The Tarpanam Rituals:

Several rituals are followed during the Pitru Tarpanam. A summary of the principal tarpanam rituals is below.

• Tarpan (shraddha) rituals are performed in honour of the deceased family members who passed away.
• The person performing the tarpanam rituals wakes up early and completes the morning chores. 
• The person performing the tarpanam and his family wear yellow clothes on this day and invite a Brahmin to their house.
• It is ideal for performing tarpanam by sitting on the banks of the river. If not possible, it can be performed nearby ponds, wells or at home.
• Generally, the eldest male in the family has to perform the shraddha ceremony.
• He wears a ring of darbha grass and the priest invokes the deceased ancestors to reside in the ring.
• The observer of the tarpanam ceremony performs the rituals bare-chested, as the position of the sacred thread worn by him needs to be changed multiple times during the ceremony.
• When the Brahmin comes, the observer of the ritual washes their feet and provides them a clean place to sit.
• According to Hindu scriptures, a specific direction for seating is followed depending on the Paksha. Deva Paksha Brahmin sits facing east, while Pitru Paksha and Maatru Paksha Brahmin sit facing the northern direction.
• The Tarpanam ceremony for deceased ancestors' souls should be performed by facing South.
• A dried grass twig (darbha) is necessary for performing Tarpan. Tarpan for deceased ancestors' souls should be performed from the tip and root of the two darbha grass.
• Sesame seeds are sprinkled on the floor where the Brahmins are seated.
• The Brahmin recites the mantras and invokes the ancestors of the observer’s family.
• The ‘Pitrus’ are worshipped with dhoop, Diya, and flowers. A blend of water and barley is also offered to the forefathers. 
• The shraddha ceremony involves Pinda dana, an offering to the ancestors of pindas (cooked rice and barley flour balls mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds), accompanying the release of water from the hand.
• Offering water to the deceased ancestors' souls should be done through the mid of the thumb and the hand's first finger.
• Tarpan should be performed taking three handfuls of water for deceased ancestors' souls.
• Following this, Lord Vishnu and Yama are worshipped.
• Now, the food offering is prepared, and it is placed as an offering for the crows.
• Crow is believed as a messenger from Yama or as a representative of deceased ancestor.
• The Special food is prepared for this event is offered to the Brahmins after the puja rituals are over.
• Once the ancestors (crow) and Brahmins have eaten, the family members can begin lunch.

The things required for doing Tarpanam

The following are the items required during the Tarpanam ceremony.

• A mat to sit on; generally, a mat made from sacred Darbha grass is ideal to be used in these ceremonies. If you cannot find a mat, you can use a wooden plank or a clean cloth made of natural fibre for sitting.
• Have a clean plate made of wood, copper, brass, or silver.
• Pour some clean water in a container made from wood, copper, brass, or silver and hold it in your left hand.
• Have some water in a separate bowl made from wood, copper, brass, or silver.
• Don't use utensils made from glass, stainless steel, or porcelain.
• Have some sesame seeds and dharba grass (also known as kusa grass) ready.
• If you are male, use black sesame seeds. If you are female, use white sesame seeds.
• Pavitram (ring-shaped) made of darbha grass has to be worn on the ring finger of the right hand.