Chalio/Chaliho also called Chaliho Sahib is a forty-day-long festival celebrated by Sindhi Hindu community.[1][2][3]
The Chaliho Sindhi Festival: A Celebration of Faith, Resilience, and Cultural Heritage
The Chaliho Sindhi Festival, also known as Chalio Sahib, is a profoundly significant cultural and religious event celebrated by Sindhi Hindus worldwide. This 40-day festival honors Lord Shri Jhulelal Bhagwan, the patron deity of Sindhi Hindus and incarnation of Lord Varuna, the Hindu god of water.
Historical Background
The festival originates from the Sindhi people's struggle against forced conversion in ancient Sindh (now Pakistan). A tyrannical ruler
threatened to convert them to Islam or face death. The Sindhi people prayed to Lord Jhulelal for 40 days and 40 nights, seeking protection.
Their devotion was rewarded, and their faith was preserved.
Lord Jhulelal's Significance
Patron deity of Sindhi Hindus
Incarnation of Lord Varuna (Hindu god of water)
Protector of Sindhi people and faith
Symbol of hope and resilience
Worshiped in temples and homes
History
According to legend, Mirkshah, a Muslim ruler of Sindh ordered all Hindus to forcibly convert to Islam or face persecution. The Hindu representatives then requested a forty-day grace period from the ruler for their reply.[1] During this period of time, the frightened Hindus of Sindh prayed to their river God Varuna to help them.
For forty days, the Hindus underwent penance. They neither shaved nor wore new clothes, praying, fasting and singing songs in the praise of Varuna. They beseeched him to save them from the hands of their persecutor.[1]
On the fortieth day, a voice was heard from Heaven: "Fear not, I shall save you from the wicked Mirkshah. I shall come down as a mortal and take birth in the womb of Mata Devki in the house of Ratanchand Lohano of Nasarpur". Ratanchand Lohano was a Hindu who belonged to the Lohana caste.
The Sindhis were relieved and rejoiced at this Akashvani. Shortly after, the couple announced the birth of Dariyalal (Jhulelal), who later taught a lesson to Mirkshah and his Muslim Followers, absolving the Hindus.
Henceforth, Sindhis worshipped Jhulelal as their Ishta deva. They started to observe forty days of fasting with full faith and devotion known as Chaliho Sahib. Those who observed this fast had to follow the following obligations:
Not to eat fried eatables, non-vegetarian food, onion and garlic, white items like milk, curd, rice
Not to shave or cut hair and nails, not to use soap and oils
Wear simple clothes and not to wear leather shoes or leather belts
Not to use tadka in any dish, etc. living a purely simple life
On the last day, they perform Pujas offering an earthen pot to the Darriya River. They offer akho [raw rice sugar flowers] to Dariya. Sindhis keep this fast avoiding non-veg, even garlic and onions.
Festival
The 40-day-long festival is observed every year in months of July to August, dates vary according to Hindu calendar.[1][2] This is a thanks-giving celebration in honour of Varuna Deva and Jhulelal for listening to their prayers.[1][2]
To keep this tradition alive, all HinduSindhi, even today, celebrate the event by keeping forty days of penance.
While some people fast only on the first and last day of Chalio, others fast for the first nine days or for 21 days.
[2] Sindhi men and women dance in front of the idol of Jhulelal in their temples to the tune of their folk music and bhajan, the devotional songs.
Key Aspects of the Festival
- Duration and Timing: 40 days, typically starting in July-August as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar (Hindu month of Shravan)
- Rituals and Observances: -
Chaliha Vrat: Devotees follow a strict routine of prayers, fasting, and abstaining from luxuries and entertainment for 40, 20, 11, 5, or 4 days (Allowed as per the modern faith)
- Jhulelal Worship: Prayers and rituals held at temples and homes, commencing each day with Lord Jhulelal's Aarti, Akho (Jal Aahuti),
Palav (Sindhi Ardaas), Panjda (Bhakti geet of Lord Jhulelal), and Dhun
Sindhis make a symbolic representation of their God Jhulelal in each and every household, which is known as Bahrana Sahib.
Baharana Sahib: A Sacred Procession
The Chaliho Sindhi Festival culminates in Baharana Sahib, a majestic procession honouring Lord Jhulelal, where devotees carry a beautifully decorated water urn, symbolizing Jhulelal, to a nearby body of water, performing Jal Yagya, a sacred water offering to Jal Devta Shri Jhulelal Bhagwan.
This significant ritual represents Lord Jhulelal's presence and signifies devotion and gratitude through flowers, coconuts, and lit oil lamps, and strengthens community bonds. The procession involves prayers, chants, and immersion of the water urn, followed by final rituals marking the festival's conclusion, ultimately showcasing the Sindhi community's devotion to Lord Jhulelal and their rich cultural heritage.
Baharana Sahib consists of jyot, sugar candy, phota, fruits, clove and akho. Behind is an earthen pot with a coconut in it, covered with cloth, flowers, leaves and idol of God Jhulelal.[4][3] A sweet dish named akho, made from rice and sugar is offered during morning prayers.[5] For forty days, they worship it, offering prasad and sing aarti to Bahrana Sahib. On the 41st day Baharana Sahib is taken to a nearby river or lake and immersed among singing and dancing of devotional songs,[2] marking the festival's end.
Cultural Significance
- Community Bonding: Fosters unity and cultural identity among Sindhis
- Folk Songs and Dances: Preserves Sindhi heritage
- Global Observance: Celebrated in India, USA, UK, and other countries
Global Celebrations
1. India: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore
2. Pakistan: Sindh region (historical significance)
3. USA: New York, New Jersey, California, Texas
4. UK: London, Birmingham, Manchester
5. Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai: Sindhi diaspora communities
Notable Celebrations
1. Mumbai's Jhulelal Temple: Grand procession and cultural events
2. Sindhu Bhavan (Pune): Traditional Sindhi folk performances
3. London's Jhulelal Mandir: Baharana Sahib procession along the Thames
4. New York's Sindhi Community Center: Cultural programs and food festival
Modern Twists
1. Virtual celebrations
2. Fusion of traditional and modern music, dance, and art
3. Cultural exchange programs
4. Efforts to preserve Sindhi language and literature
The Chaliho Sindhi Festival embodies the Sindhi community's unwavering faith, resilience, and cultural pride, marking their historical struggle and devotion to Lord Jhulelal
