Donation of following 10 articles during ‘Pitra Paksha’ comes under ‘Mahadaan’. Ancestors get pleased if these articles are offered and donated by the person doing Shradhakarma.
1. Donate cow (Gow Daan) – The first and foremost article among the ten ‘Mahadaan’ in Pitra Paksha is Cow.
2. Donate Land (Bhumi Daan)- If ‘Shradhkarta’ can afford to donate land then he should donate a small piece of land to a needy poor person. If it is not possible then he should take a small lump of clay, keep it in a thali. Take Sanklap and donate it to a Brahmin along with ‘Dakshina’.
3. Donate Seasame (Til Daan)- Black Seasame seeds are considered auspicious for donation in Pitra paksha.
4. Donate Gold (Swarn Daan)- If one can not afford gold for donation, then Dakshina should be donated to a Brahmin.
5. Donate Ghee (Ghrit Daan)- Ghee made of Cow milk should be donated in a vessel.
6. Donate Clothes (Vastra Daan)- Two main clothes and two under clothes which are not torn and used one, better if the clothes are new should be donated to a Brahmin.
7. Donate Cereals (Dhaany Daan)- Wheat, Rice and other cereals should be donated after taking a Sanklap.
8. Donate Jaggery (Gud Daan)- Donation of jaggery in Pitrapaksha is also auspicious.
9. Donate Silver (Rajat Daan)- Ancestors bless their successors if they donate Silver in Pitra Paksha.
10. Donate Salt( Lavan) – Ancestors get satisfied if salt is donated in Pitrapaksha.
After offering food and donation to Brahmin, recite this mantra and pray to Lord Vishnu three times for the completion of ‘Shradhakarma’.
