Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand is one of the most necessary festivals of the Sindhi community and is commemorate in cachet of the birth of Sindhi Philanthropist Saint Jhulelal. This festival is celebrated as the Sindhi New year and it falls on the 2nd day of brighter lunar fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in Chaitra month. On this eve, people pray for prosperity and wealth to the powerful Lord Varun (Deity of Water). As Jhulelal is considered to be an embodiment of the Deity of Water. Cheti Chand not only holds spiritual significance, but it also equally boasts the traditional values & notion 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 opportunity people unite and ignite pretty lamps and Diyas as they paint the town red. Let’s see the process of celebrating Cheti Chand.

1. Cheti Chand gets going right from the morning by visiting temples and by getting the blessings of the elderly.
2. Sindhis take Baharana Sahib to a nearly 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 do the traditional puja using all the necessary ingredient 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. 
3. 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.
4. Devotees worship the Lord of Water- Varun and also observe Chaliho Sahab which is almost a 40 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.
5. As per the Sindhi tradition, it is auspicious that the newborns are tonsure (Mundan) on this holy day.

Legend behind Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand is consider to be the 1st day of the new year as per the Sindhu’s as it marks the new startup 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 guard of belief. He really pushed for unity between the Hindus and Muslims as well as emphasized on the beliefs of God. He said that there is only one God and that we should all live in peace and unison. This is the reason why Lord Jhulelal is worshipped so religiously by both the Hindus and Muslims.