Significance Of The Rituals (Monthly And Annual)

By B S Ranganath

Monthly and annual rituals are a core part of many families’ observances after losing a loved one. I’ve found them to be more than simple customs; they offer real comfort and a sense of structure during a period that can often feel unpredictable. The Hindu tradition, for example, outlines a specific calendar of rituals, including masikas and oonamasikas, to help families honor and remember the deceased. These ceremonies are meaningful, with each one serving a particular purpose as the year unfolds.

The tradition of performing sixteen monthly (masika) and extra (oonamasika) ceremonies in the first year after a death stems from the Hindu lunar calendar. Unlike the standard twelve-month English calendar, these ceremonies are based on the tithi, or the lunar day, which means the actual dates can switch up each year.

I have seen how these rituals guide families with a clear way to express grief, mark milestones in the mourning process, and keep memories alive. The routines bring people together, provide structure, and keep the departed close in thought and spirit during the transformation that the first year of loss brings. After this first year, the annual shraaddha becomes a regular event to continue the remembrance each year.

To get a real sense of what these rituals mean, I think it helps to look at what each ceremony involves and why people continue to observe them. The masikas refer to monthly memorial ceremonies held on specific tithis. Oonamasikas are additional rituals needed when the lunar cycle creates two tithis within one month or leaves out a tithi altogether. By following the lunar schedule as set forth in scriptures, families create a cycle of remembrance that is as much about spiritual closure as it is about cultural continuity.

Masika: A memorial service held each month after a death, usually on the same tithi (lunar day) as the original passing.

Oonamasika: Extra observances when the tithi repeats or goes missing due to lunar calendar adjustments.

Annual Shraaddha: The yearly ceremony, typically after the first year, marking the anniversary of the loss and inviting extended family for prayer and offerings.

When a family loses someone on a date such as 22nd January 2026, the first masika rituals do not simply follow the 22nd of each month. Instead, the Hindu panchang (calendar) is checked to find the matching lunar-date tithis for each monthly ceremony. This can result in some months with two rituals or some skipped due to the unique cycle of lunar movement. I always refer to the panchang or ask a knowledgeable priest to figure out the correct ritual dates. This extra consideration can be confusing, especially in the first year, so many families keep a written schedule or digital reminder to stay updated.

By mapping out ritual dates in advance, families avoid last-minute hassles. Sometimes, life circumstances like travel, illness, or work come up, making it difficult to perform rituals exactly on time. In these cases, flexibility and open communication among family members and with priests make it easier to stay committed to tradition without added stress.

Monthly rituals have given my family an outlet for shared grief. Sitting together, preparing the offerings, and reciting prayers has become a time to remember the person we lost, share stories, and support one another. This process helps manage the ongoing pain of grief by providing touch points for healing throughout the first year.

Annual rituals deepen that connection. Each year gives us an opportunity to gather, reflect on the ways our lives have changed, and keep the departed person’s values and memory present in our lives. Even after many years, these rituals remind me that absence does not have to mean forgetting. Instead, it becomes a form of presence through remembrance and ritual.

On a spiritual level, I believe these ceremonies help guide the soul on its adventure, according to Hindu tradition. The prayers, food offerings (pindadaan), and charity performed during masikas and annual shraaddha are said to benefit the deceased, helping them find peace and release from earthly bonds.

It is also believed that the rituals support positive karma, both for the individual who has passed and for their surviving family members. Many people I know look at these rituals as a way to honor not just the dead, but also the cycles of life and death itself. Participating in the rituals helps us remember our roots and teaches younger generations about respect, duty, and the sacred connection between families and ancestors.

I have seen these monthly and annual rituals offer stability for those grieving. People describe feeling less alone and more supported during ceremonies. The routine acts as a marker in time, breaking up the long passage of mourning into moments of reflection and community gathering.

Support Network: Relatives and friends often attend, strengthening bonds between survivors.

Teaching Tradition: Children witness these rituals and learn cultural values and spiritual beliefs firsthand.

Spiritual Reassurance: Ritual actions, such as lighting lamps and making food offerings, are seen as ways to bring peace to the deceased and comfort for those left behind.

As someone who has managed these traditions personally, a bit of planning goes a long way. I usually set up a calendar at the start of the year with ritual dates and make a list of what is needed for each observance, such as specific foods, flowers, and items for worship. Staying in touch with older family members or community priests helps answer questions and clear things up if uncertainty comes up.

Maintain a Calendar: Write ritual dates on a family calendar or digital planner to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Advance Preparation: Purchase and prepare ritual items ahead of time to reduce last-minute  stress.

Involve Family: Share responsibilities so everyone participates in planning, preparation, and observance.

For families living overseas or in non traditional setups, connecting via video calls has made it easier to include far away relatives. Families often record parts of the ceremony or share photos to keep traditions present among members living apart. Technology has become an unexpected ally in maintaining the emotional bonds that these rituals make possible.

Monthly and annual the rituals help families acknowledge loss in a healthy, communal way. I see them as a bridge between past and present, giving space for both private grief and public remembrance. The regularity is a comfort; I always know when I’m going to take time to remember, reflect, and celebrate the life of the person I miss. In keeping the rituals alive, I keep those memories vivid and honor the continuity of family across generations.