Jamai Shasti. - The Bengali "Son-In-Law Day"

India celebrates many festivals and Jamai Shasti is one such festival mostly celebrated in West Bengal by the Bangalis. Celebrated in the end of May or begining of June this day shows the beautiful bonding of the "Shoshur Baari "in-laws with their Jamai "son-in-law". On this day the in-laws invite their daughter and son-in-law to their home and celebrate the occasion over a feast. The common belief is that it is done for the welfare of their daughter and son-in-law and also to the bring the couple closer to their family, hence strenghtening the ties. Jamai means "son-in-law" and 'Shasti' means sixth, thus the festival is observed on sixth day of shukla pokho in Jyestha month of traditional Bangla calendar. In earlier days when the daughter hardly got to go to her parents house this was one day she would look forward to.

On this day the Jamai and his wife sets out for their inlaws house with pots of misti and gifts.The occasion starts with the greeting of Jamai a curd "phota" on the forehead. The mother-in-law then touches the forehead of Jamai with a thala (plate) containing six fruits. It is followed by tying a yellow thread (turmeric coated) or "Shasti Shuto" on the right hand wrist of the Jamai. The thread is beleived to have the blessing of Ma Shashti, the divine protector of children.

Bengalis are known as food lovers. Once the rituals are performed, the guests are then served with food and delicacies. The royal treat consists of all the best exotic reciepes of the mother-in-law. The menu includes many varities of fishes (prawn n hilsa), chicken, mutton, sweets (rasogolla n sandesh) and fruits like (mango n jackfruit). The rest of the occasion all the members spend giving the quintessential Bangali adda. This is an occasion of honor and respect in West Bengal, a representation of family values. The Jamai is also gifted with clothes and sweets.

Now in this once in a year fare the aadure Jamai is pampered, showered with affection and hence this one day no Jamai will want to miss. So all the Jamai Babus head straight to your inlaws place with a haari (pot) of misti in your hand today.