Tripindi Shradh in Trimbakeshwar
Tripindi Shradh is a one-day shradh done at Trimbakeshwar for the peace of ancestors of the last three generations. Three pinds – of barley, rice and til – are offered to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. It is done when the yearly shradh of ancestors has not been done for some years, or when their souls are believed to be without peace.
- 1-day puja
- 3 pinds for 3 generations
- Best in Pitru Paksha
By Pandit Narayan Guruji, Trimbakeshwar · 21+ years of puja · Updated 24 Oct 2026
Meaning
What Is Tripindi Shradh?
Tripindi Shradh is a shradh in which three pinds are offered for the peace of the ancestors of the last three generations of the family – on the father's side and the mother's side.
Every family is expected to do the yearly shradh for its ancestors. When this is not done for some years, or when an ancestor died young, suddenly, or with wishes left unfulfilled, it is believed that their soul may not be at peace. Tripindi Shradh is done to give them peace and to receive their blessings.
The three pinds are offered to the three forms of God – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh – who are asked to give peace to the ancestors.
| Pind made of | Offered to |
|---|---|
| Barley (java) | Brahma |
| Rice | Vishnu |
| Black til (sesame) | Mahesh (Shiva) |
Tripindi Shradh vs Yearly Shradh vs Narayan Nagbali
These are often confused. Here is how they are different.
| Tripindi Shradh | Yearly Shradh | Narayan Nagbali | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For whom | Ancestors of the last three generations | A known ancestor, on the day of death (tithi) | A family member who died an untimely death; harm to a snake |
| When needed | Yearly shradh missed for some years, or the death date is not known | Every year | Untimely death, or pitru and sarp dosh |
| How long | 1 day, about 3 to 4 hours | A few hours | 3 days |
| Where | Mainly Trimbakeshwar | At home or at a tirth | Mainly Trimbakeshwar |
| Read more | This page | – | Narayan Nagbali |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
Is it for you?
Who Should Do Tripindi Shradh?
Tripindi Shradh is advised when the ancestors of the family have not received their shradh, or when the family feels their blessings are missing. Not every problem in life needs this puja – the family history and kundali are checked first.
Main reasons
The traditional reasons for doing Tripindi Shradh.
- The yearly shradh was not done for three years or more.
- The date of death (tithi) of an ancestor is not known.
- An ancestor died young, suddenly, or before marriage.
- An ancestor died with wishes left unfulfilled.
- Pitru dosh has been found in the kundali.
Signs families often share
Problems that are commonly linked with ancestors who are not at peace.
- Delay or repeated problems in marriage.
- Delay in having children.
- Quarrels and no peace at home.
- Money losses, or work that does not grow.
- Illness that keeps coming back in the family.
- Seeing ancestors again and again in dreams.
Please note: these signs can also have many other reasons, so the puja is not decided from signs alone. In the kundali, astrologers look at the 9th house, the Sun, and Rahu and Ketu for pitru dosh. For health problems, always see a doctor.
The place
Why Is Tripindi Shradh Done at Trimbakeshwar?
Tripindi Shradh can be done at a few holy places, but Trimbakeshwar is the best-known place for it. There is a special reason.
Three pinds, three faces of the Jyotirlinga
In Tripindi Shradh, the three pinds are offered to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. At Trimbakeshwar, the Jyotirlinga itself has three small faces for Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. This is why the puja is believed to be most complete here.
Where the Godavari begins
The Godavari river begins at Brahmagiri hill in Trimbakeshwar. Pind daan and shradh at the source of a holy river are given great importance.
Kushavarta Kund
Families take a holy dip in the Kushavarta Kund before the shradh, as is done for all pujas for ancestors here.
Named in the texts
Texts on rituals such as the Dharmasindhu speak of doing shradh at a tirth, and Trimbakeshwar is one of the main tirths for pujas for ancestors.
Read the story of Gautam Rishi and the Godavari on our Narayan Nagbali page.
Puja vidhi
Tripindi Shradh Vidhi – How the Puja Is Done
Tripindi Shradh is done in one day, near the Trimbakeshwar temple, with Vedic mantras. Guruji arranges all the samagri and tells the family what to do at each step.
Holy dip at Kushavarta Kund
The day starts with a holy dip in the Kushavarta Kund, and the family wears clean puja clothes.
Ganesh puja and sankalp
Lord Ganesh is worshipped first. Then Guruji takes the sankalp with the family's name, gotra and the names of the ancestors, if known.
Kalash for Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh
Three kalash are set up for the three forms of God, who are worshipped with mantras.
Making the three pinds
Pinds are made from barley, rice and black til, with ghee and honey.
Pind daan and tarpan
The pinds are offered to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh for the peace of the ancestors, and water with til is offered as tarpan.
