Sindhi Festivals

Sindhis are a Sindhi speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from Sindh now a province of Pakistan. Today Sindhis that live in Pakistan are predominantly Muslim but there are also smaller minorities of Hindus and Christians. After the Partition of India in 1947, a large number of Indian Muslims(Muhajirs) flocked into Pakistan and settled in the prosperous Sindh region.

At the same time Sindhi Hindus migrated to India in large numbers, while many of those who remained converted to Islam.



Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand is a festival which is commemorated to celebrate the birth anniversary of Jhulelal, who is considered by the Sindhis to be the reincarnation of Lord Varuna or the God of Water. This is also celebrated as Sindhi New Year and it falls on the first day of the month of Chaitra which is called as Cheti in Sindhi.The Sindhi people have much regard for water and it has a special significance for in olden days the merchants used to have trade with different countries and used to travel in water by ship. The people celebrate Cheti Chand by visiting Jhulelal mandirs or tikanas across his country and offer prayer ceremonies. The Hyderabadi Amils who are the sub sects and who follow the lines of Sikh gurudwaras also celebrate Cheti Chand.

Janmashtmi ram navmi and shivratri

On the day of Ram Navami or Janamashtami Lord Krishna was born and on the eve of these celebrations like bhajans and kirtan's are held till midnight.Shivratri is also celebrated by visiting temples and stay awake the whole night by praying to God and bhajans. Special pooja ceremonies are held in the temple and on this special day people are offered with a drink called 'Thaadhal' with some 'bhang' in it whereas in villages and cities Taahri or the sweet rice is cooked and is distributed among friends and family and the poor.

Chaliho Sahib

Chailo Sahib is a festival of fasting which falls in the month of July-August. The fasting is observed for forty where it begins with the tying of a revered thread by a priest and praying to Lord Jhulelal.They pray to Lord Jhulelal for forty days and after the fast is over they celebrate the occasion as Thanks Giving Day with festivities. The final day of the occasssion is celebrated by worshipping Bahirana Sahib followed by a procession of the same in the streets. Generally during the forty days of fasting, the morning prayers include a preparation of a dish called Akho made of rice and sugar and in the evening they visit temples and attend kirtan.The legend behind this festival there was a muslim invader Mirkshah Badshah who was a religious fanatic and he wanted all the people of Thatta to convert into Islam. Thus to escape from this tyrant the Hindus worshipped Varun Devta or the God of Water for forty days and on the last day the God answered in the form Jhulelal,the saviour. Since majority of the population of Thatta was of Sindhi Community, Chailo Sahib became a festival of the Sindhis.

Rakhri

This is a festival for the brothers by the sisters. This festival is called as Rakhree Bandhan and falls on the Purnima of Sawan month. During this day the sisters tie Rakhi to their brothers. It is not only the own sisters but even cousin sisters tie rakhi to cousin brothers. At times they even come from far off places to celebrate this occasion. They also exchange sweets during this day and in places where there are rivers or sea people visit and offer coconuts and milk to the God of Waters 'Varun Devta praying for the people who travel by ship and boat.

Teejri

Teejri falls in the Sawan month during monsoon. This festival highlights the fasting by the women of the house. On the day of Teejri women fast for their loved ones and they put Mehendi and play indoor games and the ladies get together singing folk songs and pass the day. They also swing in Jhulas singing songs thinking of their loved ones. When the night falls and after seeing the moon they offer the specially cooked food in the moonlight and then eat by breaking the feast.

Thadri

Thadri or the cooling festival is celebrated in the month of Savan every year on the seventh day of the waning of the moon.Thadri signifies the birth of Yoga-Maya, the sister of Lord Krishna. On this day the mother goddess Sittala is worshipped in various forms. This God is believed to be the God named after various diseases like small pox and measles. The people usually play card game on this day to symbolize that life is also like a game where we will have take success and failure with happiness. As a custom the lady of the house prepare curd and cake on the previous day of the festival itself for on that particular day fire is not supposed to be lit at home. People get together and visit the local shrine by singing songs.

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