JAMAI SOSHTI(A Son-in-law day)

Like as I already said you will never get bored in bengal neither with bengali's. As, there is something will keep on happening around a bengali whether it is politics, football, food or festivals. It is said we got 13 festivals in 12 months (now you can imagine where we spend our time what makes us always happy).

There comes a particular day in mid-June as Jamai Sashti, and the whole Bengal will look like full of awkward looking men semi happy and confused, of varying ages, dressed a little better than the ordinary, probably wearing a dhoti or punjabi going towards there in-laws house with a big smile on face (out of no reason, just a gesture of happiness). 

On, the other hand the mother-in-law "Sansuri" after the whole day of fasting will be waiting eagerly for his " Jamai".

After the arrival the over excited mother-in-law performs a small ritual for her jamai. The sons-in-law are welcomed by their in-laws in the traditional manner with a “Phota” of curd on his forehead and a yellow thread is tied on the right hand wrist. The thread is colored yellow with turmeric and is called “Sashti Suto” (which is also being tied to own children's wrist, as a kid I always have a fascination over it) which have the blessings of Maa Sashti. The sons-in-law get gifts, sweets and fruits from mother-in-laws and sons-in-law give also gifts to mother-in-laws as return gifts.

Now starts the main festival," festival of food " (a bengali family without food festival is just next to impossible) mother-in-law performs the ritual in which a plate with six delicious fruits which includes mangoes and lichis compulsarily is touched with the Jamai’s forehead. Whole event being the less important part the main attractions starts when Jamai's plate is surrounded by little katoris (bowls) full of different delicacies, vegetarian and non-vegetarian, and the jamai has to perform the supremely important task of the day – eat as much as he can. The whole ritual underlines what is at the centre of all Bengali rituals and celebrations – a grand meal. Few compulsory important food items will be Hilsa Fish (Bengal's emotion, over-hyped price nothing less than 1200-1500 a Kg), Chingri macher malaikari(prawn cooked with coconut and mustard, which will make you feel heavenly at any time).

Atlast, comes a plate of sweets and misti doi (how can a bengali meal is completed without sweets).

he ritual behind this festival is that the son-in-law will be closer to the in-law family. Thus, it is symbolized as unite between two families. As we know that Bengalis are famous for their love for food (so we do it over the food).

A special gift for this day comes from our government at times a half day leave (isn't it a cheery on cake?)

                                  EVERY JAMAI GOT A DAY!!!