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Bringing together families and appetites
Food and celebration are the two favorites of Bengalis. Jamai Sashti brings both of them together.
It is the day dedicated to sons-in-law that are celebrated overwhelmingly in West Bengal.
On this auspicious day, all Bengali mothers-in-law prepare a feast for their sons-in-law. Special dishes are prepared for this occasion.
At the center of all this preparation is the special thali prepared just for the occasion. Mothers-in-law pamper their sons-in-law and feed them to the point that they can hardly breathe.
Sons-in-law have no option but to comply with the whims of their loving mothers-in-law. This festival helps in bringing son-in-law closer to the family.
It is a joyful and cheery festival and is enjoyed by the entire family.
This festival puts up quite a show at every Bengali household, on one side is helpless son-in-law on the other side is the bossy but loving mother-in-law.
The festival also involves various rituals for the long life of son-in-law.
This festival celebrates families and fraternity.
Legend
According to the legend, once there was an extremely greedy woman.
This woman used to eat up everything that was cooked in the house.
When cornered, she used to blame everything upon the cat.
The cat was very close to Goddess Sashti and complained to her regarding this matter.
Goddess Sashti took it upon herself to teach this woman a lesson and hid all of her children.
The woman regretted her actions and performed rituals before the Goddess.
She also cooked delicacies to please the Goddess.
The Goddess was eventually satisfied and melted upon the dedication of the greedy woman.
Due to the actions of the woman Goddess returns her children to her.
Since then all women celebrate Sashti Puja for the long lives of their children.
Rituals
The rituals performed during Jamai Sashti are simple but significant.
The son-in-law and daughter are welcomed into the house.
The mother-in-law carries a thali which contains durbo, grains, and five different fruits.
The mother-in-law then sprinkles grains and durbo on the head of her son-in-law and gives him her blessings.
Then she makes a mark on son-in-law’s head with curd.
The final ritual has the mother-in-law tying a yellow thread on son-in-law’s thread and prays for his long and prosperous life.
Food
No Bengali festival is complete without food.
Bengali just loves their food and rightfully so, the food in West Bengal is fragrant and mouth-watering.
Jamai Sashti brings the entire platter up a notch.
All kinds of delicacies are prepared by mother-in-law for her son-in-law.
Fish is the star of the menu.
Apart from the fish, rice, pooris, luchi, dal, prawn curry, mutton curry, and sweets are served in the thali.
It is a sight to behold.
The son-in-law is the center of the entire event with plates of food presented before him.
He is left completely on the mercy of his mother-in-law whom he cannot displease.
Usually, the course is finished with son-in-law holding out his stomach trying to breathe.
If you are an outsider Jamai Sashti is an occasion you just shouldn’t miss.
You will be welcomed to an assortment of delicacies you would have never dreamt of in your wildest dreams.
Jamai Sasthi
India is a culturally rich land.
Many amazing festivals are celebrated here of which the citizens have not even heard about.
A beautiful festival called ‘Jamai Sasthi‘ is celebrated in Kolkata which displays beautiful bonding of son-in-law with his in-laws.
The traditional festival of Jamai Sasthi originated ages ago as a part of a women’s socio – religious duty.
The son-in-law is called ‘Jamai’ and ‘Sasthi’ means sixth, thus the festival is observed on sixth day of shukla paksh in Jyestha month of traditional Hindu calendar.
This popular social custom lays foundation of a strong family bonding.
All the son-in-laws get a treat from his in-laws or ‘Shoshur bari’.
The day is celebrated since older days by the Hindu families all over West Bengal.
A party is organized the in-laws for their daughter and her husband.
Mother-in-laws cook special dishes and invite their daughter and Sons-in-law to honor them with a feast that essentially consists of Hilsa fish.
The son-in-law is welcomed by his in-laws in traditional way with a “phota” of curd on his forehead and a yellow thread is tied on the right hand wrist and forehead.
The thread is colored yellow with turmeric and is called ‘Sasthi Suto’ which have blessing of Maa Sasthi who takes care of children.
Son-in-law is presented gifts, sweets and fruits and he too gives gifts to the mother-in-law.
Then mother-in-law performs the ritual in which a plate having six fruits is touched with the Jamai’s forehead.
The day is observed as Aranya Sasthi in many other regions.
The festival plays vital role in bringing the couple especially the son-in-law (Jamai) closer to the in-law family, thus helps in making family ties safe and sound.
Bengalis are famous for their love for food.
After performing the rituals a small feast is organized.
Best and favourite delicacies of one’s son-in-law are prepared.
The guests are then served exotic Bengali dishes. Various fish delicacies, prawn malaikari and the most famous Bengali sweet ‘Sandesh’ are a must.
The mother-in-law fanned her son-in-law with a palm leaf while he gorges on his food.
