Panchangam 9 October 2026 (Friday): Chaturdashi Shraddha in Mahalaya Paksha, Tithi, Nakshatra and Puja Vidhi

Quick answer: Friday 9 October 2026 is Krishna Chaturdashi in Mahalaya Paksha, observed as Chaturdashi Shraddha. In Hyderabad, Chaturdashi lasts until 09:35 PM IST, then Amavasya begins; Uttara Phalguni nakshatra runs until 09:19 PM. Tomorrow is Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the closing day of the fortnight of the ancestors.

Today is a quiet, tender day in the Hindu calendar. It is traditionally kept for family members whose lives ended suddenly or too soon. If your family carries such a loss, today offers a gentle space to name that person, offer water and sesame or simply a lamp, and wish them peace. Nothing here is meant to frighten: the spirit of the day is love and closure. And because it is Friday, many homes will also light an evening lamp for Goddess Lakshmi, the Mother who sustains the household.

Today's panchang (Hyderabad)

Source: Drik Panchang day panchang for Hyderabad. Tithi and nakshatra end times are a single moment, valid across India in IST; sunrise and sunset differ slightly by city. Friday is traditionally dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

Religious significance of Chaturdashi Shraddha

The dark fortnight of Bhadrapada (amanta reckoning) is called Mahalaya Paksha or Pitru Paksha. On each of its days, families offer shraddha and tarpanam to ancestors, usually on the tithi matching the day the person passed away. Two days carry a broader purpose. Tomorrow's Amavasya is for all ancestors. Today, Chaturdashi, is described in common panchang guidance as the day for those who died untimely deaths, such as in an accident, through violence, or in other sudden circumstances, regardless of the tithi of their passing.

The underlying idea is compassionate. A sudden death often leaves things unsaid, and the tradition makes a dedicated space so that such souls are remembered with particular care. The broader rites of shraddha are discussed in the Dharmashastra literature and in Puranas such as the Garuda Purana, but exactly who offers what, and on which day, is largely a matter of family and regional custom. Some communities observe this day closely; others fold such remembrance into Sarva Pitru Amavasya. Both are accepted practice.

Friday adds a softer note. Goddess Lakshmi is honoured as the Mother of abundance and well-being, and a home that remembers its forebears with gratitude is, in the traditional view, a home where she is welcome.

Simple remembrance and puja vidhi for today

Essentials: a clean place, water, a lamp and a sincere mind. Everything else is optional and depends on your family's custom. If your family regularly performs shraddha, your priest can guide the full rite.

1. Bathe in the morning and wear clean clothes. Keep the meal simple and satvik until the remembrance is done.
2. If your family offers tarpanam, the person who usually performs it offers water mixed with black sesame (til), traditionally facing south, while naming the ancestor being remembered. Follow your family priest's method for the exact steps and words.
3. Place a photograph of the person, if you have one, near a lit lamp. Offer a flower and say a few words of love or forgiveness, whatever feels true.
4. Set aside a portion of food for a cow, crows or someone in need. Feeding others in an ancestor's name is one of the oldest Mahalaya customs.
5. In the evening, after sunset, light a ghee or oil lamp before Goddess Lakshmi, offer a flower, and pray for the well-being of the family.

No materials at home? Hold a cup of water, think of the person you are remembering, and pour it gently at the root of a plant. Then give a meal or a small donation to someone in need. That is a complete and sincere offering.

Mantra for the day

Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah (oṃ śrī mahālakṣmyai namaḥ): "Salutations to Shri Mahalakshmi." A short, widely chanted name-mantra for the Goddess, suited to Friday. Chant it 11 or 108 times after lighting the evening lamp, as a prayer of gratitude for the household. No initiation is needed. For a fuller Lakshmi worship, see our Lakshmi Puja Vidhi step-by-step guide.

Fasting today

Some people eat lightly until the ancestral offering is complete, and some keep a simple Friday fast for Lakshmi. Both are family customs, not obligations. Elderly people, pregnant women and anyone with a medical condition should not feel obliged to fast; consult a doctor if you are unsure.

