Making Virtuous Daughters and Wives: An Introduction to Women's Brata Rituals in Bengali Folk Religion

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Making Virtuous Daughters and Wives Making Virtuous Daughters and Wives An Introduction to Women’s Brata Rituals in Bengali Folk Religion June McDaniel STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS Cover photo: “Singing to the goddess Tushu,” by James Denosky. Courtesy of James Denosky. Published by State University of New York Press, Albany© 2003 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207 Production by Dana Foote Marketing by Jennifer Giovani Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data McDaniel, June. Making virtuous daughters and wives : an introduction to women’s Brata rituals in Bengali folk religion / June McDaniel. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–7914–5565–3 (alk. paper)—ISBN 0–7914–5566–1 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Vratas. 2. Hinduism—Rituals. 3. Bengali (South Asian people)— Folklore. 4. Folklore—India—West Bengal. 5. Hindu women—India—West Bengal—Religious life. 6. West Bengal (India)—Religious life and customs. BL1237.78 .M32 2003 294.5′38—dc21 2002030542 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ...