After the departure of our ancestors to heaven, this is the only time which we get every year to express our gratitude towards them. This is not a day to mourn, rather this is the anniversary of the day when they left the eternal cycle of birth-death, to reach closer to salvation. But it is very sorry to note that most people do not even know the Hindu calendar date when their beloved departed from this earth. Every Hindu should perform Shraadh with full rites-rituals either on the actual Hindu date if known during these sixteen days of the year , or on Sarva Pitra Amavasya (6 October this year), if the Hindu date is unknown. This is a unique opportunity to feel our dead ancestors close to us. We should also teach the knowledge of this important sanskaar to our future generations also.
We should perform the Pitra Paksha Shraadh, not under any compulsion of fear or antagonization, but rather as a medium to receive blessings from our ancestors, as well as an opportunity to offer respect and tribute to them, thereby strengthening our own life and liberating all sins.
Many families suffer malefic ill effects due to the antagonization of their ancestors, which we are all aware of. You should definitely perform Shraadh during this Pitra Paksha to prevent such bad situations or bad sanskaar for you.
Your own,
Vineet Shrimali