Baby shower ceremony according to Hindu tradition

Sadh or Sadhbhakshan is a traditional pregnancy ritual observed by

Bengalis Bengalis ( ), also rendered as endonym and exonym, endonym Bangalee, are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the Bengal region of South Asia. The current population is divi ...

. It is performed during the eighth or ninth month of

pregnancy Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring gestation, gestates inside a woman's uterus. A multiple birth, multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins. Conception (biology), Conception usually occurs ...

, after the expectant mother completes seven months. The ceremony involves feeding the pregnant woman special foods as a gesture of wishing good health for both the mother and the unborn child. Sadh is a regional variation of Simantonnayana, a ritual of the ancient Indian Samskara. Similar traditions exist in different parts of India, known as ''Seemantham'' in

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

, ''Valaikappu'' in

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

, ''Godh Bharai'' in

Punjab Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...

, Godh Bharna in

Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...

and ''Dohale Jevan'' in

Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...

Meaning

According to Bengali tradition, the term "Sadh Bhakshan" or "Sadh Khawa" literally means a feast or ceremony based on the cravings of a pregnant woman. This event includes a variety of delicious foods, and the expectant mother is also showered with gifts as a symbolic gesture of filling her lap with blessings and joy.

Importance

During

, issues like

nutritional deficiencies Malnutrition occurs when an organism gets too few or too many nutrients, resulting in health problems. Specifically, it is a Deficiency (medicine), deficiency, excess, or imbalance of energy, protein and Vitamin deficiency, other nutrients whic ...

in the mother and low birth weight of the baby are common concerns. Additionally, as the baby's weight increases, the mother's body undergoes various physical changes, which, along with a lack of proper care, can sometimes lead to

mental distress Mental distress or psychological distress encompasses the symptoms and experiences of a person's internal life that are commonly held to be troubling, confusing or out of the ordinary. Mental distress can potentially lead to a change of behavior, ...

. To support the expectant mother, the Sadh Bhakshan ceremony includes offering her a variety of nutritious foods, blessings, and gifts such as a new

Sari A sari (also called sharee, saree or sadi)The name of the garment in various regional languages include: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * is a drape (cloth) and a women's garment in the Indian subcontinent. It consists of an un-sti ...

or items of her choice. This not only ensures her physical well-being but also helps maintain her

mental health Mental health is often mistakenly equated with the absence of mental illness. However, mental health refers to a person's overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how individuals think, feel, and behave, and how t ...

and

happiness Happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that encompasses a range of positive feelings, from contentment to intense joy. It is often associated with positive life experiences, such as achieving goals, spending time with loved ones, ...

References

{{Reflist Culture of Assam Culture of Bengal Human pregnancy in culture Culture of Bangladesh Rites of passage Indian culture by community Hindu rituals Women in India Hindu traditions Maternal health Women's health

Meaning

Importance

See also

References