Jamai Sasthi
Ahoy there! Today will take you to the land of mouthwatering delicacies and festivities.
But before that, can you make any guesses about where we are going to take you today?
If the name of West Bengal popped into your mind, then congratulations, peep, you could not be more right.
So let’s begin our blog with a very famous ritual of West Bengal, which is all about a mother-in-law pampering her son-in-law- Jamai Sasthi .
So you can think of this day as a unique blend of cultural traditions, mouth-watering delicacies and loads of fun! If you are wondering when is Jamai Sasthi, then is here to help.
This year we celebrate this festival on 25th May .
In addition to dressing up in traditional attire, you can indulge in delicious dishes such as Luchi, Cholar Dal, Hilsa fish and Mutton Curry during this festival.
If you think that Jamai Sasthi is all about food and dressing up, then you might be mistaken! Instead, the day is to commemorate the bond that exists between the mother-in-law and her son-in-law and to recognise the role that he plays in the lives of their wives.
So, don’t you agree that Jamai Sasthi is a celebration that should not be missed? Whether you are a son-in-law seeking ways to pamper yourself or a mother-in-law eager to show your son-in-law all of your love and affection.
Come with us as we celebrate together this unique festival by exploring Jamai Sasthi meaning, significance, history, customs and much more!
Jamai Sasthi Significance
Jamai Sasthi is around the corner, and we cannot keep our calm.
So, peeps, are you ready to learn about the coolest festival in town, Jamai Sasthi significance?
For starters, let us tell you that this festival is all about celebrating the unique bond between a mother-in-law and her son-in-law.
If you ask a Bengali, Jamai Sasthi is a big festival in West Bengal, as it revolves around feasting, gift-giving and good vibes. But that isn’t all.
Jamai Sasthi is also a time to enjoy delicious Bengali cuisine.
We’re talking about Hilsa fish curry, Cholar dal, and Shukto, among other tasty meals.
Don’t forget about the sweets! Rasgullas, Sandesh, and Mishti Doi are just a few of the delicious sweets that must be consumed on this occasion.
Don’t forget about the son-in-law! His mother-in-law and other family members treat him with respect, affection, and love for Jamai Sasthi.
He is also given gifts and blessings, indicating his importance as a member of the family.
This custom celebrates the son-in-law’s contribution to the family and shows that he is an integral part of it.
Jamai Sasthi is, at its heart, a celebration of love and family.
It’s a time for people to get together and share their joy, laughter, and happiness.
It’s a day to make cherished memories that will last a lifetime and to enhance family bonds.
So, why not join in the festivities and celebrate this wonderful festival with your loved ones?
You will not regret it for sure!
History of Jamai Sasthi
We know that most of you are now curious about knowing the history behind this fun festival of Bengalis.
If you have been looking for the history of Jamai Shoshthi, look no further, as we take you back to the times when this ritual started.
The Greedy Woman
Once upon a time, there was a greedy woman who was a voracious eater.
She had a habit of finishing all the food in the house.
However, whenever she was confronted with eating all the food, she would blame it on the cat, saying she was the one who ate all the food.
This kept on happening for days, and the greedy lady enjoyed the food, and every time she said, the cat snuck in and ate everything.
The Goddess Sasthi’s Anger
However, one day Goddess Sasthi, who rides on a cat, came to know about the deception of this greedy lady.
So, she decided to teach her a lesson.
A few months later, when the greedy lady gave birth to kids, one of the babies went missing soon after.
Desperate to find her child, the lady turned to Goddess Sasthi and asked for help.
However, the goddess was still furious, and she refused to intervene and said that she would not help her.
Lost and heartbroken, the lady decided to offer her prayers to appease Goddess Sasthi.
Several days went by, but the lady did not stop performing rigorous prayers until one day when Goddess Sasthi appeared in front of her, happy and appeased.
Goddess Sasthi decides to return her child but on only one condition if she won’t lie ever again.
The in-Law’s Punishment
However, the story does not end here.
Soon, the lady’s in-laws got to know about this whole incident and got angry with her.
As a result, they forbade her from visiting her parent’s house as a form of punishment.
Feeling helpless, the lady’s parents invited their son-in-law and daughter to their house on the day of the Jamai Sasthi pooja.
Seeing their love and affection towards their son-in-law, the lady’s in-laws decided to forgive her for her lies and mistakes.
And since that day, families have gathered to celebrate the relationship between a mother-in-law and her son-in-law on this day of reunion and joy.
Jamai Sasthi Rituals
Jamai Sasthi in Bengali families is a big deal, especially for the mother-in-law who loves their son-in-law like their own children.
The day of Jamai Shoshthi is all about welcoming the son-in-law with open arms and treating him like a king.
So, without further ado, let’s take a glimpse at Jamai Sasthi rituals.
- The family goes all out to prepare for the occasion, from ordering big fish to stocking up on sweets.
- When the son-in-law arrives, he is greeted with a special ritual. It involves giving him fruits and blessings and tying a yellow thread known as ‘Sasthi Suta’ around his wrist. Also, the mother-in-law applies a ‘Phota’ curd on her son-in-law’s forehead along with Sasthi Suta.
- The main event is the elaborate lunch, with lots of delicious Bengali dishes such as Hilsa fish spread out on the table, and the son-in-law is the guest of honour.
- The mother-in-law fans him with a palm-leaf hand fan while he savours the food.
- The origins of Jamai Sashthi date back to a legend about a greedy daughter-in-law who blamed her cat for eating all the food.
- The cat complained to Goddess Shasthi, who taught the daughter-in-law a lesson and helped her regain her stolen children.
- Inspired by the legend, women started praying to Goddess Shasthi for their children’s well-being, and eventually, Jamaisashthi became a celebration of the bond between mothers-in-law and sons-in-law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the concept of Jamai Sasthi?
Bengalis traditionally celebrate Jamai Sasthi to recognise the bond between a mother-in-law and her son-in-law. Mothers-in-law prepare a lavish feast for their sons-in-law, shower them with presents, and ask for blessings for their wellbeing on this day.
2. What are the customs and rituals of Jamai Sasthi ?
Mothers-in-law generally invite their sons-in-law to their houses on Jamai Shoshthi and conduct a puja or ritual to ask for blessings for their health. Also, she then presents her son-in-law with sweets, clothing, and other gifts and pampers him with a tasty lunch. As a sign of appreciation, the son-in-law is also expected to bring gifts for his mother-in-law.
3. How is Jamai Sasthi celebrated?
In West Bengal and other places where Bengalis reside, Jamai Sasthi is observed with much pomp and show. People prepare mouthwatering dishes, dress in traditional attire, and exchange gifts. On this day, family members gather to feast and have fun while honouring the relationship between a mother-in-law and her son-in-law.
4. What do Bengalis do on Shashti?
In the Hindu calendar, Shashti is considered a lucky day for beginning new projects and requesting divine blessings. Therefore, as part of their religious practices on this day, Bengalis observe fasts, perform pujas, and visit temples in order to obtain blessings.
5. Which God rides a cat?
In Bengali mythology, Goddess Sasthi is the one who rides a cat. It is believed if a cat enters a house, it is said to bring good luck and prosperity to the family. Also, it is common for Bengali households to keep cats as pets, and they are treated with great love and affection.
6. What is Jamai Sasthi date ?
The Bengali festival of Jamai Sasthi is generally observed on the sixth day of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, in May or June, according to the Gregorian calendar. This year Jamai Sasthi will be celebrated on 25th May .
Jamai Sasthi
India is a culturally rich land. Many amazing festivals are celebrated here of which the citizens have not even heard about.
A beautiful festival called ‘Jamai Shasti’ is celebrated in Kolkata which displays beautiful bonding of son-in-law with his in-laws.
The traditional festival of Jamaishasthi originated ages ago as a part of a women s socio-religious duty.
The son-in-law is called Jamai and Shasti means sixth, thus the festival is observed on sixth day of shukla paksh in Jyestha month of traditional Hindu calendar.
This popular social custom lays foundation of a strong family bonding.
All the son-in-laws get a treat from his in-laws or Shoshur bari .
The day is celebrated since older days by the Hindu families all over West Bengal.
A party is organized the in-laws for their daughter and her husband.
Mother-in-laws cook special dishes and invite their daughter and Sons-in-law to honor them with a feast that essentially consists of Hilsa fish.
The son-in-law is traditionally welcomed by his in-laws with a “phota” of curd on his forehead and a yellow thread is tied on the right hand wrist and forehead.
The thread is coloured yellow with turmeric and is called ‘Shashti Suto’ which have blessing of Ma Shashti who takes care of children.
Son-in-law is presented gifts, sweets and fruits and he too gives gifts to the mother-in-law.
Then mother-in-law performs the ritual in which a plate having six fruits is touched with the Jamai’s forehead.
The day is observed as Aranya Sasthi in many other regions.
The festival plays vital role in bringing the couple especially the son-in-law (Jamai) closer to the in-law family, thus helps in making family ties safe and sound.
Bengalis are famous for their love for food.
After performing the rituals a small feast is organized.
Best and favourite delicacies of one’s son-in-law are prepared.
The guests are then served exotic Bengali dishes.
Various fish delicacies, prawn malaikari and the most famous Bengali sweet ‘Sandesh’ are a must.
The mother-in-law fanned her son-in-law with a palm leaf while he gorges on his food.
Son-in-laws are the centre of everybody’s attention on the day.
He thoroughly enjoys and loves the attention he is getting from his in-laws.
The social activity was more intense in earlier times.
