Jamai Sasthi is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated primarily in West Bengal, observed on the sixth day of the Jyestha month according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This year, Jamai Sasthi falls on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. The term "Jamai" refers to son-in-law, and "Sasthi" denotes the sixth day of the lunar fortnight.
Jamai Sasthi 2024 Rituals
Jamai Sasthi holds special significance within the Bengali community, especially among families celebrating the bond between a mother-in-law and her son-in-law. The festival is marked by several rituals:
Invitation and Welcome The festivities begin with the mother-in-law extending a heartfelt invitation to her son-in-law and daughter to visit her home. Upon their arrival, they are warmly welcomed with traditional hospitality.
Morning Rituals Early in the morning, the mother-in-law performs a special bath and conducts a puja in honor of Devi Sashti, seeking blessings for the well-being and prosperity of her family.
Offerings to Devi Sashti As part of the ritual, offerings are made to Devi Sashti. This typically includes a plate adorned with rice, durbo (grass), and five different types of fruits, symbolizing abundance and fertility.
Blessings The mother-in-law blesses her son-in-law with grains and durbo grass, wishing him good health, prosperity, and success in all endeavors.
Jamai Sasthi Significance
The origins of Jamai Sasthi are rooted in mythology, which tells the tale of a woman who blamed a cat for consuming all the food in her home. This angered Goddess Sasthi, who is believed to ride the cat. As a result, the woman's child went missing. To appease Goddess Sasthi, the woman performed rituals, and the goddess returned her child. However, the woman's in-laws were displeased and prohibited her from visiting her parents. In an act of reconciliation and celebration, the parents invited their son-in-law and daughter to their home, marking the occasion as Jamai Sasthi.
During the Sasthi Puja, the mother-in-law seeks the blessings of Goddess Sasthi for the prosperity and well-being of her daughters and sons-in-law. The son-in-law is treated to an elaborate feast prepared by the mother-in-law, comprising both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Bengali dishes. This communal dining experience and the exchange of gifts symbolize the essence of Jamai Sasthi: celebrating family unity and the joy of reunion.
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