Cheti Chand 2017: Significance of the Sindhi New Year

A grab from a video titled 'Jhulelal Dhuni' published on YouTube by Sanjay Bhojwani.

Cheti Chand or the Sindhi New Year coincides with the second day of the Chaitra Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar. And since on this day, the moon first appears after a no moon day, it is called Cheti Chand. This day is also known as Jhulelal Jayanti.

The day falls in the month of March-April according to the Gregorian calendar. Cheti Chand celebrations also coincide with the New Year festivities in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This year, it is being celebrated today by the Hindu Sindhi community in India, Pakistan and across the globe.

The auspicious day also marks the arrival of the Ishta Devta of the Sindhis – Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal. It is believed that Jhulelal is an incarnation of Lord Varuna or River God. Jhulelal is hailed by the Hindu Sindhis because he saved them from the tyranny of Mirkshah.

According to a legend, the Sindhi were threatened by Mirkshah who warned them of dire consequences if they refused to convert to Islam. The Sindhis prayed to God on the banks of the Sindhu river for 40 days. On the last day, they heard a voice from the skies that informed that a divine baby would be born to Devaki and Ratanchand Lohano in Nasarpur. A few days later, they learnt that the baby was indeed on its way to earth.

The baby was named Udaichand and was also called Uderolal. Interestingly, the cradle that carried the baby rocked on its own without human assistance, the divine infant came to be known as Jhulelal. Also, people could see Sindhu River inside the baby’s mouth and a divine figure sitting on a fish.

As the baby grew up, Mirkshah attempted to kill the baby but failed in his mission. Once Uderolal turned old enough to confront Mirkshah, the tyrant realised his folly and apologised to him for his grave mistakes.

Thus the Sindhis were rid of the crimes committed against them by Mirkshah.