Question

What is the significance of fish in Bengal?

Answer 1

Hint: Fish is an aquatic animal which has got a lot of significance in the lives of Bengali people. Bengali peoples not only use fishes in their food but they also worship them. Fish for them are the good luck to start something good in life.

Complete answer:
 In Bengal, a lot of rice and fish grows each year. They are the important food for Bengali people. The major livelihood of the people of Bengal is fishing. Fishes are so common in their culture that their every meal consists of fish and rice.
Following are the some important festivals where fish is considered as necessary:

1) Aiburobhat: This is a wedding tradition that happens a day before the actual wedding takes place. 'Aiburo' which stands for the unmarried couple who is soon going to be married and 'Bhat' means the rice. In this family, pampers their child with a grand feast which is also known as their last feast as bachelors. Fish must include food in this ceremony.

2) Tattva: This is the part of the haldi ceremony in which the groom's family along with the bride's lehenga take a large Ruhu fish with them wrapped in a saree and decorated with the sindoor, necklaces and all other beauty cosmetics like a bride. According to their rituals, fish is considered as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and happiness.

3) Welcome a Bride: When a bride enters in-laws house, she is gifted with the fish in order to wish her a successful married life.

Note: Hilsa fish is considered as the state fish of West Bengal. In the state of Bengal approx 5-6 lakhs people are directly involved in the business of fishing. The fish curry prepared in Bengali style is the most famous and delicious dish that is cooked there.