Jamai Sasthi
Jamai Sasthi (Son-in-Law Day) is a Bengali national holiday dedicated to the son-in-law (West Bengal, Bangladesh).
Jamai sasthi is a prominent celebration in West Bengal.
It falls on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha (Moon Waxing Phase) in the Bengali month of Joishtho (Jaishtho) (May – June).
Goddess Sashti is worshipped on this day in several locations for the well-being of children.
In a traditional Hindu calendar, ‘Jamai’ signifies son-in-law, while ‘Shasti’ indicates the sixth day in a fortnight.
It is customary norm in Bengal to invite and honour sons-in-law on their wedding day.
On certain occasions, mother-in-laws prepare unique delicacies, such as Hilsa fish.
Jamai is a Bengali holiday that is highly respected in Indian culture.
The festival’s organisation is an important component of Bengali culture.
The term ‘jamai,’ which means’son-in-law,’ implies a close relationship.
The Story Behind Jamai Sasthi
The mother-in-law welcomes her son-in-law and her daughter to the in-laws’ (Shoshur bari) house once a year.
The arrival of the daughter and son-in-law was marked by a small social gathering.
Bless with a plate of rice, durbo (grass), and five kinds of fruits after bathing in the morning.
On the son-in-forehead, law’s a mark or “drop” of yoghurt is put, and a yellow thread is strung around his wrist.
After the sasthi puja, holy water is sprinkled, and the mother-in-law prays for the lifespan of her daughter and son-in-law.
Following the puja, the mother-in-law showers her son-in-law with presents and places her hands on his head to wish him a long life.
His mother-in-law received several particular gifts from his son-in-law.
These rituals are being observed today.
Special Dishes and Rituals on Jamai Sasthi
Lunch is always a lengthy event.
The main entrée is surrounded by bowls of finely cooked vegetable curry and several fish curries.
A platter piled high with rice or polau.
The passage of the human heart is considered to pass via the stomach of a Bengali thali eater.
This festival is centred around food.
From hot rice to pan-masala, luchi, potato tarkari, fried eggplant, mung dal, onion pakor, various fish flavours, shrimp malaikari, rasgolla, sandesh, mango curd, sweet curd
The woman was driven to the woodland from her home.
She grieved, and the goddess Sasthi appeared before him in the form of an elderly man, showing him mercy.
The goddess Sasthi reminded the woman of her previous wrongdoings while the woman expressed her sadness.
He confessed his sins and pleaded for forgiveness.
She was then instructed to conduct various social rituals in order to reclaim her children.
Many ladies were moved by this narrative and began to pray and worship Goddess Sasthi for their children.
It gradually returned to ‘Jamai Sasthi’.
Jamai Sasthi
The word “Jamai” refers to a son-in-law in Bengali, while “Sasthi” means the sixth day of the lunar fortnight.
On this day, mothers-in-law prepare special meals and sweets for their sons-in-law and invite them to their homes.
The sons-in-law are treated as guests of honor and are showered with gifts and blessings.
The festival has both religious and cultural significance.
It is believed that observing Jamai Sasthi will bring good fortune and prosperity to the family.
The festival also serves as an opportunity to strengthen the bond between mothers-in-law and sons-in-law, who are traditionally seen as important members of the family.
During Jamai Sasthi, the sons-in-law are typically presented with new clothes, jewelry, and other gifts.
They are also served with a special feast, which usually includes traditional Bengali dishes such as fish curry, and rice, and sweets such as rasgulla and sandesh.
In some households, the sons-in-law are also given a ceremonial bath, after which they are offered new clothes and gifts.Jamai Sasthi is a celebration of family and tradition, as well as a recognition of the important role that sons-in-law play in Bengali households.
It is a time for family members to come together and strengthen their bonds, and to express their love and gratitude towards one another.
Jamai Sashti
Jamai Shasti is dedicated to the son-in-law and is observed mainly in Bengal.
It is observed on the sixth day during the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase of moon) in the month of Jaishto (May – June) in Bengal.
In many regions, Goddess Sashti is worshipped on the day for the well being of the children.
‘Jamai’ means son-in-law and ‘Shasti’ is the sixth day in a fortnight in a traditional Hindu calendar.
Sons-in-law are invited and honored on the day by the in-laws and is social custom in Bengal.
Mother-in-laws cook special dishes especially Hilsa fish on the day.
The son-in-law is traditionally welcomed to the house and a yellow thread is tied on the wrist.
He is given gifts and in return he gifts the mother-in-law.
Then a sumptuous dish is served which mainly includes vegetarian and fish dishes.
The significance of Jamai Sashti lies in fostering harmony and unity within the family and honoring the relationship between the son-in-law and his in-laws.
It’s a joyous occasion marked by love, laughter, and delicious food, strengthening familial bonds and promoting a sense of belonging and togetherness.