Chaliho Sindhi Festival
Sindhi Religious Fast
It is all part of Sindhi history that how the Mirak Shah troubled Hindus at Thatta and how the God Varun Devata Lal Sai Uderolal rescue them [ See JHULELAL]. All the Hindus started the festival of giving thanks to God in the form of Chaliho Sahib, A forty days long devotional life style and fast. Majority of Hindu population at Thatta was of the Sindhi Community hence with time Chaliho Sahib become integral part of life and important festival of the Sindhi Community.
In Modern times also Chaliho Sahib is observed with all the devotion and faith by the Sindhis. On the forty first day Pooja of Bahrano Sahib is performed with procession or gathering of devotees at Jhulelal Temple. In the beginning celebration of Chaliho Sahib was restricted to Thatta Only.
Rohari was famous for the celebrations related to Cheti-Chand beginning of Sindhi new year. The day being celebrated as Sindhi New Year day, slowly the celebration of Chaliho Sahib also started at Rohari. Bulchandani family of Pirgoath were the real devotee of Jhulelal and Khatumal Bulchandani was used to go Rohari every year, all the way from Pirgoath for the Chaliho Sahib on one such occasion Sai Vasan Shah told him “Now your age is not such that you can travel from Pirgoath to Rohari, so it will be good if you start Chaliho Sahib at your own place.” and in this way the celebration of Chaliho Sahib started to spread over the other cities than Rohari. In the Pirgoath only four people have started the Chaliho Sahib. After the partition the Bulchandani Family Shifted to India At Ulhasnagar and Presently their Fifth Generation is helping people for Chaliho at “Chaliho Sahib Temple” at Ulhasnagar -5.
Bahrano Sahib - Video
Chaliho - Celebration Style - Customs & Traditions
In the India Observation of Chaliho Sahib starts usually in the month of July. All the devotees gathered in the temple of Jindah Pir Lal Sai Jhulelal.
Pooja Samagiri: Every Devotee brings with him, 41 loung [clove], 41 phota [condemn], 1.25 Kg Chanvar [Rice], 41 Small pieces of Misari [ A kind of Sugar], 5 Fresh seasonal fruits and 1 Nariyal [Coconut] as the offering to God.
After the pooja Brahman [priest] tie a special red thread [ Gano] on the wrist of every devotee. This Gano is to be pravahed [allowed to merged in river water] in the river on 41st day at the end of Chaliho.
Life of devotee during Chaliho
During the Chaliho devotee lives very simple life, “Brahmacharya” is considered as most sanctified aspect. After the morning prayer “Akho” is offered every day. People can also opt for fast of either first 10days or 21 days, instead of regular 40 days fast. Devotees are supposed to do :
Sleeping on bed is not allowed – Avoid consumption of white items like rice, curd or milk – Fried & non-vegetarian food is not allowed – No shaving or cutting hair – Wearing simple clothes (many people wear the same dress for all 40 days) – No use of soap and oil – Wearing leather belts or shoes must be avoided (many people live bare footed for all 40 days).
Completing (Samapti) Chaliho
After observing the simple life as described above, [ One thing which we wish to add that still there are some people who wear the only single dress during these forty days.], for forty days. All the devotees keep fast on the forty first day and in the afternoon gathered in the temple. Brahman Swami performs special Pooja and devotees break the fast with sesa. Afterward all the devotees with Mataki [earthen pot] on their heads, go to river bank with the procession of Bahrana to pay thanks to Daryah Shah.