This Pitra Paksh, propitiate Your Ancestors

Death is not the end of one's journey. It is only the beginning of a souls transition into the next body, or to mukti - as per their desire and karma.

According to the Garuda Purana – a detailed dialogue between Garuda ji (Bhagwan Vishnu's vaahan) and Shri Vishnu (specifically within the Preta Khanda or Preta Kalpa), during this phase the departed loved one does not usually possess a heavy physical, gross body (Sthula Sharira), instead, they are Vayubhuta, i.e. they have an aerial/gaseous form, travelling like airy spirits.

However, even in this disembodied form, they carry impressions of thirst and hunger, and of pleasure and pain.

Death is also not the end of one's connections with, and expectations from their loved ones and lineage. 

The pitri portal opens on Bhadrapada Purnima and carries on till Amavasya, Krishna Paksh, Ashwin – when pitris visit their loved ones – travelling at the speed of thought – expecting to relieve their hunger, thirst, and pain of after-life transition phase.

If ignored at this time, they are disappointed and cause spiritual afflictions (Pitra Dosha) resulting in unexplained delays, accidents, losses and trauma.