1. Today marks the first day of the #PitruPaksha or #Shraadh as you may know it. In Hinduism, it is a 16-day period, where we remember our ancestors (pitras), by offering food. This year, it begins from today and ends on September 17.

2. During the period of Shraadh, the sons perform 'Tarpan' and worship of Vishnu and Yama, and perform 'pind daan', an offering to the ancestors of pindas (cooked rice and barley flour balls mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds).

3. Most Hindu families abstain from using onion and garlic food, and consumption of non-vegetarian food and alcohol, as these are 'tamasic' (causing negative effect to the mind and body). Tamasic foods donot assist in beneficial development of the higher chakras.

4. Since, the #Shraadh period is a period of mourning and remembrance, therefore not considered auspicious. Hence, no big event such as weddings, moving into a new house etc., or purchase of new and valuable stuff takes place during this time.

5. Feeding food to animals such as crows, cows and dogs is considered to be a path to salvation. Particularly feeding crows, because the crow is the 'vaahan' (vehicle) of Shani, as well as is blessed with a boon by 'Yama' the God of Death.

6. Yama blessed the crow to remain free from death and disease, unless people don't kill the bird, and if humans feed crows, it helps replenish the souls of their deceased ancestors. The 'pinds' are therefore offered to the crows, as they represent our past.

7. So, let us reflect, retrospect and reminisce our ancestors, ask them for forgiveness and pray to God that this earth be cleansed of all pain, death and disease, and that our predecessors bless us with love, health and happiness.
Hope you found this thread informative