Why is Jamai Shashti celebrated? Significance | History | Rituals

‘Jamai’ means son-in-law and ‘Shasti’ is the sixth day in a fortnight in a traditional Hindu calendar. Jamai Shasti is observed on the sixth day of traditional Hindu calendar’s Jyestha month. The Jamai Shasti festival is dedicated to strengthen the bond between son-in-law and their mother-in-law. This year Jamai Sasthi 2022 will be celebrated on 5th June 2022.

Significance:

In Bengali families, a wonderful holiday called 'Jamai Shasti' is observed, which demonstrates great relationship between son-in-law and his in-laws. Jamaishasthi, the traditional celebration, began as a component of a woman's socio-religious obligation centuries ago. 

This common social tradition builds the groundwork for strong family ties. His in-laws or Shoshur bari give everyone of his son-in-laws a treat. Hindu households in West Bengal have been commemorating the day since ancient times. The in-laws throw a celebration for their daughter and her husband. 

History and Legend:

According to legend, there once lived a woman who ate all of the food in the home and blamed it on a cat. Goddess Sasthi, who rides a cat, was furious with her. As a result, when the housewife had her children, one of them went missing. She then began conducting ceremonies in order to please Goddess Sasthi. Later, the goddess returned her child to her. When the women's in-laws learned of the incident, they were furious and prevented her from visiting her parents. On the day of Sasthi Puja, the parents, excited to see their daughter, invited their son-in-law and their daughter to their home. Hence, that day came to be known as Jamai Sasthi. It is celebrated as a day of reunion and happiness.

Rituals and Celebration:

Mother-in-laws prepare special meals and invite their daughters and sons-in-law to a feast honouring them, which consists primarily of Hilsa fish. The son-in-law is greeted in the customary style by his in-laws, who place a "phota" of curd on his forehead and tie a yellow thread around his right wrist and forehead. The thread is called 'Shashti Suto,' because it is yellow with turmeric and has the blessing of Ma Shashti, who looks for children. Gifts, sweets, and fruits are given to the son-in-law, and he also presents gifts to the mother-in-law. The mother-in-law then conducts the ceremony of touching the Jamai's forehead with a dish containing six fruits.

In many other parts of India, the day is known as Aranya Sasthi. The event is important in bringing the couple, particularly the son-in-law (Jamai), closer to the in-law family, hence strengthening family bonds. Bengalis are known for their culinary prowess. Following the ceremony, a modest feast is planned. The best and most popular dishes of one's son-in-son-in-son-in-son-in-son-in-law law's law's law's law's After that, the visitors are fed unusual Bengali cuisine. A must-try are various seafood dishes, prawn malaikari, and the most renowned Bengali dessert, 'Sandesh.' While her son-in-law gorged on his dinner, his mother-in-law fanned him with a palm leaf.

The cuisine is the most important aspect of this day. The mother-in-law prepares all of the delights for her son-in-law. Fish is the most important dish on the menu. Rice, dal, pooris, prawn stew, and desserts are also offered with love and devotion on the dish. This day is eagerly anticipated in order to bring the son-in-law closer to the rest of the family. It also strengthens the family tie.

Offering puja is an integral aspect of the occasion as a whole. To make the day more pleasurable and entertaining, all of the relatives are asked to participate in the celebration. The day is considered auspicious and is an important component of Bengali culture.