Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Sindhi Families: Sindhi families across India celebrate their New Year and the birth of Jhulelal, praying for the protection and well-being of the community.
• Devotees of Jhulelal: Those who revere Jhulelal as the saviour of the Sindhi people (Ishtadev) seek his blessings for prosperity, harmony, and a good year ahead.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Bath: Bathe early, during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn period) or at sunrise, and wear fresh clothes to welcome the New Year.
• Morning Puja: The puja of Jhulelal and the Akho Jyot (the sacred flame) is done in the morning after the bath. Check the muhurat for your city on this page.
• Evening Procession and Aarti: In the evening, the community gathers at the temple (mandir), takes out the Bahrana Sahib procession, and performs the aarti (some families do the aarti at home instead).
• Immersion and Prasad: The Bahrana Sahib is offered to water at the end of the day, and the prasad is shared.

About the Festival

Cheti Chand is a much-loved Sindhi festival, celebrated across India as the Sindhi New Year and the birthday of Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhi community. It takes place on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra.

The Katha (Story of Jhulelal)

Once upon a time, in Sindh, a ruler named Mirkhshah began to oppress the Hindu people and gave them an ultimatum: accept his religion, or face death. Terrified, the people asked for time, and went to the banks of the river Indus. For forty days they fasted, prayed, and sang in the name of Varun Dev, the Lord of Water, seeking his protection.

On the fortieth day, a voice came from the river, saying that he would be born as a child in Nasarpur, to Mata Devki and Ratanchand, to protect the faith. A child was born, and he was named Udero Lal, later known as Jhulelal, also called Daryalal. He was a child of rare wisdom and divine power.

When Mirkhshah sent his men to the child, they saw him appear as a wise old man who spoke of peace: "The same God dwells in everyone. Do not harm those who pray in a different way, for Allah and Ishwar are one." When the ruler tried to force his will, fire and water rose around his palace, and he finally bowed before Jhulelal and begged forgiveness.

Pleased with his repentance, Jhulelal blessed the people to live in peace and freedom. Since that day, the Sindhi community has remembered him on Cheti Chand, with prayers, songs, and the flame of the Akho Jyot.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Painting: Picture or idol of Jhulelal (Udero Lal)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee, a lit Akho Jyot, and incense sticks
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash filled with clean water, with a coconut and mango leaves
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Misri (rock sugar), Panjiri, Tahiri (sweet rice), fruits, and Puris
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, sacred thread (kalava), and the Bahrana Sahib (a plate with the lamp, Kalash, sugar, fruits, and flowers)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, new clothes in honour of the New Year.
2. Clean the home and decorate the entrance with flowers and Rangoli.
3. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Jhulelal Sai, today I begin this New Year at your feet. Protect my family, keep us in peace, and bless our community with unity and prosperity."

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Morning)

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) or the prayer area of your home.
2. Place the image of Jhulelal on a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean cloth.
3. Place the Kalash filled with water and a coconut near the picture, and arrange the Bahrana Sahib in front of it.

Step 3: Performing the Morning Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light the Akho Jyot and a Ghee Diya before Jhulelal.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to the image and the Kalash.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a piece of Kalava around the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place Misri, Panjiri, fruits, and sweet rice before the deity.

Step 4: Reciting the Story of Jhulelal

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the story of Jhulelal with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains at the deity's feet and pray for his blessings.

Step 5: Aarti and the Bahrana Sahib Procession (Evening)

1. Perform the Jhulelal Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns and Jhulelal bhajans.
2. Take part in the procession, carrying the Bahrana Sahib with the community while singing the praises of Jhulelal.
3. At the end of the day, offer the contents of the Bahrana Sahib to flowing water, such as a river or lake, with prayers of thanks.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the Misri and Panjiri as prasad among your family members, friends, and the community.
3. Share a festive meal together and greet each other with warm wishes for the New Year.