Jamai Shashti 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Mothers: Mothers observe Shashthi Puja and a fast for the health, protection, and long life of their children.
• Mothers-in-Law: The mother of a married daughter welcomes her son-in-law (Jamai) with a special meal and gifts, to bless him and honour the daughter's family.
• Sons-in-Law and Daughters: Married daughters and their husbands visit the parents' home, seeking blessings for a happy and lasting married life.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Puja: Mothers bathe early and perform the Shashthi Puja in the morning, after Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hours). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Welcoming the Son-in-Law: In the late morning and afternoon, when the son-in-law arrives and is welcomed with blessings.
• Feast and Gifts: The festive meal is served at midday or in the afternoon, after the puja is complete.

About the Festival

Jamai Shashti, also called Aranya Shashthi, is a much-loved Bengali festival that honours the bond between a mother-in-law and her son-in-law, along with the worship of Goddess Shashthi, protector of children. It takes place on the Shashthi (sixth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha.

The Katha (Story of Shashthi Devi)

Once upon a time, in a village of Bengal, there lived a rich household with a young daughter-in-law who was fond of eating. One day, while the family was away, she secretly ate the milk and fish kept for the household and, when questioned, blamed the household cat.

Soon afterward, the woman's children began to fall ill and were lost one by one. Overcome with sorrow and guilt, she wandered into the forest, where she met an old woman. The old woman, who was Goddess Shashthi in disguise, asked her for the cause of her grief, and the woman confessed her fault with tears.

The Goddess, moved by her honest repentance, said: "Worship Shashthi Devi with a pure heart on Jyeshtha Shukla Shashthi. Offer fruit and sweets, never lie again, and respect your elders and your guests." The woman did exactly as she was told.

Pleased with her sincere devotion, the Goddess blessed her, and her children were restored to her, healthy and happy. Since that day, mothers have worshipped Shashthi Devi for their children, and families honour the Jamai on this day.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Symbol: Picture of Goddess Shashthi, or a symbolic Shashthi stone or a branch of a tree (Aranya Shashthi)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Sandalwood paste, Sindoor, Haldi, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and incense sticks
• Hand Fan & Thread: A palm-leaf hand fan (Talpatar Pakha) and a Kalava (sacred thread)
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Seasonal fruits such as mango and jackfruit, curd, sweets, and Bengali dishes with fish
• Gifts for the Son-in-Law: New clothes (Dhuti or Kurta), sweets, and a seat (Asan)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Shashthi, today I worship you for the health, long life, and wellbeing of my children and family. Bless my home with happiness."
3. Mothers traditionally observe a simple fast until the Shashthi Puja is complete.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean the northeastern corner of your home or the place where the puja is to be done.
2. Place the symbol or picture of Goddess Shashthi on a Chowki covered with a clean cloth.
3. Set the fruits, Kalava, and hand fan near the Goddess.

Step 3: Performing the Shashthi Puja

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of Goddess Shashthi.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Sindoor, Haldi, and Akshat to the Goddess.
3. Offering Flowers & Fruits: Offer fresh flowers and seasonal fruits such as mango and jackfruit.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place curd and sweets before the Goddess in small portions.

Step 4: Reciting the Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Shashthi Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, sprinkle the held grains at the Goddess's feet.

Step 5: Welcoming the Son-in-Law

1. Seat the son-in-law on a clean Asan with respect.
2. Apply a tilak of sandalwood and curd to his forehead, and tie a Kalava on his wrist.
3. Touch him with the hand fan (Pakha) and bless him with the traditional Ashirvad, along with a prayer for his long and happy married life.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing the Feast

1. Offer the gifts of new clothes and sweets to the son-in-law with love, and take the blessings of the elders (Charan Sparsh).
2. Serve the festive meal, including fish, sweets, and fruits, to the son-in-law and the whole family.
3. Mothers break their fast with the prasad of Goddess Shashthi and a simple meal.