Masika pindalu
Masika pindalu are the monthly offerings made through the first year after a death, on the tithi of death each month, ending with the first abdikam. There are twelve of them, with the additional ones some families keep. We give the family all the dates in writing after the sapindi karma and remind you before each.
The count is by the tithi, not the calendar date, which is why families lose track of it. After the sapindi karma we work the dates out for the whole year and give them to you on paper, and we call a few days before each one so it is not missed.
The karma itself is short: the pindam, the tarpanam and the danam, at home or at a ghat as your family keeps it. Where the family is away from Hyderabad in a given month, tell us and we will tell you what to do wherever you are, or perform it here in the karta’s name.
No prices are listed here. Each karyam is quoted on the phone, once we know the date, the place and the custom your family follows.
Questions about this karyam
How many are there in the year?
Twelve by the tithi, with the additional ones some sutras keep at the sixth month and the eleventh day. We list yours for you.
What if we are travelling that month?
Tell us. It can be performed here in the karta’s name, or we will tell you how to do it where you are.
Does it end at the first year?
The masikams do. From then it is the abdikam once a year, and the Mahalaya paksham tarpanam. We remind you for those too.
Can more than one masikam be done together?
Where a family has fallen behind — travel, illness, a karta posted away — the missed masikams can be made good together at the next tithi. It is not the same as keeping each one on its day, and we say so, but it is far better than leaving them undone. Tell us how many were missed and we will fold them in.