New year · Jhulelal (Uderolal), Varuna
Cheti Chand
The Sindhi new year, celebrating the birth of Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhi people.
Also known as: Sindhi New Year, Jhulelal Jayanti, Uderolal Jayanti
Date and muhurat
✓ 28.6519°N, 77.2315°E · Asia/Kolkata
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When is it observed?
The second day (Dwitiya) of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra, usually in March or April. It follows the new moon of Chaitra, around the time of the first crescent, and usually falls a day after Ugadi and Gudi Padwa (which are kept on Pratipada), though it can coincide with them depending on tithi timings.
About Cheti Chand
Cheti Chand takes its name from Chet, the Sindhi word for Chaitra, and chand, the moon. Sindhis begin their new year on this day and also celebrate the birth of Jhulelal, a saint-deity who is venerated as an incarnation of Varuna, the lord of water.
The day is marked with processions in which a decorated image of Jhulelal is carried, community prayers at the temple, and gatherings with food and folk dance. Water is central to it, and many go to a river, lake or sea to give thanks.
Significance
For Sindhis, whose homeland lay along the river Indus, Jhulelal is a protector who stands for faith, tolerance and courage in difficult times. The festival affirms identity and heritage, particularly for a community scattered across India and the world since the Partition.
It is also a message of harmony, since the legend of Jhulelal speaks of a ruler who was taught to respect all faiths. The new year therefore carries a hope for unity, gratitude for water and a fresh start for families.
How the day is kept
- 1Bathe early, wear fresh clothes and clean the house. Traditional or festive Sindhi dress is common.
- 2Set up a small altar with an image of Jhulelal, a lamp (jyoti), a pot of water, sugar-candy (mishri), fruit and flowers.
- 3Light the lamp, offer prayers, and sing the Sindhi hymn Jhulelal Aarti, and the devotional Panjra.
- 4Many Sindhis also keep the Chaliha, a separate forty-day observance of prayer to Jhulelal and simple living, usually held in the summer months; its timing varies by tradition.
- 5Visit a Jhulelal temple or take part in the procession called Baharana Sahib, which carries the lamp and a water pot to a river or pond.
- 6Offer the water, flowers and the sacred offerings of the Baharana to the water, with thanks.
- 7Prepare special food, including sweet rice (tahiri), Sindhi curry and sweets, and share it as prasad.
- 8Greet family and friends with Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadhayun, and join in the Chhej folk dance.
The story
According to Sindhi tradition, in the tenth century a ruler named Mirkhshah of Thatta in Sindh pressed the Hindus of his land to give up their faith. The people gathered on the banks of the Indus and prayed for forty days, fasting and praying to the water god Varuna for deliverance.
On the last day, a voice from the river promised that a child would be born to save them. Jhulelal, also called Uderolal, was born to Ratanchand (also given as Ratan Rai) and Devki at Nasarpur. When the ruler sent soldiers, a miracle is said to have shown him the unity of faiths, and he gave the people freedom to practise their religion. Because the details come from oral tradition, names, places and dates vary between accounts.
What to do
- ✓Greet others with the traditional Sindhi wishes.
- ✓Light the jyoti and offer prayers to Jhulelal.
- ✓Join the procession or community prayers if you can.
- ✓Offer thanks to a river, lake or other water source.
- ✓Share the festive meal with neighbours and guests.
What to avoid
- ✕Do not pollute the water while giving offerings.
- ✕Avoid meat and alcohol on the day of the vow, as in the family tradition.
- ✕Avoid quarrels and disputes on the new year.
- ✕Do not leave the lamp unattended.
Around the country
- Maharashtra (Ulhasnagar, Pune, Mumbai): large Sindhi populations hold big processions with music and floats.
- Gujarat and Rajasthan: community temples and gatherings, with Sindhi cultural programmes.
- Madhya Pradesh and Delhi: Baharana Sahib processions and community meals are popular.
- Pakistan and abroad: Sindhi Hindus in Sindh and in the diaspora also observe the day at Jhulelal shrines.
Frequently asked questions
What does Cheti Chand mean?
Cheti is the Sindhi form of Chaitra and chand means the moon. The name refers to the first crescent of the new Chaitra month, when the Sindhi new year starts.
Who is Jhulelal?
Jhulelal, also called Uderolal, is the patron saint-deity of the Sindhis, regarded as an incarnation of the water god Varuna. He is also revered by some Muslims as Khwaja Khizr.
How is the date decided?
It is Chaitra Shukla Dwitiya. The date on this page is calculated from the panchang for your location, and is usually a day after Ugadi or Gudi Padwa, though it can sometimes fall on the same day.