What you can do today

• If a relative died suddenly or young, write their name on a card and keep it near your lamp today.
• Offer tarpanam or a simple water offering in the morning, while Chaturdashi prevails (until 09:35 PM in Hyderabad).
• Ask an elder or your family priest whether your family observes today or tomorrow for such ancestors.
• Donate a meal, or give to a cause linked to how your loved one lived or passed, such as road safety or a hospital.
• Light a lamp for Goddess Lakshmi after sunset (05:59 PM in Hyderabad).
• Prepare names of three generations of ancestors for tomorrow's Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
• Gather flowers in advance if your family celebrates Engili Pula Bathukamma tomorrow.

With family and children

Children may ask about a relative they never met, or one who died suddenly. Answer simply and kindly: we remember them because we love them, and today we send them our good wishes. Let children help pour water for a plant or put out grain for birds. In the evening, invite them to light the Friday lamp and say "Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah" with you. Small acts teach that remembrance and gratitude belong together.

Hindus abroad: today's panchang in your city

These are local clock times for each city, computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang. Never add or subtract hours from the Hyderabad times to get your local time.

Chaturdashi prevails at sunrise in every city listed, so families abroad can also observe Chaturdashi Shraddha today. Many temples hold Mahalaya tarpanam over the weekend; check with yours.

Tomorrow: Sarva Pitru Amavasya

Saturday 10 October 2026 is Mahalaya Amavasya, the Sarva Pitru Amavasya that closes the fortnight. It is the day to remember every ancestor, including those whose tithi is unknown or was missed. It is also the eve of Navratri, and in Telangana the first day of Bathukamma. Read the full day guide: Panchang Saturday 10 October: Mahalaya Amavasya. For every festival this month, see our October 2026 Hindu festival calendar.

Frequently asked questions

What is Chaturdashi Shraddha?

It is the shraddha day that falls on Krishna Chaturdashi during Mahalaya (Pitru) Paksha. Common panchang guidance, including Drik Panchang, describes it as the day traditionally set aside for family members who died untimely deaths, for example through an accident, violence or other sudden circumstances, whatever the tithi on which they passed. In 2026 it falls on Friday 9 October; in Hyderabad, Chaturdashi lasts until 09:35 PM IST.

If someone in my family died suddenly, must we perform a rite today?

There is no need for worry or pressure. Many families do offer tarpanam or a shraddha for such relatives today, while others remember them on tomorrow's Sarva Pitru Amavasya, which is open to all ancestors. Customs vary by community and family, so ask an elder or your family priest what your tradition follows.

Can I do a Lakshmi puja on a shraddha day?

Yes. Many households keep the morning for the ancestral offering and light the usual Friday lamp for Goddess Lakshmi in the evening. Some families keep festive celebrations low-key during Mahalaya Paksha; a simple lamp and prayer fits comfortably with the spirit of the fortnight.

Why is this Bhadrapada in one calendar and Ashwina in another?

In the amanta calendar used in the Telugu states, the month ends on Amavasya, so 9 October is still Bhadrapada. In the purnimanta calendar of North India, the month changed at the previous full moon, so the same day is in Ashwina. The tithi and the observance are the same.

When is Sarva Pitru Amavasya in 2026?

Tomorrow, Saturday 10 October 2026. It is the final day of Mahalaya Paksha and the Amavasya on which all ancestors are remembered. Navratri begins the morning after, on Sunday 11 October.

A reflection for Chaturdashi

Uttara Phalguni, today's nakshatra, is linked in tradition to Aryaman, the deity of friendship and of the bonds that hold families together. It is a fitting companion for a day of remembrance. Grief that came too suddenly can be softened, a little, by a lamp lit with love. Today we hold our lost ones gently, and tonight we turn to the Mother with gratitude for those who are still with us.

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.

Previous and next day

Next day: Panchang Saturday 10 October: Sarva Pitru Amavasya. Whole month: October 2026 Hindu festival calendar.

Related guides

• Panchang Sunday 11 October: Navratri begins, Ghatasthapana
• Durga Puja 2026 in Kolkata: Mahalaya to Sindoor Khela
• Bathukamma 2026 dates: Engili Pula to Saddula
• Karthika Amavasya 2026: deepa daanam and pitru remembrance
• Lakshmi Puja Vidhi 2026: complete step-by-step guide