Pyaar & Prema

Planning an Indian baby shower

2 min read Updated October 14, 2026

A hand reaching towards an expectant mother in a pink saree

Many Indian families mark pregnancy with a ceremony of blessings for the mother and baby: the Seemantham, Godh Bharai, Valaikappu, Shaadh and others. Rituals and timing differ by community and family, so ask your elders, but the planning is much the same.

The ceremonies, briefly

  • Seemantham (Telugu, Kannada and Tamil families): a ceremony of blessings, often with a pooja, held in the later months of pregnancy.
  • Valaikappu (Tamil families): elders slip glass bangles onto the mother’s wrists for protection and good luck.
  • Godh Bharai (North Indian families): “filling the lap” of the mother with fruit, sweets and gifts.
  • Shaadh (Bengali families): the mother is treated to her favourite foods and new clothes.

Planning checklist

  • Pick a date with family, and with your priest if there is a pooja.
  • Decide between home, a temple hall or a venue, based on guest numbers.
  • Book food: often a vegetarian lunch, sometimes with the mother’s favourite dishes.
  • Arrange the ritual items, bangles, flowers and return gifts for guests.
  • Send invitations three to four weeks ahead, with a link for RSVPs.

Invitation wording

Seemantham

Dear [Uncle & Aunty], With the blessings of the elders, we invite you to the Seemantham of [Priya] on [date] at [time], [venue], followed by lunch. Details and RSVP: [link] With love, [The Rao family]

10:24 AM ✓✓

Godh Bharai

Dear [Meera Aunty], Please join us to celebrate and bless [Priya] and the little one at her Godh Bharai on [date] at [time], [venue]. Kindly RSVP by [date]: [link] [The Sharma family]

10:24 AM ✓✓

Invitations and RSVPs in one place

The same tools couples use for weddings work for a baby shower: a one-page event website with the date, venue and timeline, invitations on WhatsApp with greetings like “Dear Uncle & Aunty”, and RSVPs that come back into one list. The Simple plan covers one event with up to 150 guests.

Frequently asked questions

Usually in the later months of pregnancy, often around the seventh month, but families follow their own customs and auspicious dates.

Traditionally women of the family and close friends, though many families now invite everyone, including partners and children.

Blessings, and often gifts for the mother or baby, fruit, sweets or bangles, depending on the ceremony.

Yes. Send a short message with a link where guests can see the details and RSVP.

Tools for this

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