As the joyous celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi end, the mood in many Hindu homes shifts to a quieter, more reflective time. This is Pitru Paksha, a sacred fortnight dedicated to remembering and honouring our ancestors.

According to the Mahabharata, when the noble Karna ascended to heaven, he was offered food made of gold and jewels. This perplexed him. He was told this was because he had never offered food to his forefathers during his lifetime. To seek redemption, he was allowed to return to earth for 15 days to make amends. This tradition continues as Pitru Paksha,........

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