Daan and prayer
The family gives daan as Guruji tells, and prays for the blessings of the ancestors. The day ends with darshan of Lord Trimbakeshwar.
The full puja takes about 3 to 4 hours, usually in the morning.
Before you come
Tripindi Shradh Rules – Who Can Do It, Clothes and Food
Tripindi Shradh has a few simple rules. Following them helps the puja go smoothly. Guruji explains every rule to your family when you book.
Who can do it
- It is usually done by a male member of the family – a son or grandson.
- A married couple can do it together, and unmarried men can also do it.
- Women can do it in some cases, with Guruji's guidance. If the wife is pregnant, Guruji advises on the right time.
Clothes
- Men: a white dhoti and an upper cloth (uparna).
- Women: a traditional saree.
- Please do not wear black or dark green.
Food
- Eat only after the shradh is complete.
- Satvik food on the day before and the puja day – no onion or garlic.
- No non-veg food or alcohol around the puja days.
Stay
- The puja is done in one day.
- Reach Trimbakeshwar a day before, or early in the morning on the puja day.
- In Pitru Paksha, book your stay early – the town gets very busy.
What to bring
- Name and gotra of the family.
- Names of the ancestors of three generations, on both sides, if known.
- Your kundali, if you have one.
- An ID card for your hotel.
Guruji arranges
- All puja samagri, including the pinds.
- The puja place near the temple.
- Guidance at every step, in Marathi, Hindi or English.
Muhurat
Tripindi Shradh Dates 2027
Tripindi Shradh is done on Panchami, Ashtami, Ekadashi and Amavasya of the Krishna paksha, and on any day of Pitru Paksha. The months of Shravan and Kartik are also seen as good. Here are these days in 2027, worked out from the Hindu panchang for Trimbakeshwar.
Pitru Paksha 2027
The 15 days of Pitru Paksha are the most popular time for Tripindi Shradh. The last day, Mahalaya Amavasya on 29 September, is the busiest. Families come from all over India, so plan these days well in advance.
January 2027
- 3Sun · Ekadashi
- 7Thu · Amavasya
- 26Tue · Panchami
- 29Fri · Ashtami
February 2027
- 2Tue · Ekadashi
- 6Sat · Amavasya
- 25Thu · Panchami
- 28Sun · Ashtami
March 2027
- 3Wed · Ekadashi
- 8Mon · Amavasya
- 27Sat · Panchami
- 30Tue · Ashtami
April 2027
- 2Fri · Ekadashi
- 6Tue · Amavasya
- 25Sun · Panchami
- 29Thu · Ashtami
May 2027
- 2Sun · Ekadashi
- 6Thu · Amavasya
- 25Tue · Panchami
- 29Sat · Ashtami
June 2027
- 1Tue · Ekadashi
- 4Fri · Amavasya
- 24Thu · Panchami
- 27Sun · Ashtami
- 30Wed · Ekadashi
July 2027
- 4Sun · Amavasya
- 24Sat · Panchami
- 27Tue · Ashtami
August 2027
- 2Mon · AmavasyaKumbh Amrit Snan – very crowded
- 22Sun · Panchami
- 25Wed · Ashtami
- 28Sat · Ekadashi
- 31Tue · AmavasyaKumbh Amrit Snan – very crowded
September 2027
- 21Tue · Panchami
- 23Thu · Ashtami
- 26Sun · Ekadashi
- 29Wed · Mahalaya Amavasya
October 2027
- 20Wed · Panchami
- 23Sat · Ashtami
- 25Mon · Ekadashi
- 29Fri · Amavasya
November 2027
- 18Thu · Panchami
- 21Sun · Ashtami
- 24Wed · Ekadashi
- 28Sun · Amavasya
December 2027
- 18Sat · Panchami
- 20Mon · Ashtami
- 23Thu · Ekadashi
- 27Mon · Amavasya
Panchami, Ashtami, Ekadashi or AmavasyaPitru PakshaKumbh Amrit Snan – avoid
Guruji confirms the final date after looking at the family details. In 2027, Trimbakeshwar is also very crowded on the Simhastha Kumbh Amrit Snan days – 2 August, 31 August and 12 September.
Tripindi Shradh Cost
The dakshina for Tripindi Shradh is not the same for every family. It depends on a few things, which Guruji explains clearly before you book. There are no hidden charges.
What decides the dakshina
- Whether the shradh is done only for your family or with other families.
- The number of pandits and the samagri used.
- Whether a havan is added to the shradh.
- Daan and Brahmin bhojan, if your family wants it.
