Introduction: Cheti Chand
Cheti Chand is an auspicious festival celebrated by the Sindhi community , which falls on the first day of the Sindhi month of Chet (Chaitra). The festival Marks the birth anniversary of Jhulelal, the patron saint or , ” Ishta Devta” of Sindhis. This festival usually falls on March or April in the Gregorian calendar and is considered as the new year of Sindhis which symbolises prosperity and triumph of Good over evil. Cheti Chand will be celebrated on April 10th this year.
Origin and Legend:
The origins of Cheti Chand are deeply rooted in the legend of Jhulelal also called as Lal Sai or Udherolal. Jhulelal was born on the day of Cheti Chand in the samvat year 1007 (according to the Hindu calendar). He was born to Mata Devaki and Ratanchand in Nasarpur , present day city in Pakistan. Since childhood, Uderolal exhibited supernatural powers , spiritual wisdom and compassion earning respect from the people.
The Legend says that Jhulelal was the incarnation of lord Varun, the Hindu god of water,who was born to protect the Sindhi community from the tyrannical king called Mirakkshah. Mirakkshah forced Sindhis to convert to Islam or face death. The people now turned to river Sindhu for help. After 40 days of praying, fasting and rituals, a divine voice told the worshippers that very soon the incarnation of God Varun would be born as Uderolal in Nasarpur, who would help them get rid of all their worries and sorrows.
Rituals and Celebrations:
Cheti Chand is celebrated with great love, Zeal and enthusiasm by the sindhis all over the world. The festival begins with worshipping the god Jhulelal ,where devotees offer prayers , flowers and sweets and Prasad to the temples dedicated to jhulelal .Special Bhajans ( devotional songs) and arti ( rituals of worship) are performed along with rhythmic beats of dhols ( drums) and the melodious tunes of flutes.
One of the most important rituals is carrying a” Behrana Sahib ” to the temple.
The Behrana Sahib is nicely decorated thaal, where an earthen pot full of water covered with red cloth is placed. Wheat flour is kneaded to the shape of the cone decorated with vermillion, cardamom and cloves and placed on the thaal..,on top a large piece of refined sugar ( Misri Jo Sangh) is placed. This cone is surrounded by fresh flowers, fruits , agarbatti, dhoop and diyas. This Behrana Sahib is taken to the temple, the contents of the thaal are immersed in water as an offering to the god .Tahiri ( sweet rice ),the Prasad which is made up of rice ,jaggery and dry fruits is distributed among all devotees.Along with the rituals performed in the temples, processions are taken out in the streets where they carry the idol of jhulelal and other Hindu gods , which are decorated and placed on chariots. Devotees gather in large numbers to participate in this procession ,singing ,dancing, distributing Prasad, wearing traditional dresses,which symbolises the arrival of Jhulelal to bless his devotees and protect them from any harm and this whole atmosphere turns to a divine experience.
Symolism and Significance:
Cheti Chand exhibits many symbolic themes that holds deep importance for the Sindhi community. The festival represent the triumph of Good over the Evil, righteousness over oppression as depicted by the legend of the jhulelal ‘s intervention to protect his devotees from tyranny. It also marks the spirit of unity and resilience , as all the sindhis come together to celebrate cultural heritage and religious traditions with great pomp.Cheti Chand also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year for Sindhis, signifying a time of renewal, prosperity and spiritual growth. The festival brings oneness and a reminder to embrace our own culture and heritage and uphold the moral values which strives for peace and harmony in the society.
Global Observance:
Cheti Chand is celebrated with equal enthusiasm and zeal by all the Sindhis across the globe. From India to Pakistan, and from United States to United Kingdom ,Sindhis come out together to celebrate this auspicious occasion with rituals, prayers , music, dance and feasting.
Cheti Chand serves as a unifying force that surpass the geographical boundaries and brings all Sindhi descent together fostering a sense of kinship and Cultural pride.
Source – Astrotalk
Conclusion
Cheti Chand is not purely a religious festival, it is a celebration of faith, resilience and community spirit. It honours the legacy of Jhulelal,the patron saint of Sindhis, whose teachings of equality, compassion, tolerance , morality and virtousness continue to inspire generations. As Sindhis unite to celebrate Cheti Chand,they reaffirm their cultural identity , strengthen familial bonds and invoke blessings for prosperous and harmonious new year . Basically, Cheti Chand is a testament to the enduring values , customs and traditions that unite the whole Sindhi community in a joyous celebration. You can also read Holi 2024: Exploring Holi a Colorful Journey Across India