Brother-in-Law’s Day (Jamai Shasthi) in West Bengal, India - Significance & how celebrated

 

In West Bengal, the concept of celebrating a brother-in-law (bāẏnā or bhāi śaśur) is deeply tied to the rich cultural traditions of family relationships. While Western cultures may have a “Brother-in-Law’s Day” informally marked to appreciate a brother-in-law, Bengal’s traditional celebration known as Jamai Shasthi serves a similar — though broader — purpose, focusing primarily on the son-in-law (jamai) but also often including the brother-in-law in festive family settings.

Let’s break this down carefully:

✅ Jamai Shasthi — traditionally for the son-in-law
Jamai Shasthi is an age-old Bengali festival where the son-in-law is honored, pampered, and blessed by his in-laws, especially the mother-in-law. It is observed on the sixth day after the new moon (Shasthi) in the Bengali month of Jyaishtha (May–June).

✅ Extension to the brother-in-law relationship
While formally the festival centers on the jamai (son-in-law), Bengali family culture often extends warmth, hospitality, and festive spirit to the sister’s husband (brother-in-law) during family functions, recognizing his role as part of the extended family. So even though there is no official “Brother-in-Law’s Day,” the playful, respectful, and affectionate dynamics with a brother-in-law are often highlighted during festivals like Jamai Shasthi and other social gatherings.

✅ Cultural value of in-law relationships
In Bengali society, the brother-in-law (bāẏnā — sister’s husband, or bhāi śaśur — wife’s brother) is seen as both a friend and a relative. He is involved in family discussions, celebrations, and rituals, and is often treated with light teasing, humor, and affection — which helps build and reinforce strong kinship ties.

✅ Religious and familial importance
Jamai Shasthi has religious roots, where the Shasthi Devi (goddess of children and fertility) is worshipped for the well-being of the family and future generations. By pampering the son-in-law (and by extension, sometimes the brother-in-law when present), the family symbolically prays for prosperity, harmony, and continuity.

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🎉 How Jamai Shasthi (Brother-in-Law’s Day Spirit) Is Celebrated in West Bengal

Even though the official rituals focus on the son-in-law, the broader spirit of Bengali family celebrations — especially when the brother-in-law is involved — can be seen through these cultural practices:

🍽 Lavish feast (Jamai Bhog)
On Jamai Shasthi, the mother-in-law prepares (or arranges) an elaborate meal for the son-in-law. The spread typically includes rice, fish (ilish or rui), prawns, mutton, fried items (bhaja), shukto, curries, chutney, papad, and an array of Bengali sweets like rosogolla, mishti doi, sandesh. If a brother-in-law is visiting, he often enjoys the same pampering, sharing in the family warmth.

🎁 Gifts and new clothes
The son-in-law traditionally receives new clothes, such as a kurta, dhoti, or Western wear, along with small gifts, sweets, or even cash. When the brother-in-law is part of the celebrations, he too may receive tokens of affection or symbolic gifts, recognizing his place in the family.

🙏 Rituals and blessings
The mother-in-law performs rituals — tying a sacred thread on the son-in-law’s wrist, marking his forehead, and praying for his good health and fortune. Although these rituals are son-in-law-specific, the brother-in-law may be symbolically included in the blessings during family gatherings.

🎊 Family bonding, teasing, and laughter
A big part of Bengali family culture involves good-natured teasing and humor between brothers-in-law and other family members. During Jamai Shasthi or similar occasions, these interactions become a central part of the celebration, deepening bonds and adding joy to the gathering.

📷 Photos and social sharing
Modern families sometimes share photos from the day on social media, celebrating the son-in-law and, in some cases, including the brother-in-law — showing off the happy, vibrant family environment.

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🌼 Final Thoughts

While there is no separate “Brother-in-Law’s Day” formally celebrated in West Bengal, the spirit of honoring and celebrating the brother-in-law is strongly felt during family-centered festivals like Jamai Shasthi. In Bengali families, both the son-in-law and the brother-in-law are seen as key family members who are appreciated, pampered, and made to feel special during such occasions.

The day serves not only as a cultural ritual but also as an important moment of family connection, tradition, and joy, ensuring that the relationships that tie families together are nurtured and cherished across generations.