You can chant a simple prayer such as: “Om Pitru Devataabhyo Namah” (meaning: Salutations to the ancestral deities).
• You can also offer your heartfelt gratitude and ask for their blessings.

4. Repeat the Process:

• Repeat this process 3 times, or as per your family traditions, each time offering the water with black sesame seeds and rice, and chanting the mantra or prayer.

5. Conclude with a Prayer:

• After completing the Tarpan, sit quietly for a moment and offer a final prayer, thanking your ancestors for their guidance and blessings.
• You can light a small lamp and offer incense in their memory.

6. Dispose of the Water:

• After the ritual, the water can be poured onto the base of a plant or into running water, symbolizing the flow of blessings to the ancestors.

Performing Tarpan at home with devotion and sincerity helps express gratitude to your ancestors and is believed to bring peace to their souls, as well as blessings to the family.