Tips for an exciting baby shower India

An essential part of the baby shower ceremony is the godh bharai games during which playful teasing is a must. The games include guessing the baby’s gender for fun and making a list of the names for the future baby. Ladies indulge in a fair deal of dancing and singing of special traditional songs made for this ceremony. They may enact skits to tease the mother-to-be and her husband or present the future before them when the little baby enters their life. The festivities last for hours and are culminated by a feast for all the relatives and friends.

Tips for an exciting baby shower India:

• Godh bharai is a time to enjoy the support and love of all the close friends and relatives. Make sure you take help from the elders in the family as well as your loved ones to make this ceremony a joyous event for all and also save yourself from unnecessary hectic schedules.

• Take proper rest before the ceremony to enjoy these few special hours with ease. Dress yourself like a bride in a special saree, lehenga or salwar kameez but ensure that you are comfortable. Avoid very heavy clothing or jewellery that is suffocating.

• Since the mother is showered with so many gifts, it may be a great idea to present small tokens of appreciation to all the women participating in the ceremony. Such godh bharai gift ideas include bangles, bindis, dupattas, perfumes or cosmetics. One may arrange for artists who apply henna to palms of all the ladies attending the ceremony. Read More...

The Indian baby shower ceremony Godh Bharai

God Bharai is a special celebration that takes place to endow blessings upon the Hindu pregnant woman. This is the Indian version of a baby shower, a ceremony to welcome the unborn child into the family and give the mother abundant blessings and gifts for the two of them symbolizing happiness in the future of the couple. The Indian baby shower ceremony is known as Godh Bharai in North india and by several other names in different parts of the country, like Seemandham in Kerela while being known as Shaad in West Bengal. The gujarati Godh Bharai ceremony is known as Srimanth where all the sisters-in-law have a important role. The name and godh bharai rituals may vary from community to community, but the basic idea is to bless the child and the family with blessings in abundance.

When does baby shower in India take place?

The meaning of baby shower or Godh Bharai a special ceremony held in North India to welcome the baby soon to be born in the family. This ceremony takes place when the woman completes her 7th month of pregnancy. The literal meaning of the term “God Bharai” is to fill the lap, as the woman’s lap is filled with fruits and gifts for the baby and the mother as a part of the Godh bharai rasam (ritual).

How does the godh bharai ceremony take place?

The couple is very excited about this ceremony and makes endless preparations. At the end of the seventh month, the baby is considered to be at a safe stage and hence this ceremony marks the beginning of celebrations owing to the joy of a new baby in the family. The Hindu baby shower ceremony takes place traditionally in the presence of only women, and involves several sacred rituals, games, music and dances.

First of all, the mother-to-be is dresses in a special saree and anointed by herbal oils that are considered holy by female elders of the family. Thereafter, a puja is conducted before the festivities begin. The pregnant lady is made to wear jewels like bangles especially made for this occasion and her lap is filled with godh bharai gifts like jewels, fruits, sweets, clothes and cash for the mother. In a majority of homes, the gifts are meant only for the mother while the gifts for the baby are given only after the birth. Read More...