“12 Mashe 13 Parbon”!!! It is a legendary saying among Bengalis and it literally signifies 13 festivals in 12 months. We celebrate uncountable festivals in a year and no celebrations are complete without Bangali bhuribhoj (a grand feast). Jamai Sasthi is an auspicious and special day dedicated to all the sons-in-law. It is nothing less than any grand Bengali festival and sons-in-law are the biggest attractions of this festive arrangement.
What Is Jamai Sasthi? Why Do Bengalis Celebrate The Day?
On this joyous occasion, every son-in-law visits their in-laws’ house with his wife. A whole fiesta is arranged for jamai (son-in-law) and daughter. Usually, wives’ parents cook for their daughter and son-in-law and feed them loads of delicacies with lots of love. The entire family comes together and celebrates this beautiful day. Every Bengali household with a jamai celebrates this auspicious day with pomp, glory, and a huge spread of food.
Different rituals are celebrated in different households on this day. In the majority of houses, the mothers-in-law worship Goddess Sasthi and do Sasthi Puja for their daughters and sons-in-law. MILs pray and seek blessings from Goddess Sasthi for good health, prosperity, and well-being.
No Bengali celebrations are ever complete without gorging on the most delectable delicacies. When it comes to the mothers-in-law feeding their pampered sons-in-law, they go to every extent to prepare the most extravagant food spread. The summer during Jamai Sasthi in West Bengal is simply intolerable but every in-law makes sure to cook all the dishes that their jamai and daughter love.
The Fiesta Is Incomplete Without These Bengali Delicacies!
There are tons of food prepared in every household. Both authentic Bangali Khabar and dishes from different cuisines are prepared. Whatever the sons-in-law and daughters love, the MIls and FILs present those on the table. Among all these dishes, some delicacies are the most common and are surely made in every Bengali kitchen on Jamai Sasthi. The gastronomical experience begins with aam porar sharbat, luchi, begun bhaja, alur dum, mango, seasonal fruits, mishti, and more such options.
For lunch, we Bengalis love gorom gorom bhaat (steamed rice), maacher matha diye dal (fish head dal), 5 kinds of fried vegetables, kosha mangsho, chingri malaikari, bhetki paturi, pabda sorshe, ilish bhapa, mishti doi, rosogolla, and more such tempting recipes. Bengalis have an undying love for mutton biryani and this dish is also served in many households.
Also read: Poila Baishakh 2023: These 5 Lesser-Known Bengali Delicacies Are A Must Try!
After a massive bhuribhoj at lunch, Bengalis love to relish some deep-fried food items for evening snacks. And for dinner, it is once again a feast of loads of maach and mangsho.
Dedicated to sons-in-law, Jamai Sasthi is a day of indulging in good food and enjoying a good time with the in-laws. To all the new sons-in-law, are you guys excited?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.