Ghod Bharhai Puja

KNOW GHOD BHARHAI PUJA

Godh Bharai (Baby Shower) is a ceremony performed when the child is in the mother’s womb in the eighth month. It ensures the welfare and protection of the child and mother during delivery.

IMPORTANCE OF GHOD BHARHAI PUJA

Baby shower, traditionally the festival is celebrated for the couple’s first unborn child. In the festival women are invited as they could share their knowledge related to the unborn baby or pregnancy. The rules related to the time of its celebration are different to culture, time and place. It may include a full meal, drinks and Baby centered games. Even some games to determine baby’s birth and sex are arranged for fun and surety. The festival starts with hearty welcome to the unborn baby. Relatives especially women bless the future mother with abundant joys of motherhood. It is celebrated with great festivity, excitement and enjoyment. Like most of the Indian festivals the ceremony begins with worshipping of Lord Ganesha. Traditional or holy songs make the atmosphere festive and auspicious. Traditionally the prospective mother seat on the bajath( a four-legged, small and low height seat). Guru Brahman put a dot with holy kumkum on her forehead as a sign of good luck. She spreads her palav or khoro and women invitees fill it with gifts and jewels. They also present fruits, nuts, and grains that should be eaten during the period.

DESCRIPTION

Godh Bharai or baby shower is performed to an “expecting mother” to make her understand the importance of pregnancy stages. Godh Bharai means to ‘fill the lap’ as in this function, the expecting mother is presented with gifts, cash, etc. This function also blesses the expecting mother and her unborn child and safeguards them from negative energy and ensures the proper birth and health of both, the child and mother.