Shashthi

Shashthi is the goddess of children and protection in childbirth, immensely popular in Bengali homes. The sixth lunar day is hers, and in folk tales such as 'Shashthi'r Golpo' she is the guardian of children; within the Nabapatrika the banana plant (Kalabou) is regarded as a form of Shashthi. On Jamai Shashthi in Vaishakha and other shashthi festivals her puja is held for the well-being of newborn children. As the deity presiding over the protection of children from fever and sudden illness, she is the goddess of mothers' prayers.