https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=SadhbhakshanSadhbhakshan - Revision history2026-10-27T17:19:51ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sadhbhakshan&diff=531699&oldid=prevSheenaBayles: starting initial info more to come - done2025-11-13T15:20:54Z<p>starting initial info more to come - done</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Traditional Pregnancy Ritual in Indian Subcontinent}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}}<br />
[[File:Baby shower ceremony according to Hindu tradition.jpg|thumb|Everyone is blessing the pregnant mother at a Sadhabhakhana ceremony.]]<br />
'''Sadh''' or '''Sadhbhakshan''' is a traditional pregnancy ritual observed by [[Bengalis]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=K. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jHQMAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Sadh+Bhakhan%22 |title=India's Communities |date=1998 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India |isbn=978-0-19-563354-2 |pages=3466 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VZ-FAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Sadh+Bhakhan%22 |title=Archives of Child Health |date=1974 |publisher=N. G. Mojumdar |pages=60 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=K. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w1dfH30nLpEC&q=%22Sadh+Bhakhan%22 |title=People Of India - Assam -Part Ii |date=2003 |publisher=Seagull Books |isbn=978-81-7046-129-6 |pages=825 |language=en}}</ref> It is performed during the eighth or ninth month of [[pregnancy]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-13 |title=সাধ খাওয়া কী? সাধ খাওয়া উৎসব কখন পালন করা হয়? এই উৎসব কিভাবে পালন করা হয়? |url=https://upokary.com/bn/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7-%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7-%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%89/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=উপকারী |language=bn-BD}}</ref> after the expectant mother completes seven months. The ceremony involves feeding the pregnant woman special foods as a gesture of wishing good health for both the mother and the unborn child.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandit |first=Sanatan |date=2022-04-07 |title=১৪৩০ সালের সাধভক্ষণের সঠিক তারিখ ও সময়সূচী |url=https://sanatanpandit.com/sadhvakhan-date-and-time/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Sanatan Pandit |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
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Sadh is a regional variation of [[Simantonnayana]], a ritual of the ancient Indian [[Samskara (rite of passage)|Samskara]]. Similar traditions exist in different parts of India, known as ''Seemantham'' in [[Kerala]], ''Valaikappu'' in [[Tamil Nadu]], ''Godh Bharai'' in [[Punjab]], Godh Bharna in [[Gujarat]] and ''Dohale Jevan'' in [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ব্যানার্জী |first=দেবশ্রী |date=2019-11-20 |title=ভারতীয় রীতিতে অনাগত শিশুর প্রতি আশীর্বাদ বর্ষণ(সাধ)অনুষ্ঠান |url=https://banglaparenting.firstcry.com/articles/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%A3-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=FirstCry Parenting |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Section for kids |url=https://eisamay.com/lifestyle/section-for-kids |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Eisamay Online |language=bn}}</ref><br />
==Meaning==<br />
{{Culture of Bengal}}<br />
According to Bengali tradition, the term "Sadh Bhakshan" or "Sadh Khawa" literally means a feast or ceremony based on the cravings of a pregnant woman.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2019-08-30 |title=গর্ভবতী মহিলাদের 'সাধ ভক্ষণ' অনুষ্ঠান করে পুষ্টির পাঠ উখরায় - Bardhaman Durgapur Asansol : A guide to Burdwan District |url=https://bardhaman.com/icds-wokers-organise-sadh-bhakshan-program/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> This event includes a variety of delicious foods, and the expectant mother is also showered with gifts as a symbolic gesture of filling her lap with blessings and joy.<ref name=":0" /><br />
==Importance==<br />
During [[pregnancy]], issues like [[nutritional deficiencies]] in the mother and low birth weight of the baby are common concerns. Additionally, as the baby's weight increases, the mother's body undergoes various physical changes, which, along with a lack of proper care, can sometimes lead to [[mental distress]]. To support the expectant mother, the Sadh Bhakshan ceremony includes offering her a variety of nutritious foods, blessings, and gifts such as a new [[Sari]] or items of her choice. This not only ensures her physical well-being but also helps maintain her [[mental health]] and [[happiness]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Samskara (rite of passage)]]<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Culture of Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Culture of Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:Human pregnancy in culture]]<br />
[[Category:Culture of Bangladesh]]<br />
[[Category:Rites of passage]]<br />
[[Category:Culture of India by community]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu rituals]]<br />
[[Category:Women in India]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu traditions]]<br />
[[Category:Maternal health]]<br />
[[Category:Women's health]]</div>SheenaBayles