Varshik Shraddh (Barsi)

Significance and when it is done

Varshik Shraddh, also called Barsi (वार्षिक श्राद्ध, सांवत्सरिकश्राद्धम्), is the annual shraddh performed for a departed family member. It falls in the Pitru karma and last rites category, and the deity honoured is Pitru. Its purpose is to observe the first death anniversary rites, and by tradition it is repeated each year on the tithi connected with the death.

Families approach it as a quiet act of remembrance and duty rather than a festive occasion. The tone is calm: offerings, recitation and daan are made in the name of the departed, and the family gathers to keep that link intact. Because the correct tithi depends on the panchang and on the family's own calendar, the date is best confirmed with the pandit who will perform it, or through the muhurat shown on this page.

Who performs it and who should attend

Traditionally the eldest son or the karta of the family performs the rite, though customs differ and in many households another responsible family member takes the sankalp. Close relatives attend; who must be present, and who may simply offer respects, varies by region and family practice. Where the family cannot gather, Varshik Shraddh can be done online — many pandits perform it by video call while a family member does the physical steps at home. In that case, one person at the location should be ready to handle the samagri, the diya and the offerings as directed.

Vidhi step by step (outline)

The exact sequence follows the family's tradition and the pandit's sampradaya. A common outline runs as follows:

• Sankalp — the karta states the intention, the name of the departed and the occasion.
• Pitru smaran and invocation — remembrance of the ancestors and invitation to the rite.
• Pind daan — offering of pind, prepared from pind flour, with black til and kusha grass.
• Tarpan — water offering accompanied by recitation.
• Naivedya — fruits and sweets offered, with the diya lit and incense and camphor used.
• Daan — items set aside for donation, including the items kept for daan in the samagri list.
• Visarjan and prasad — closing the rite and sharing prasad.

No havan is part of this puja. Typical duration is about 2 h 30 min, depending on the tradition and how much is included. Treat the list above as an outline; the pandit will lead the actual order.

Preparing the samagri and the space

Keep the samagri together before the pandit arrives, so the ritual is not interrupted. The list includes:

• Roli (kumkum), Haldi, Akshat (unbroken rice)
• Moli (sacred thread), Supari, Paan leaves, Coconut
• Ghee, Diya and cotton wicks, Camphor, Incense sticks
• Flowers and garland, Fruits, Sweets for naivedya
• Ganga jal, Kalash, Kusha grass
• Black til, Pind flour, Items for daan

Choose a clean, quiet space, ideally the same area the family uses for daily puja. Set out a mat or seat for the karta, keep water and a cloth for cleaning nearby, and place the daan items separately so they are not mixed with the offerings. If the rite is being done online, position the camera so the pandit can see the thali and the offerings, and keep the phone or laptop charged and on a stable surface.

Regional variations

Practice differs across communities. North and South Indian households may arrange the pind, tarpan and naivedya differently, and Smarta and Vaishnava families follow their own sequence of mantras. The choice between amanta and purnimanta reckoning can also shift the tithi on which the shraddh is observed. These are genuine differences, not errors — follow the convention of your family and the guidance of the pandit conducting the rite.

After the puja: prasad, daan, dos and don'ts

After the closing, prasad is shared among those present, and the daan items are given as the family has decided. Many households keep the day simple, avoid celebratory events, and treat the meal with restraint. Common courtesies include not rushing the pandit, not turning the occasion into a social function, and keeping the focus on remembrance.

For fees, each pandit sets their own dakshina; typical dakshina is £101–201 in the UK, $151–301 in the USA and ₹2,100–5,100 in India, excluding samagri and travel. For anything tied to your own chart or family circumstances, consult a qualified jyotishi or your family pandit.