Cheti Chand Festival in India

Cheti Chand is one of the most essential festivals of the Sindhi community and is commemorated in cachet of the birth of Sindhi Philanthropist Saint Jhulelal. This festival is celebrated as the Sindhi New year and it falls on the second day of brighter lunar fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in Chaitra month. On this eve, people pray for prosperity and riches to the mighty Lord Varun (Deity of Water). As Jhulelal is considered to be an incarnation of the Deity of Water. Cheti Chand not only holds religious importance, but it also equally boasts the traditional values & beliefs of the Sindhu community as well.

Cheti Chand Pooja Vidhi

A huge procession is carried out to toast the quintessence of Cheti Chand. On this occasion people unite and ignite pretty lamps and diyas as they paint the town red. Lets see the process of celebrating Cheti Chand.

• Cheti Chand gets going right from the morning by visiting temples and by getting the blessings of the elderly.
• Sindhis take Baharana Sahib to a nearby river or lake. Baharana Sahib comprises of Jyot (Oil Lamp), Misri (Crystal Sugar), Fal (Fruits), ilaichi (Cardamom), Akha and behind is the Kalash (Water jar), a Nariyal (Coconut) in it, covered with phool (flowers), cloth and patta (leaves). People perform the traditional pooja using all the necessary ingredients mentioned above followed by visarjan. The motive of this tradition is to offer your regard towards the almighty for their blessings and to get food for marine living things.
• It also consists of a Murti (Idol or the sculpture) of worthy Jhulelal Devta. Sindhis hail each other with Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun on Cheti Chand.
• Devotees worship the Lord of Water- Varun and also observe Chaliho Sahab which is almost a forty day ritual performed on the banks of the river Sindhu. On this special day, Sindhis proffer prayers to River God to safeguard themselves from the evils this world presents and let them prevail in peace.
• As per the Sindhi tradition, it is auspicious that the newborns are tonsure (Mundan) on this holy day.

Significance of Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand falls on the same day or next day of 'Gudi Padwa' and 'Ugadi' festival. Cheti Chand is observed mostly on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month according to traditional Hindu lunar calendar when the moon is visible. The day has importance as it is believed that Varun Dev appeared as Uderolal to save Sindhi community from the dictatorship of a ruler who wanted to destroy the Sindhi culture and Hinduism. It is also a day of worshiping and thanking the God of water.

Rituals and Celebrations

The followers of Jhulelal perform the prayer for forty days ("Chaliho") and celebrate "Thanksgiving Day" after "Chaliho." Devotees observe fast, and after offering prayers, they break their fast with coconut milk, sugar, molasses, and fruits. Many Sindhi take Baharana Sahib to a nearby river or lake. A procession is taken out to the river front or sea shore. Baharana Sahib consists of Oil Lamp, Crystal Sugar, Cardamom, Fruits, and Akha along with Water jar and a Coconut in it. The plate is covered with cloth, flowers, and leaves. They also carry an idol of God Jhulelal.

A wheat flour lamp with five wicks is lit on a bronze plate which is filled with rice grains, pure ghee, and vermilion; called Jyoti Jagan is performed. After Bahrano Saheb is immersed in the water along with rice and sugar Prasad called "Akho", it is customary to sing Lal Sain's Panjras and Pallav to seek his blessings. Sindhi greets each other saying "Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav" on Cheti Chand.

Legend Behind Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand is considered to be the first day of the new year as per the Sindhu's as it marks the new beginnings and all the things that are yet to take shape. On Vikram Samvat 1007, 951 AD, in the Sindh province of Narsapur Nagar, Lord Jhulelal, the Ishta Dev of Sindhis, was born to Rattan Rao Luhana and his wife Devaki. He is also known by the names Lal Sai, Uderolal, Varun Dev and Zinda Pir. Lord Jhulelal did many deeds that defined his character and portrayed him as the the true protector of religion. He really pushed for unity between the Hindus and Muslims as well as emphasised on the philosophy of God. He said that there is only one God and that we should all live in peace and harmony. This is the reason why Lord Jhulelal is worshipped so religiously by both the Hindus and Muslims.

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