Cheti Chand is a significant festival celebrated by the Sindhi people of India and Pakistan. Date of this festival is decided based on Hindu calendar, which falls on the second day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. In many occasions, it is celebrated one day after Ugadi and Gudi Padwa.
Cheti Chand is the day when the New Moon appears after the No-Moon day. Since it is the first appearance of the moon in the Cheti month, this day is known as Cheti Chand.
The Sindhi people celebrate Cheti Chand as the birth anniversary of their Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the patron saint of Sindhis.
Saint Jhulelal was born during the 10th century in Sindh, though the exact year of birth is not known. That time Sindh was under the rule of Sumras, who were very tolerant to all other religions. However, there was a tyrant named Mirkshah who threatened Sindhi Hindus that they should either convert to Islam religion or face death.
The helpless Sindhis prayed to River God to save them from the forced conversion. After forty days of worship, the River God appeared before them and promised that a divine child is going take birth in Nasarpur to protect them from all calamities. Saint Jhulelal was that child.
It is a highly auspicious day and is celebrated with much pomp and passion. Water, which is regarded as the elixir of life, is worshipped on this day
