On each day of the dark fortnight (Pitra Paksha), special offerings are made to the ancestors whose lunar date (Tithi) of death corresponds to that particular day. Favourite food items of the departed person are specially prepared and offered after performing a puja .

One must offer food to Brahmin and donate Yatha Shakti. A small portion of the food is also offered to the Cow (Gow Grass) before offering it to Brahmin..

A small portion of the food is also offered to the crow who is considered as a connection between the world of the living and the world of the dead. Round balls of rice and flour, called pinda , are also offered, along with the sacred kusha grass and flowers, amidst sprinkling of water and chanting of mantras from the Sam Veda.

Shraddh Tithi (Pitra Paksha Calendar) 15 september, 2008 to 29 September, 2008

Purnima (Full Moon) ka shraddha: 15 sept, 2008

Ekam (Pratipada) ka shraddha: 16 sept, 2008

Dyitia ka Shraddh: 16 sept, 2008 ( from 01:37pm  to 04:04pm IST)

Tritiya ka Shraddha: 17 sept,2008

Chaturthi ka shraddh: 18 sept,2008 (after 09/08 IST)

Panchami ka shraddh: 19 sept, 2008 (after 06/47 IST)

Shasthi ka shraddh: 20 Sept, 2008

Saptami ka shraddh: 21 September, 2008 (bhadra till 12/49)

Ashtami ka shraddh: 22 September, 2008

Navami ka shraddh: 23 September, 2008

Dashmi ka shraddha: 24 September, 2008

Ekadasi ka shraddh: 25 September, 2008

Dwadashi ka shraddh: 26 September, 2008

Tryodashi ka shraddh: 27 September, 2008

Chaturdashi ka shraddh: 28 September, 2008 (13/50 to 15/52)

Amavasya (SomvatiMaavas) ka shraddh: 29 Sept, 2008 (till 13/42)

Note : 1) Sarvpitru Sharaddh on 28/29 Sept.

2) Chaturdashi’s shraddha should observe on Amavas Day, unless some one died in accident/war.

If possible consult your pundits/purohit to perform this ceremony of departed souls.