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.

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.

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.

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.