Included
- All puja samagri, including the pinds
- Pandits and the puja place near the temple
- Guidance at every step, in Marathi, Hindi or English
Not included
- Travel, hotel stay and your meals
Benefits of Tripindi Shradh
These are the benefits that families pray for and believe in when they do this puja.
- Peace for the ancestorsThe souls of three generations get peace.
- Blessings of the ancestorsTheir blessings return to the family.
- Relief from pitru doshAs families and astrologers believe.
- Peace at homeLess fighting, and more calm in the family.
- Obstacles easeIn marriage, children and work, as families believe.
- A duty fulfilledThe missed shradh of the ancestors is completed.
After the Puja
- Do the yearly shradh of your ancestors on their tithi or in Pitru Paksha.
- Offer food to cows, crows and the needy on Amavasya when you can.
- Eat satvik food on the day of the shradh.
- Remember your ancestors with respect, and take care of the elders in the family.
- Keep faith and keep working – the shradh is a spiritual duty, not a replacement for effort or medical care.
Tripindi Shradh – Key Facts
- Meaning
- Tri = three, Pind = offering of cooked grain
- Done for
- Ancestors of the last three generations
- Three pinds
- Barley – Brahma, Rice – Vishnu, Black til – Mahesh
- Where
- Trimbakeshwar, about 28 km from Nashik, Maharashtra
- How long
- 1 day, about 3 to 4 hours
- Best days
- Krishna Panchami, Ashtami, Ekadashi, Amavasya; Pitru Paksha
- Pitru Paksha 2027
- 15 to 29 September (Mahalaya Amavasya 29 Sep)
- How often
- Usually once
- Puja by
- Pandit Narayan Guruji, 21+ years at Trimbakeshwar
Questions
Tripindi Shradh – FAQs
What is Tripindi Shradh?
Tripindi Shradh is a one-day shradh done at Trimbakeshwar for the peace of ancestors of the last three generations. Three pinds made of barley, rice and black til are offered to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh with Vedic mantras.
Why is Tripindi Shradh done?
It is done when the yearly shradh of ancestors was not done for some years, when the date of death of an ancestor is not known, when an ancestor died young or with wishes unfulfilled, or when pitru dosh is found in the kundali.
How long does Tripindi Shradh take?
Tripindi Shradh is done in one day and takes about 3 to 4 hours, usually in the morning, near the Trimbakeshwar temple.
Who can perform Tripindi Shradh?
It is usually done by a male member of the family, such as a son or grandson. Married couples can do it together, and unmarried men can also do it. Women can do it in some cases with the pandit's guidance.
What are the Tripindi Shradh dates in 2027?
Tripindi Shradh is done on Krishna paksha Panchami, Ashtami, Ekadashi and Amavasya, and on any day of Pitru Paksha. In 2027, Pitru Paksha is from 15 to 29 September, with Mahalaya Amavasya on 29 September. Other dates include 3, 7, 26 and 29 January 2027.
Can Tripindi Shradh be done in Pitru Paksha?
Yes. Pitru Paksha is the most popular time for Tripindi Shradh. In 2027 it runs from 15 to 29 September. Trimbakeshwar is very busy in these days, so families plan early.
What is the cost of Tripindi Shradh in Trimbakeshwar?
The dakshina depends on whether the shradh is only for your family, the number of pandits and samagri, whether a havan is added, and any daan. All samagri and the puja place are included; travel and stay are not. The pandit tells the exact dakshina before booking.
What is the difference between Tripindi Shradh and Narayan Nagbali?
Tripindi Shradh is a one-day shradh for ancestors of three generations whose shradh was missed. Narayan Nagbali is a three-day puja for a family member who died an untimely death, or for harm done to a snake.
Why is Tripindi Shradh done at Trimbakeshwar?
In Tripindi Shradh the three pinds are offered to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, and the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga has three small faces of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The Godavari also begins here, so shradh at Trimbakeshwar is given great importance.
Can Tripindi Shradh be done at home?
The yearly shradh can be done at home, but Tripindi Shradh is traditionally done at a tirth like Trimbakeshwar, with the full vidhi done by a pandit.
How many times should Tripindi Shradh be done?
Tripindi Shradh is usually done once. Some families repeat it after many years on the advice of their pandit. The yearly shradh should still be done every year.
What should I wear for Tripindi Shradh?
Men wear a white dhoti and an upper cloth (uparna), and women wear a traditional saree. Black and dark green clothes are avoided.
Talk to Pandit Narayan Guruji
A third-generation pandit at Trimbakeshwar with 21+ years of experience and more than 60,000 pujas. He studied Vedic rituals at Banaras Hindu University and guides families in Marathi, Hindi and English.
Also read: Narayan Nagbali · Kaal Sarp Dosh · Simhastha Kumbh 2027