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A baby shower, or Godh Bharai as we call in India, is a special occasion for any pregnant women when all the members of the family come together to bless the to-be mother and her soon-to- arrive baby. It is celebrated across India and is known as Shaad in Bengal, Seemandham in Kerela and Valakappu in Tamil Nadu.
Different communities and families have their own reasoning for a perfect time for Godh Bharai. The ceremony is traditionally held when the mother-to- be completes her seventh month of pregnancy. They – the baby and the mother – are believed to be in a “safe phase” then.
There are also those moms who borrow the idea of a baby shower from the west and get together with their friends to celebrate their baby! Even Harbhajan Singh's wife Geeta Basra had a white-themed baby shower last week.
Geeta Basra's white-themed baby shower
How is Godh Bharai(Baby shower) done
Godh Bharai ritual is different in different parts of the country. However, they focus on one aspect – celebrating motherhood and blessing the yet-to- be-born baby. This is how it is mostly celebrated:
- In some homes, the mum-to- be is anointed with special oils by the elderly women in the family.
- She is then dressed up in a special saree and adorned with flowers or garlands.
- A puja is performed before the festivities begin.
- In the case of a baby shower inspired from the west, the friends or the mother-to- be organizes a get together with a baby theme and gifts are given for the baby and her!
Whatever way you celebrate it, there are ways that you can make it an affair to remember. Here are some tips that might be useful.
- Rest: Firstly, the mom-to- be should be well-rested for the hectic, yet fun, day that lies ahead.
- Location: This needn’t be indoors! You can have a swanky or casual baby shower near a pool, in the park, or even on the terrace.
- Dressing: Make sure the dress-code is set with the weather and the location in mind. If it’s a traditional ceremony, a saree or a comfortable lehenga would be best suited. For an informal baby shower with friends, you could pick a great evening gown or dress.
- Décor: Take a trip down memory lane with the mom-to- be’s own childhood photographs and possessions. Guests could add to this by leaving letters for the baby or sweet notes for the mom.Continue reading on the next page to know about more such tips!
- Food: Godh Bharai calls for a decadent feast, complete with sweets and deep-fried savouries. However, a lot of moms-to- be are very health-conscious today – which shouldn’t stop them from having a good time. A‘diet’ theme where baked or steamed goods are complemented by fruits,vegetables, and juices can be a great idea, not just for the mom but for the guests. Turning it into a potluck could also bring out the spirit of togetherness.
- Entertainment: From music, dance to mehendi artists, think of a few entertaining past-times for everyone.
- Gifts: The mum-to- be definitely gets gifts. But gifts aren’t just for the mom! Just like in birthday parties, give the guests a souvenir or token of appreciation. This could be in the form of scarves, books, scented candles, and so on.
- Games: It may be something simple like guessing the gender of the baby just by looking at mum's belly or creating a name-list for your baby. Adding fun themes to the event, like having everyone dress up like they’re pregnant too (stuffing pillows on their bellies), will be fun and help the mother not feel out of place!
Also Read: How would you choose to have your Godh Bharai ceremony?
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