CHETI CHAND 2017

According to the Hindu Calendar, Cheti Chand is usually witnessed on the second day of the Shukla Paksha in the Sindhi Chet month or the Chaitra month. Cheti Chand 2017 is falling on 29th March. For the Sindhi Community, the festival exemplifies the beginning of a new year. Being one of the most renowned festivals of Sindhis, Cheti Chand is commemorated during the waxing phase of moon in the Chet month. Lord Jhulelal and Bahrano are worshiped and reverenced in the festival of Cheti Chand. It is also believed that this day epitomizes the worship and veneration of Varuna Deva, God of Water. The day of Cheti Chand is celebrated as the birthdate of Sai Uderolal or Jhulelal, as on this very day the God of Water, Varuna Deva incarnated as Jhulelal in order to protect the Sindhis. Hence, this festival is also known as ‘Jhulelal Jayanti’. The significance of Cheti Chand is that the water is worshiped on this day.

PUJA VIDHI

In order to celebrate the essence of the festival, the devotees of Jhulelal proffer prayers for a span of forty days also known as ‘Chaliho’ and thereafter, celebrate the Thanksgiving Day. The Puja Vidhi for this festival is as follows:-

• The devotees observe fast and after proffering prayers to Jhulelal, they break their fast by having fruits, coconut milk, molasses, and sugar.
• A procession is carried out to the sea shore as, most of the Sindhis take Baharana Sahib to a nearby river or lake.
• The main elements of Baharana Sahib comprises of an oil lamp, cardamom, crystal sugar, and Akha along with a water jar, which consists of a coconut on it.
• Furthermore, the puja plate is covered with a cloth, flowers, leaves, and the devotees also carry an idol of Jhulelal.
• Then,the Jyoti Jagan is performed in which a lamp, made up of wheat flour with five wicks, is lit on a bronze plate, which should also consists of rice, vermilion, and the clarified butter.
• Sindhis sing the customary song of Lal Sain’s Panjras and Pallav, in order to seek the blessings of Jhulelal, after immersing Bahrano Saheb in the water.
• At the end, Sindhis greet each other by saying ‘Cheti Chand Jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav’.

Legend

If we ponder over the legends of Cheti Chand, then it can be envisaged that in the 10th century, Sindh was being ruled by the Sumras. Moreover, Mirk Shah, a tyrant was forbidding the Sindhi Hindus to either accept Islam or death. On witnessing such despotism from him, Sindhis started to pray to Varuna Deva, the God of Water.

Sindhis became determined to starve unto death, and refused to comply to the orders of the tyrant. They proffered prayers and sang sacred songs in order to please the god of water for mercy. In return, their prayers were answered in 40 days. The god of water assured them, that a divine child will take birth in the family of Rattan Luhana belonging to Nasarpur a.’ ‘Udero’ means someone who originated from water. As per the popular belief, Varuna Deva, informed the people that Uderolal is his own incarnation. Thereafter, the child came to be known as Saint Jhulelal and thus, became the rescuer of Sindhis. And, that is the sole reason why his birth anniversary is commemorated as Cheti Chand.

We, at MyKundali wish you a very Happy Cheti Chand. May Saint Jhulelal bestow upon you showers of blessings.