In Remembrance of those before us...
Tonight is Sarvapitri Amavashya (aka Pitru/Mahalaya Amavashya) or All-Soul's Day when ceremonies are performed around the world by Hindus in memory of our departed ancestors. Amavasya is the day of conjunction between the sun and the moon in the zodiacal sign of Kanya (Virgo). Or in other words, the 15th day of the dark half of a lunar month (in this instance the Hindu month of Bhadrapada).
Details:
In actuality, the entire process begins a fortnight before the actual Amavasya and the fortnight itself has a name - Pitri Pakshas. The end of Pitri Pakshas ushers in the next season (Durga Paksha), one full of religious festivals such as Navrathri (lit. 9 nights), Dussera, Diwali etc.
For this particular Amavasya however, people all over India would go to various sacred rivers such as the Ganga (Ganges) in North India to offer oblations to their ancestors. The priestly upper-castes (Brahmins) perform rituals on an elaborate scale according to the rules laid down in various religious manuals. Many families prepare the favorite dishes of their near-and-dear while some non-vegeterians even drink liquor and eat meat for the satisfaction of the departed ancestor.
Details:
In actuality, the entire process begins a fortnight before the actual Amavasya and the fortnight itself has a name - Pitri Pakshas. The end of Pitri Pakshas ushers in the next season (Durga Paksha), one full of religious festivals such as Navrathri (lit. 9 nights), Dussera, Diwali etc.
For this particular Amavasya however, people all over India would go to various sacred rivers such as the Ganga (Ganges) in North India to offer oblations to their ancestors. The priestly upper-castes (Brahmins) perform rituals on an elaborate scale according to the rules laid down in various religious manuals. Many families prepare the favorite dishes of their near-and-dear while some non-vegeterians even drink liquor and eat meat for the satisfaction of the departed ancestor.