Pitru Tarpanam Procedure — Step-by-Step Guide for Godavari Pushkaralu 2027

Pitru Tarpanam is the Vedic ritual of offering water and sesame seeds to ancestors (pitrus) at sacred rivers. Performing Tarpanam during the Godavari Pushkaralu 2027 window (23 July to 3 August 2027) at the Gowthami or Pushkar Ghat in Rajahmundry is considered one of the most spiritually rewarding acts in Hinduism — it is said to liberate seven generations of ancestors and grant them moksha.

Who Should Perform Pitru Tarpanam?

The eldest son in the family traditionally performs Tarpanam, but in modern practice any male family member or even daughters (under guidance from a learned priest) can perform the ritual. It is mandatory for those whose parents or grandparents have passed away. Even those whose immediate family is alive can perform Tarpanam for distant ancestors.

Materials Required

• Black sesame seeds (til) — 200 grams
• Barley grains (yava) — 100 grams
• Darbha grass (dharbai) — for pavithram and asanam
• Cooked rice (sapindam) — for pinda preparation
• Cow ghee, honey, milk
• Tulsi leaves, banana leaf
• Camphor, agarbatti, deepa with cotton wicks
• White or saffron dhoti for men, white sari for women

Step-by-Step Tarpanam Procedure

1. Snanam — Take the holy dip in the Godavari following the tridhanu snanam procedure
2. Pavithram — Wear the darbha grass ring on the right hand ring finger
3. Sankalpam — Sit facing south. Recite your name, gotra, and the names of three generations of ancestors
4. Argyam — Take water mixed with sesame seeds in cupped hands and offer at the river while reciting “Om Pitrubhyo Namaha”
5. Vishnu Tarpanam — Offer water to Lord Vishnu first
6. Devata Tarpanam — Offer to all devatas
7. Rishi Tarpanam — Offer to the seven sages
8. Pitru Tarpanam — Offer to ancestors by name and gotra
9. Pinda Pradanam (optional) — Offer cooked rice balls in the river
10. Deepa daanam — Light a lamp facing south as the final offering

Recommended Priests and Cost

The Andhra Pradesh Devasthanam Board has accredited 200+ priests at Gowthami and Pushkar Ghats during Pushkaralu 2027. Priest dakshina ranges from INR 501 to INR 5,001 depending on the level of detail. Avoid unaccredited priests outside the official platforms.

For ghat selection see Gowthami Ghat. For complete ritual context see All Pushkaralu Rituals.