A Friday night experience

On Friday night I was invited to a 'baby blessing'. This is the Indian version of a baby shower for the Mother to be.

EXCEPT it is much more civilized. A lovely blessing and no silly games.

I was invited to participate in the blessing and just followed instructions.

Items for the blessing

The Mother to be wore the rose petal lei. Each lady dips 2 fingers first in the tumeric, and makes a mark down the back of each hand, then on each cheek, then into the paprika and makes a mark on the middle of the forehead. Then one glass bangle is placed on each arm. Each lady does this in turn.

Grandmother to be is the first to do a blessing

 When everyone has had a turn the Grandmother to be does a blessing on each pregnant woman, we have 2 more at Dahrl Court, then those who want to become pregnant have a blessing. There was lots of laughing and giggling amongst those who do not want to fall pregnant.

Offerings to Gods

For participating we were all given 2 glass bracelets and a rose.

Of course my hands are too big for such delicate bracelets

We were then treated to the usual Indian feast (vegetarian) and as usual I had 2 serves - we are spoilt here for good Indian food. It just doesn't taste the same when we eat Indian out.

Hindu God gift 

This little twin pack is especially for Hindu festivals. It was part of the 'gift' all of the women received at the end of the dinner. It was in an Ikea tupperware type container along with 2 ferrero rocher chocolates. I have no idea of the significance of the last 2 items.

The mother to be wears the bracelets until the baby is born. The idea is that the baby can hear the gentle jangle of the bracelets in the womb and is soothed. Eastern version of playing Mozart - and hoping your child will develop a taste for good music.

About 20 on each arm

It is usually hard to photograph the children at events here as they are so hyped on cake they don't stay still. There was no cake so I had the chance to get a couple of shots. I did hear one treasure ask her mother very loudly where the cup cakes were.

Not so sure about the blue crocs