Cheti Chand
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Cheti Chand is celebrated as the birthday of Water god (Varun Devta) Sai Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal. So much has been said and written about it that it would be superfluous to repeat the event. In Sindh the beginning of the new
year was considered Cheti Chand. Some businessmen opened new account books; many however, did that on the eve of Diwali. On the full moon day, people used to go to a river or lake and offer 'Akho' with a pinch of rice mixed with milk mand flour.
In India it is a main festival which starts with the worships of Jhulelal and Bahrano is being taken with the folk dance Chej being performed by males in the presence of Jhulelal, with typical Sindhi musicians which are nowadays in a pitiable condition. Various
organizations, institutions celebrate this annual function which is mostly attended by Sindhis.
Legend of Jhulelal
Mirkhshah, a tyrant and a fanatic, forced Hindus to embrace Islam. The oppressed Hindus prayed. They underwent rituals and vigil on the bank of Sindhu. In the evening, they worshipped God Varun, sang songs in his praise and prayed for their solace and salvation.
No new clothes or shoe were used. Men did not shave. And finally on the 40th day, the River god spoke to them.
The answer to the prayers of Hindus was Jhulelal. He was born to Devaki and Rattanchand of Nasarpur on Cheti Chand, two tithis from new moon of CHET. A Punjabi astrologer in Nassarpur called the child Uderolal. Udero in Sanskrit means who
has sprung from the waters. The inhabitants of Nassarpur called the newborn Amarlal, an immortal child.
The cradle of Uderolal would swing on its own, hence the child got the name “Jhulelal” which means one who swings to and fro. As a child, Uderolal performed many miracles for Ratanchand and the inhabitants of Nassarpur.
Mirkhshah became very anxious to have first-hand knowledge about the mysterious child. Divine interventions always led to the defeat of Mirkshah. Finally when Uderolal came face to face with Mirkhshah, he said,"Whatever you see around yourself
is the creation of one and only God, whom you call 'Allah' and Hindus call 'Ishwar'. Hindus, Muslims and other human beings are all His creation". Jhulelal was known as the Asht Dev of Sindhis.
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