What is godh bharāī (the baby shower), and in which month is it done?

a blessing ceremony for the mother-to-be, usually in the 7th month, sometimes the 5th, 8th or 9th.

Godh bharāī literally means “filling the lap”. Elder women of the family fill the mother’s lap (the end of her sari or a cloth) with fruit, coconut, dry fruits, sweets and sometimes a small gift, and bless her and the baby with health and a safe delivery. It is as much about making the mother feel cared for as it is a ritual.

Most North Indian families do it in the 7th month; some prefer the 5th or 9th. In Maharashtra a similar celebration is called dohāḷe jevaṇ, in Bengal sādh, and in the South valaikāppu or sīmantam. A Gaṇeśa pūjā at the start is common, and the mother is often seated facing east.

Practically: keep it short and comfortable, choose a time when the mother is rested, avoid long standing or heavy smoke from havan, and check with her doctor if travel is involved. A modest, joyful gathering is completely enough.

Regional names: sādh, dohāḷe jevaṇ, valaikāppu, sīmantam · Source: common family practice

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