HAPPY SINDHI NEW YEAR 2014

SINDHI NEW YEAR 2014
CHETI CHAND FESTIVAL

www.funbull.com - Cheti Chand is celebrated as New Year's Day by Sindhis people. According to the Hindu calendar, Cheti Chand is celebrated on the second day of the Chaitra month known as Chet in Sindhi. So it is known as CHET-I-CHAND. IT is one day after Gudi Padwa and Ugadi. 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 pompous and gaiety. On this day, people worship water – the elixir of life. There is a spirit associated with this festival which raises the hope and expectations along with the New Year. This one is a homely affair and is rich in all traditions and customs.

On this day many Sindhis take Baharana Sahib to nearby River or Lake. Baharana Sahib is a collection of sweets and accessories for a ceremony and consists of Jyot (Oil Lamp), Misiri (Crystal Sugar), Phota (Cardamom), Fal (Fruits), and Akha. Behind is Kalsh (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. 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 worshipped God Varun, sang songs in his praise and prayed for their solace and salvation. After 40 days of Chaaliho, the followers of Jhulelal celebrate the occasion with festivity as 'Thanksgiving Day' even till today.

Cheti Chand is the Sindhi New Year Day celebrated on the second day of Cheti month (Chaitra month). This year Cheti Chand falls on Tuesday April 01, 2014. It is the birthday’s commemoration of the Sindhi patron saint Jhulelal. This festival is to give honor the birth of Water God (Varuna Devata), popularly known as Jhulelal. Sindhis keep their shops and activities closed on this day, even food are not cooked at the home, and they gathered at Jhulelal Temple, where after a session of singing, the worship of Jhulelal is made and the procession of Baharana begins. Although the Indian National Calendar is the official calendar for the Hindus, as we have explained many times, regional variants still prevail. As a result, Hindus have a host of New Year festivities that are unique to the particular regions on this vast country. This is one significant characteristic of the Indian cultural mélange, and hence, Hindus in various states of India celebrate the New Year in their own ways. And as we have said before, the ancient spirit of India is to tolerate, accept and harmonize in order to achieve unity in diversity; therefore Indian people respect all regional festivals and religious celebrations. So, our greetings to the Sindhi community for this Hindu New Year (Cheti Chand), and along with them we say in the native Sindhi Language “Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav”, which means lakhs of wishes for Happy Cheti Chand! (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

A pertinent question is often raised as to what Hinduism has to offer in regard to the emerging concepts of interfaith. Hinduism may be considered as a living link between the ancient tribal system and the organized religions of the later periods. The ancient concept of Mother Earth is also the basic Vedic theme. Reverence of nature, Earth, sun, planets, rivers, and all the cosmos are the heritage of the Hindu philosophy. The reverence to nature is then extended to family. A unified vision of the world as one family has been ingrained as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Hindu sages have always considered different religions as divergent aspects of the same truth. The sages of the modern era, too, have repeatedly prompted us to create a liaison between the East and the West, to achieve the best possible results without compromising the essential and basic principles.

Dr. Hiro Badlani :
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
Chapter 55 - “Hinduism and Interfaith”
“The Future Trends in Our World”
http://hinduismpath.com/
http://hinduismpath.com/book-contents/chapter-55

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/