Cheti Chand: Rituals and Celebrations

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Cheti Chand: Rituals and Celebrations

Just like Ugadi is the New Year in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and

Gudi Padwa is the New Year Day in Maharashtra, Cheti Chand, which

falls on the same day, is the Sindhi New Year Day. According to the

Hindu calendar, Cheti Chand is celebrated on the first day of the

Chaitra month known as Chet in Sindhi. Hence it is known as CHET-I-

CHAND

 

The Sindhi community celebrates the festival of Cheti Chand in

honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as

Jhulelal, the Patron Saint of the Sindhis. This day is considered to

be very auspicious and is celebrated with pompous and gaiety. On

this day, people worship water – the elixir of life.

 

Followers of Jhulelal observe Chaliho Sahab. It suggests that for

forty long days and nights they underwent rituals and vigil on the

bank of Sindhu. They did not shave, nor did they wear new clothes or

shoes. They did not use soap or oil or any opulent thing. They just

washed their clothes, dried them and wore them again. In the evening,

they worshipped God Varun, sang songs in his praise and prayed for

their solace and salvation. After 40 days of Chaaliho, the followers

of Jhulelal celebrate the occasion with festivity as 'Thanks Giving

Day' even till today.

 

A lamp is lit on a bronze plate, and this ritual is called Jyot

Jagan. One lamp, akshaoil and vermillion are kept on this plate .

 

A procession is taken out to the river front or sea shore. Lakhs of

people participate in the long processions taken out in different

cities, with colourful floats, depicting the life of the Saint and

other aspects of Sindhi culture. The Sindhi folk dance called "Chhej"

is performed with the procession. People go to a river or a lake and

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

Palav to seek his grace.

 

New ventures are started on this day. After the worship of

Jhulelal, the Sindhi community display and present their rich culture

through dance, drama, music and folk arts.