Mon er Shaadh | Bengali Baby Shower Ceremony | Fifth Month Bengali Baby Shower | Pregnancy Diaries

Probably one of my most special posts on TicTalkToe – am glad that you have stopped by this post!

Shaadh loosely translates to a wish/desire. This is similar to the concept of a baby shower (as it is known abroad) or godh bharai (as it is known in North India), or Seemandham among Malayalis or Valaikappu among Tamilians or Shrimant among Gujaratis. So while India is a land of unity in diversity, this ceremony is known by different names in different parts of the country. However, the rituals and beliefs are more or less the same. In this ceremony, the would be mother is treated to her favourite dishes, blessed and showered with gifts by her friends and relatives. She is made to feel special as she anticipates her journey into motherhood. The idea is to keep her happy and surround her with positive vibes. Different parts of India have different customs and traditions to celebrate it. In West Bengal/among Bengalis, this is usually celebrated in the odd month of pregnancy (5th-7th-9th). Traditionally this is a “women-only” gathering.

This ritual had a completely different significance hundreds of years ago! Since the mortality of pregnant women was comparatively much higher then, the expectant mother would be fed with all that her heart desires. Many parents would even believe that their daughter might not make it alive after labour and delivery of her newborn! However, in the present times, where medical science has undergone tremendous advancement, Shaadh is now a joyous occasion which women look forward to! And no prizes for guessing, given the “enthu-cutlet” that I am, I too was waiting to celebrate this day as soon as I learnt about my pregnancy.

I really wanted to plan my baby shower as a close-intimate occasion at home. Infact, truth be told, I was not even sure if I could do it on my own. So a day before my 5th month baby shower, I googled the dates for Bengali Shaadh and settled for the morning after (since there were no other dates available next). It was a weekday, and I was working from home. However, I excused myself for the first half of the day from work! Next I placed an order on Big Basket for all the groceries and vegetables that were required for the occasion. There wouldn’t be too many people, just my in laws-husband and my mother. Then I called up mother and asked her to visit me the next day, who was clueless and was taken by surprise! “Ke ayojon korbe eto shob“, she exclaimed! (Who will be arranging so much at such a short notice?). But me being me, I woke up early in the morning the next day and quickly whipped up all the dishes, even before she had arrived! Needlessly, she was dumbstruck and pleasantly astonished.

Coming to the menu for the special day – treating me to my favourite dishes is no rocket science. Give me my favourite bhaat-daal-alu bhaja (Rice-Daal-Potato Fries), and I will be the happiest person on earth! I never craved for anything particularly during my pregnancy, so the menu was kept as simple as possible. I cooked –

• Basmati Rice with ghee
• Arhar Daal
• 5 types of vegetable fries (Potato, Cauliflower, Brinjal, Bitter Gourd, and Pumpkin)
• Shukto (That maa made at my place)
• Mutton Curry
• Nolen Gurr er Paayesh/Kheer (a sweet pudding with jaggery, that is typically cooked on happy occasions in every Bengali household)

I also fried Goynaa Bori/Noksha Bori (dried lentil dumplings that are shaped ornamentally) that I had sourced from a fair and reserved for this special occasion. Oh yes, Gondhoraj Lebu (a fragrant variety of lemon) to go with it. Maa cooked my favourite shukto for me after she arrived at my place. Shukto is again a typical Bengali vegetable dish that has a plethora of vegetables in it, namely, pumpkin, broad beans, sweet potato, brinjal, pointed gourd, drumsticks, bitter gourd, bori (dried lentil dumplings), green banana/plantain, and the list is basically exhaustive! You can add anything and everything into it! Shukto is seasoned with lots of ghee and milk, and is sweet in nature (atleast that is how we cook it in our household, and everyone relishes it). And yes, how can we forget the traditional roshogolla (this was sourced from a mithai shop). The meal starts with the bitter-sweet taste of shukto and ends with payesh/kheer. Yes, that is how unique Bengali taste platter is! Everything, even the water, was served in kaashar bashon (bronze utensils). And if you ask me, why you do not spot any fishy items on my plate, it is because I don’t eat fish!

So while everyone took turns to bless me, I enjoyed all the attention that was being showered on me! Mr. Pal and my Maa, both, gladly obliged by clicking a few photographs and videos that I would cherish throughout my life as memories from the happy occasion. Sharing a few moments!

And yes, the look was extremely simple for the day. Infact, fifteen minutes before the occasion, I finalised on which saree I would be wearing. Maa had lovingly hand stitched a kantha on Sea Green Bangalore Silk which became my choice for obvious reasons. Found a matching blouse to my rescue. Doctor had anyway refrained me from using makeup, so I just applied some moisturiser on my face. Did my brows. I chose MAC Paramount for my lips, which is a beautiful deep brown in a Satin finish. Some kohl to accentuate my eyes. A bindi and a pair of new shankha polaa (conch shell and coral bangles) were adorned. I paired them with some glass bangles. A tiny pair of gold earrings and mangalsutra completed the look. And yes, the sindoor/vermillion is not to be missed! I purposely left my hair open since I am wearing it short (also wanted to flaunt my new haircut).

And before you ask me, no, I did not finish that entire platter. Barely touched mutton curry! Was happy with my bhaat-daal-shukto-alu bhaja!

Do you also have any special memories associated with your baby shower or that of your close ones? Would love to hear from you. Also do not forget to shower your love in the form of comments on this post. I love reading your comments on my Blog, and probably that is the only thing which keeps me motivated.

Till then, have a great day!