Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand
Cheti Chand banner in Pune, India
Observed by	Sindhis
Type	Sindhi New Year's Day
Date	March/April
2010 date	March 17 (not 16)
2011 date	April 5 (not 4)
Celebrations	1 day

Cheti Chand is celebrated as New Year's Day by Sindhis, According to the Hindu calendar, Cheti Chand is celebrated on the second day of the Chaitra month known as Chet in Sindhi. Hence it is known as CHET-I-CHAND. It is the second day of month chaitra (i.e. a day after Ugadi and Gudi Padwa).

The Sindhi community celebrates the festival of Cheti Chand in honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the Patron Saint of the Sindhis. This day is considered to be very auspicious and is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. On this day, people worship water – the elixir of life.

Followers of Jhulelal observe Chaliho Sahab. It suggests that for forty long days and nights they underwent rituals and vigil on the bank of Sindhu. They did not shave, nor did they wear new clothes or shoes. They did not use soap or oil or any opulent thing. They just washed their clothes, dried them and wore them again. In the evening, they worshiped God Varun (Vedic deity of water and cosmic order), sang songs in his praise and prayed for solace and salvation. After 40 days of Chaaliho, the followers of Jhulelal celebrate the occasion with festivity as 'Thanks Giving Day' even till today.

On this day, many Sindhis take Baharana Sahib to a nearby river or lake. Baharana Sahib consists of Jyot (Oil Lamp), Misiri (Crystal Sugar), Phota (Cardamom), Fal (Fruits), and Akha. Behind is Kalash (Water jar) and a Nariyal (Coconut) in it, covered with cloth, phool (flowers) and patta (leaves). There is also a Murti (Idol) of Pujya Jhulelal Devta (Pujya=Worthy of worship, Devta=Deity).

How to wish

The Sindhi New Year greeting is: "Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav". The response is: "Twah khe bhi Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav".

References

• http://www.sindhunagar.com/chetichand.php
• http://www.bawarchi.com/festivals/cheti.html