As Pitru Paksha begins on September 26, 2026, some prospective homebuyers and property investors are choosing to postpone purchases, bookings and registrations until the period ends. The traditional observance is generally considered an unsuitable time for starting major new ventures by many Hindu families.
Pitru Paksha, also known as Shraddh or Shradh, will be observed from September 26 to October 10 this year. The approximately two-week period is dedicated to performing rituals and paying homage to deceased ancestors.
Why property deals are delayed during Pitru Paksha
The hesitation around property transactions during Pitru Paksha is primarily linked to religious and cultural beliefs. Many families consider the period unsuitable for auspicious beginnings and therefore avoid making major purchases, including buying or registering a house, plot or commercial property.
As a result, some buyers and sellers may continue discussions but postpone signing agreements, completing registrations or finalising transactions until a more traditionally auspicious period.
In Mumbai, for instance, some property transactions are planned around the festive calendar, with buyers and sellers choosing to complete deals before Pitru Paksha or wait until Navratri, Dussehra or Diwali.
A Mumbai-based landlord, Rajendra Modi, said discussions over a proposed Rs 45-crore land sale in the city’s suburbs have been put on hold during Pitru Paksha.
According to Modi, the parties involved plan to resume paperwork and negotiations from the beginning of Navratri, with the aim of concluding discussions around Dussehra and potentially signing a memorandum of understanding with the developer around Dhanteras or Diwali.
He said the decision was based on the family’s belief that there was little reason to finalise a major property transaction during Pitru Paksha when the festive period and traditionally auspicious dates were approaching.
Developers view the slowdown as temporary
Real estate developers say the impact of Pitru Paksha is largely sentiment-driven and does not necessarily indicate a fundamental decline in housing demand.
“Buying a home in India is rarely just a financial decision; it is deeply rooted in emotion, belief and sentiment,” said Raahul Maroo, founder and managing director of Tatvm Builders and Developers.
According to Maroo, some buyers deliberately defer purchases during Pitru Paksha because they prefer to begin a new phase of their lives during an auspicious period. This can result in a temporary pause in transactions rather than a broad-based weakening of demand.
The period following Pitru Paksha, particularly Navratri and the wider festive season leading up to Dussehra and Diwali, is traditionally associated with increased interest in property purchases. Buyers who postpone decisions during Shraddh may therefore return to the market once the period concludes.
For many families, the timing of a property purchase is consequently determined not only by prices, financing and market conditions but also by religious customs and preferred auspicious dates.