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No matter what the caste or religion, there is an auspicious
ceremony to celebrate the coming of the baby. In the western
world this is typically known as the baby shower, where all
the female friends of them other-to-be come together to
celebrate the arrival of the child in the last trimester of
pregnancy. They get gifts for the baby, as well as play
games and have a small ceremony.
In India, such a celebration usually happens in the seventh
month of pregnancy. The mother of the mother-to-be mother
generally hosts this. All her closest friends and relatives
are invited. Like in the west, here also only the women are
invited for the ceremony. There is a priest who conducts a
small religious ceremony praying for the well-being of the
mother and the child that is going to be born.
Then all the women gathered fill the woman’s lap with gifts
or cash and bless her with a healthy baby and an easy
childbirth process. Some of them dance and sing
baby shower poems about pregnancy,
childbirth, motherhood and infancy. Some even perform dances
and enact short humorous skits. It is all a joyful
celebration. In India this ceremony is known as Gaud Baraaii.
This typically means filling of the womb.
No doubt on such an occasion the mother-to-be looks the
prettiest, and according to Hindu mythology on this
particular day she is visited by the Goddesses who shower
here with blessings for a successful childbirth. It is also
said that on this particular day they pray for the bright
future of the child to come. Sometimes the lady sit around
and tease the mother-to-be telling her that if she has a son
then he will bring home a mean daughter-in-law and if she
has a daughter then she will be so pretty that people would
ignore the mother for the daughter. Whatever they say is in
good jest.
It is not necessary that the pregnant woman’s mother’s side
organizes this function. It could also be done so at her
in-laws place. Or then it could also be a joint celebration.
Some people have it on a larger scale. However, most
families prefer to have it on a smaller scale with only well
wishers invited so as to keep all evil eyes at bay. .
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