Some of the rules in connection with observance/performance of *PitrSrAddham *followed by our ancestors are given below:-1.ShrAddham should be performed at कु� तप कु�लं� । If the day(after sunrise)is divided into five parts, first part is called प्रा�त कु�लं� followed by

सं�गव कु�लं�, मा�ध्या�न्हि��कु कु�लं�,अपरा���� and सं�या�कु�लं�. If the मा�ध्या�न्हि��कुकु�लं� is divided in three parts, first comes गन्धव�कु�लं� followed by कु� तपकु�लं� and रा�हि�न कु�लं� . In a place where the sun rises at 6A.M, and sets at 6P.M., कु� तप कु�लं� falls in between 11-36 A.M. and lasts till 12-24 P.M. This time will vary from place to place depending upon time of sunrise and sunset. Hence the right time to perform SrAddham is around 12noon.2.Apart from कु� तप कु�लं� , black sesame seeds हितलं� and *dharbha* grass aresignificant in *SrAdham.3.*For any reason, if one is not able to perform *ShraAdham* on relevantहितथि� , he should abstain from eating that day and perform it on thefollowing day.4.One not knowing Veda and one who is sick should not be selected toofficiate as *SrAdha Brahmana.5.*Brothers can not be selected as *SrAdha Brahmanas.6.* Bachelors and one who is married but not having issues is not eligibleto officiate as *SrAdhaBrahmana .ShrAdha* done during *pitr paksham, *unless the *pratyAbdika SrAdhaitself falls during pitr paksham, *is normally done as *HiranyasrAdham. *whichdoes not involve the performance of offerings to *pitrs *in *havan* andfeeding of *Brahmana*s. It is more or less like a *sankalpa srAdham *taking20 minutes or so, unlike the *ParvanavidhAna SrAdham *which takes 2 to 3hours from the time of commencement. Offering of *dakshina* to Brahmanas iscommon to both forms of *SrAdham.*

During *Pitr paksham, ShrAdham can be performed on any Tithi. *Theofferings are meant for Pitrs on either side. Not only that. Offeringsalso made in favour of Pitrs known as *Karunika Pitrs, *which

expressionincludes all realtives in addition to the *Ubhayavamsa pitrs,* that is tosay, realtives who died without male issue, teachers friends etc. etc.forwhom the offerings are made out of compassion.

ShrAdham should be performed at home or on the banks of holy river or sea orin temples where requisite facilities are available. Please consult yourfamily Purohita for further details. 1.Of the two Brahmanas, the elder one is to be selected to officiate as *Visvedeva* and the younger one will be selected to sit as *Pitr Pitamaha*.2. The Brahmanas should be offered good quality *veshti *and *angavastram(vastram)*. Those who can afford, should buy silk dhoti andangavastam for Brahmanas.3. The *karta *should change his *upavitam *before commencing *ShrAdhakAryam. *He should repeat the mantras correctly and with properintonation. The mantras should not be rushed through by the Purohita.4. The Brahmanas should be paid decent Dakshina according to one`s ability.Offering of silver glass with water and gold coin to Brahmanas isconsidered meritorious. The Brahmanas should be treated at par with God.During ShrAdham the *karta should not show his anger on anybody.5.* For one full month prior to ShrAdham, the karta should not eat atother`s house or eat outside.6.Sleeping on bed and *strisangamam *are prohibited for at least one weekprior to the *tithi

1.Both *Aupasanam *and *Brahmayajnam are *daily rituals. They must beperformed at least on the day of *SrAdham. *Our forefathers used tocommence performing *aupAsanam at least *four days ahead of the *ShrAdhaTithi. ShrAddham is to be performed in aupAsana agni.**2.*Both the performer of *SrAdham *and the Brahmanas who eat during

*SrAdham*are prohibited from travelling on that day.3.After eating the food specially cooked for *SrAddham,* they both areforbidden from eating anything else.4. *SrAdham *should be observed on the respective month, respective *paksham* and respective *tithi* of father and or mother as the case may be.If the concerned *tithi *falls on two days, it must be observed on theday in which the *tithi * lasts after 1-30 P.M.and on which day theduration of the *tithi* is longer. If the duration of *tithi *is equal onboth days, then on the first day. If the *tithi *concerned falls twice ina month then it should be performed on the later one. If *Sankramanadosham *occurs on the second one, then the earlier one is the right one forperforming *SrAdham. *If *dosham *occurs on both the *tithis,srAdham *shouldbe observed on the later *tithi.* If there is no*tithi *in a month it can be performed in the previous month subject toverifying "*ChAndramAna Suddha Tithi.5.*If the *karta *becomes polluted on account of *asaucham* (arising out of death of blood relatives),*ShrAddham *should be performed on the day he is freed from *asaucham.6. *Hair-cutting/shaving etc. is prohibited on the day of *ShrAddham*for *karta *as well as *Brahmana*s.