CHETI CHAND - THE BIRTH OF LORD JHULELAL (PART 1)

 

LORD JHULELAL seated on the palla Fish.

India is one of the ancient and oldest civilization in the world, known for it's various cultures, religion, festival's and Communities. One of the well known Community,we will talk about is Sindhi Community and their rich cultural history and their festival of Cheti-Chand.  

What is Cheti Chand ?

Cheti-Chand is one of the most important  major festival of Sindhi  Community, Which is Celebrated World wide by all the Sindhi diaspora,with great Joy and Enthusiasm.

Cheti-Chand festival is regarded as Sindhi "New-Year",Sindhi's follows the "Vikram Sambat" Calander which is linked with the Hindu King Vikramaditya.

Cheti-Chand is celebrated on the first day of  Chaitra  month, known as CHET in Sindhi,hence it is known as Cheti-Chand.

It is one of the most auspicious day as Sindhi Community celebrate the festival of Cheti-Chand to perpetuate the birth anniversary of Ishta Dev Uderolal, reincarnation of "Varun Devta",which is popularly known as LORD JHULELAL,the  patron  Saint of  Sindhi's.

Why is Cheti Chand celebrated ?

 The first and oldest civilization is Indus valley,and it was the same Era when LORD JHULELAL was born on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra in Sindh. Although the  exact  time  and  the year of LORD  JHULELAL'S incarnation is not known,his birth year is estimated some time in the middle of the 10th Century.This was the period when Sindh came under the rule of Sumras. 

        According to Legend, in the second half of  tenth 10th Century  CE, the  province  of THATTA,in Sindh came under the Rule of the Makrab Khan he acquired the Kingdom by killing Shah Sadakat Khan and crowned himself as "Mrikh Shah". As soon as he was crowned his Maulvis (Courtier's) advised him to spread Islam in order to acquire Janat (Heaven) upon their advice,he called the Mukhi ( Hindu-Leader) to embrace Islam or prepare to die.The Mukhi (Hindu-Leader) was terrified and begged for sometime to consider the Shahi  Farman  (Royal edict) While trying  to  find  a  solution  to  the problem, with the Hindu Sindhi people.It was discussed  about  the  promise  of "LORD KRISHNA in Bhagvad Gita", whenever the Sin's increases beyond the limit  and  the religion,  seems  to be endangered,I will come in the form of an Avatar (Incarnate) and mitigate the distress of my worshippers .To Save themselves from wicked Mrikh Shah,the Sindhi Hindu's turned to God "Varun" the God  of  the River.Thousand's gathered on the bank of river Sindhu and prayed Jal Devta Dariya Shah (Water God) for safe guarding them from the cruel and undesirable action's of Mrikh Shah.

           During the prayer time,people wear the same clothes, without shaving, without any footwear,also took the bath without oil and soap and took fasting,simple food was served onetime,people slept

at the bank's of Sindhu River,praying and Singing lullaby for God also known as (Lal ja Panjras) in Sindhi.At the end of the 40th day ,they heard a divine voice (Akashwani) from heaven.The Heavenly voice told them that 8 month's from now,I shall take birth in the house of Ratanchand Lohana and from the womb of Mata Devki in Nasarpur and will rescue you all.On Cheti-Chand day Mata Devki gave birth to a baby boy.The child was named "Udaychand" means (Rising Moon). Immediately upon the birth of the child the parents saw in his mouth Sindhu River flowing and an old man riding on a Palla Fish upstream in a northerly direction.

He was also called "Uderolal",it is said that when "Uderolal" was a child,his cradle (Swing) rocked itself to Lull him to sleep earning him the name JHULELAL- the LORD of Swing.

TO BE CONTINUED.......................

What did Mrikshah do after the lord's birth ?

How did he become his disciple ?

How did the Legacy of the Lord continued?

By Viinod Baherani

Part 2 LINK(https://www.oldmonk78.com/2024/03/cheti-chand-birth-of-lord-jhulelal-part_0254609776.html)