Cheti Chand – A Sindhi New Year
Cheti Chand is widely known because the birthday of Water God popularly referred to as Jhulelal. If we look at the Sindh Calendar, it’s celebrated on the primary day of the Chaitra month referred to as Chet in Sindhi. Hence known as CHET-I-CHAND.
This day is considered very auspicious and celebrated with imperious and cheerfulness. Sindhi People Worship water on this day.
The history behind the Celebration
In the 11th century, a tyrannical ruler named Mirkh Shah from nearby Thatta ordered that local Sindhis convert into Islam within 24 hours or sacrifice. Sindhis prayed at the bank of the Sindhu River, where they saw a vision of Varun Dev who informed them that he will be born in Nasirpur for relief from the hardship.
On the birth of Jhulelal, Mirkh Shah commanded his Minister to kill him with a poisoned rose petal. When Ahirio saw the infant, Jhulelal smiled and therefore the poisoned rose petal blew out of Ahirio’s possession. When Ahirio caught sight of Jhulelal for a second time. He was startled to ascertain that the infant had grown into an elderly man. The elderly man was then said to possess became a young man. Then a warrior on horseback before Ahirio’s eyes.
Ahirio returned to recount the story to Mirkhshah, who then lambasted Ahirio, and told him to go away and call out for Jhulelal by the banks of the Indus. Mirkhshah was still in doubt but invited Jhulelal to his court. Jhulelal is then said to possess vanished, leaving Mirkhshah enraged. Where Jhulelal was born and located, followers then rushed to the house in Nasarpur.
The infant consoled the distraught Sindhis and commanded them to assemble at a temple near the Indus. Rest at assembling, a firestorm broke out and immersed Mirkhshah’s palaces. The king escaped to the banks of the river, where he found Jhulelal. Now again a warrior and his Sindhi followers shielded from the firestorm.
The king fell in front of Jhulelal, and Jhulelal dismissed the storm with the movement of his hand. After saving the Sindhis, it’s believed that he was swallowed up by the earth. A temple was built at now, which is now called the oderolal shrine.
Wishing in the Sindhi Language
Sindhi people say Jeko chawdho Jhule Lal Tehnija Theenda Beda Paar. It means who so ever says Jhulelal his/her ship will reach safety. Let’s celebrate Cheti Chand, the festival of happiness and new hopes.
