<P> According to Professor Philip Lutgendorf of the University of Iowa (Modern Indian Studies), the Santoshi Maa vrata was gaining popularity among women in North India in the 1960s, a decade before the release of Jai Santoshi Maa . He further notes that the fact that Santoshi Mata expected the inexpensive raw sugar and roasted chickpeas--associated with the "non-elite"--as offerings in her vrata and her benevolent nature made her popular with the masses . However, Das considers the film was instrumental in spreading the Santoshi Mata worship to the illiterate, who until then could not have known the written vrata katha (legend related to the vrata). </P> <P> Even though the script of Jai Santoshi Maa has no scriptural basis, scholars Anita Raina Thapan and Lawrence Cohen cite Santoshi Mata's cult as evidence of Ganesha's continuing evolution as a popular deity . </P> <P> The Santoshi Mata vrata or devotional fast is to be observed on 16 successive Fridays or until one's wish is fulfilled . The devotee should perform a puja (worship) of Santoshi Mata and offer her flowers, incense and a bowl of raw sugar and roasted chickpeas (gur - chana). The devotee wakes up at early morning, remembering the Goddess . Only one meal is taken during the fast day, and devotees avoid eating bitter or sour food and serving these to others, as sour or bitter food is somewhat addictive and hinders satisfaction . When the wish is granted, a devotee must then organise a udyapan ("bringing to conclusion") ceremony, where eight boys are to be served as a festive meal . </P> <P> In this type of worship, the devotee has to follow other strictures such as avoiding quarrels and hurting anyone . By means of this vrata one can live with harmony because the bad habits in human life like to ignore faith and to say false, to behave arogantly can be removed . This vrata teaches the devotee to spread love, sympathy and happiness . </P>

What not to eat in santoshi mata vrat