In ancient times there were twelve lion spirits who lived on Somros. Once Barishdas conceived and gave birth to a girl child named Achoda. She used to be unhappy because she didn't have a father and as a result she longed for father's love. She used to cry a lot. The spirits in Pitru Loka advised her to be born on earth as the daughter of King Amavasu. She followed his advice and was born as the daughter of King Amavasu, who was a very great king. He got his father's love and care as per his wish and felt satisfied. As his wish came true, he decided to thank the Pitras for their valuable advice and hence arranged for the Pitra Pooja, called Shradh, for the inmates of Pitra Loka. Shradh is performed on the day when the moon is not visible and thus that day is known as Amavas. Since then, the custom of offering shraadh to the ancestors on new moon day started.
