Cheti Chand: All You Need to Know About Sindhi New Year

By: Shruti Sanwariya [{ "selector": ".kdugu-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".rjoso-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Introduction

Cheti Chand, or Jhulelal Jayanti, celebrated by Sindhi Hindus, signifies spring's arrival and harvest season. It is believed to be the birthday of Jhulelal, the patron saint of Sindhis. [{ "selector": ".zjdfu-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".btnnz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".kccdc-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Significance

During Cheti Chand, Sindhis pray to the water deity to prevent forced conversions, offering prayers near rivers, lakes, and ponds, as a symbol of reverence and gratitude. [{ "selector": ".brnzj-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".qqkrl-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".oldms-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Rituals

Cheti Chand customs consist of a forty-day prayer phase called Chaliho, followed by festivities. Fasts are observed and rituals like taking Behrana Sahib offerings to water bodies and lighting diya made of wheat flour. [{ "selector": ".ffpcr-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".cagfk-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ecbwe-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Legend

According to legend, the river God prophesied the birth of Saint Jhulelal in Nasarpur, who saved the Sindhi community from tyranny. [{ "selector": ".fawcx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".witgx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".bfbxa-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Celebration

Cheti Chand marks the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, or Jhulelal, born in 1007. Legend has it that the Sindhis prayed for protection, resulting in Jhulelal's birth. [{ "selector": ".zsnqo-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".lwouw-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".jsgsk-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Traditions

Cheti Chand celebrations unite Sindhi communities through cultural events, music, and communal feasting, fostering joy, gratitude, and hope. [{ "selector": ".wwzzw-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".qmqni-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".xtjnn-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }]