TheTarpan(Offering holy water to the manes) is being done at the Jagannath Ghat,Kolkata,at end of the Pitru Paksha.
TarpanaorTarpaṇa(Sanskrit:तर्पण,Bengali:তর্পণ,Kannada:ತರ್ಪಣ,Tamil:தர்ப்பணம்) is a term in theVedic practicethat refers to an offering made to divine entities. It refers to the act of offering as well as the substance used in the offering.[1][2][3]Tilatarpana(तिलतर्पण,তিলতর্পণ,ತಿಲತರ್ಪಣ,திலதர்பணம்) is a specific form oftarpanainvolvinglibationsoffered to thepitri(deceased ancestors) using water and sesame seeds duringPitru Pakshaor as a death rite.[4]
Kosha Kushi(Bengali:কোশা-কুশী;lit.'Double Spoon') is used for puja. This Kosha Kushi is made of pure copper. Kosha Kushi is used for offering holy water to God and Goddess and also used for shradh tarpan puja. Kosha Kushi is an important ritual item used in the Tantric worship of the Divine Mother.
Tarpanais a form ofarghya(an offering). It is offered to alldevasas well as theNavagrahaswhenevermulamantrais recited asjapa.
forLakshmi,“आर्द्रां ज्वलंतीम् तृप्ताम् तर्पयन्तीम्”Ārdrāṁ jvalantīm tr̥ptām tarpayantīm(Śrī Sūkta4), "One who is satisfied and who satisfies those who offer Her Tarpana"[citation needed]
forTripura Sundari,“बिंदु तर्पण संतुष्टाम् पूर्वजा त्रिपुराम्बिका”bindu tarpaṇa santuṣṭām pūrvajā tripurāmbikā(Lalita Sahasranama178, 974), "One who is satisfied by just a single drop of Tarpana"[citation needed]
Tilatarpanais thetarpana(orarghya) offered topitrs(departed ancestors) by male descendants who do not have a living father. This is offered at the first annualshraddha(death anniversary) and during subsequent annual shraddhas,amavasyas(new moon days),sankramanas (solar ingresses), eclipses, and during visits to selected holy places of pilgrimage.
Blacktila(gingelly) seeds, used along with water as the offering.
Theyagnopavita(sacred thread) is to be worn in the opposing position (i.e., on the right shoulder, which is termed asprāchīnāvīti,प्राचीनावीतिorapsabhyain Sanskrit).
Apavitra(ring) made ofkushagrass should be worn on the ring finger of the right hand andkushagrasses in left fingers horizontally calledtekusha.
The hand while offeringtarpanavaries for offerings made todevas(Gods, Goddesses and Navagrahas),rishis(sages) andpitrus(departed ancestors).
(a) Fordevas,the offering is made to flow over the eight fingers of both hands adjoined together other than the thumb known asdev tirtha
(b) Forrishis,the offering is made to flow between both palms adjoined, the tarpan dripping between both palms known asrishi tirtha
(c) Forpitrus,the offering is made to flow over the left side of the left palm and the thumb of the left hand known aspitru tirtha,thejaneuoryagnopavitaresting on right shoulder falling to left side on the hip. This is known asupsavyaas theyagnopavitais resting on the left side so thepitru tarpanshould be offered with the left hand. This is the reason to circumambulate the deceased anti-clockwise. The left hand should be used forpind danam.In all other rituals apart frompitru shraddha,the use of the right hand is compulsory.
Gingelly is different than sesame, which is from a large tree; gingelly is a small seed that stores energy and hence is considered a favorite of allDevas,Shani(Saturn) andpitrus.Lord Ganeshais commonly offeredpancha-kajjaya,a delicacy made using sesame.Lord Shivais worshipped with sesame seeds (tilakshata). ForLord Vishnu,Lord Brahma,Goddess LaxmiandGoddess Saraswati,gingelly seeds are used in their favorite eatables. It is used as ahoma dravya(an ingredient in the fire offerings) in manyhavansandhomas.Therefore,tila(gingelly) andtilatarpanashould not be dismissed as inauspicious.[citation needed]
It is believed that one'spitrseagerly awaittarpana.If no offering is made, they return to their places disappointed, and the descendant misses their blessings that he would have received, if he had performed his filial duties.Kosha Kushiis an important ritual item used in the Tantric worship of the Divine Mother and represents theyoniand womb of the Goddess, as well as the astral body within the physical body and themicrocosmwithin themacrocosm.
