Hindu

Cheti Chand 2027 चेटी चंड

Sindhi New Year and Birthday of Jhulelal

Wednesday, 7 April 2027

Cheti Chand is the Sindhi New Year and the birth anniversary of Jhulelal, the patron saint of Sindhi Hindus, celebrated with processions to rivers and lakes.

How the date is fixed: Second day of the bright half of Chaitra (Chet), when the first moon of the new month is seen

Why Cheti Chand is celebrated

For the Sindhi community, Cheti Chand opens the new year and honours Jhulelal, whom devotees regard as a form of Varuna, the god of water. Water sits at the centre of Sindhi identity, since the community grew along the Indus river and many families lived by trade over rivers and seas. Prayers on this day ask for safety, prosperity and the protection of faith.

After Partition in 1947, most Sindhi Hindus left their homeland and resettled across India with very little. Cheti Chand became a way to hold the scattered community together, keep the Sindhi language and customs alive and pass them on to children born far from Sindh.

History and story of Cheti Chand

The name comes from "Chet", the Sindhi form of Chaitra, and "chand", the moon. The festival falls when the first crescent of the new month appears.

The story of Jhulelal is set in the town of Thatta in Sindh. A ruler named Mirkhshah ordered Hindus to give up their faith. Tradition says the people prayed on the banks of the Indus and heard a divine promise that a saviour would be born. A boy was born in Nasarpur to Ratanchand and Devki, and was named Udero Lal. As he grew, he challenged the ruler, displayed miraculous powers according to devotees, and convinced him to allow everyone to follow their own faith. Followers call him Jhulelal, Darya Lal and Lal Sain, and Muslims in Sindh honour the same figure as Zinda Pir. His main shrine stands in the village of Udero Lal in Sindh.

How Cheti Chand is celebrated

Families wake early, bathe and visit a Jhulelal temple. The central ritual is the Behrano Sahib, a decorated thali carrying a lamp of wheat flour, sugar, cardamom, fruits, a coconut on a kalash, flowers and an image of Jhulelal. Devotees carry it in a procession to a river, lake or the sea, singing and dancing the traditional chhej, and offer it to the water. The cry "Ayo Lal, Jhulelal" rings through the procession.

At home, people prepare sweet saffron rice called tahiri and sai bhaji, and share prasad of boiled chana. Traders open new account books, and many families give food and clothes to the needy.

Important days and moments

Temple darshan (Morning of 19 March 2026 (Thursday))
Families visit Jhulelal temples for prayers and seek blessings for the new year.
Behrano Sahib procession (Afternoon to evening)
The decorated offering thali is carried with music and chhej dance to a river, lake or the sea and offered to the water.
Community langar and fair (Through the day)
Sindhi associations host free meals, cultural programmes and stalls of Sindhi food.

Cheti Chand across India

The largest celebrations take place where Sindhi families settled after Partition: Ulhasnagar and Mumbai in Maharashtra, Ahmedabad and Adipur Gandhidham in Gujarat, Jaipur and Ajmer in Rajasthan, Bhopal and Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Raipur and Delhi. Ulhasnagar holds some of the biggest processions in India. Smaller Sindhi communities, including in Dehradun, gather at local temples and community halls.

Other names and related festivals

Jhulelal Jayanti
Sindhi New Year
Uderolal Jayanti

Chaitra Sukladi (Hindu New Year) 7 Apr 2027
Gudi Padwa 7 Apr 2027
Ugadi 7 Apr 2027

Frequently asked questions

When is Cheti Chand in 2027?

Cheti Chand falls on Wednesday, 7 April 2027.

Is Cheti Chand a bank holiday?

The RBI bank holiday lists for 2027 are not out yet; they usually come out in December or January. Each state follows its own list, so check your state's bank holiday page then.

Is Cheti Chand a central government holiday?

Cheti Chand is in the list of optional holidays. The central government employees' coordination committee of each state capital decides whether offices in that state close for it.

What are the other names of Cheti Chand?

Cheti Chand is also known as Jhulelal Jayanti, Sindhi New Year, Uderolal Jayanti.

What is Cheti Chand?

It is the Sindhi New Year, falling at the start of the month of Chet. It is also the birth anniversary of Jhulelal.

Who is Jhulelal?

Jhulelal is the patron saint of Sindhi Hindus, believed by devotees to be a form of the water god Varuna. Tradition says he protected the people of Sindh from forced conversion.

What is Behrano Sahib?

It is a decorated offering of a flour lamp, sugar, fruit, a coconut and flowers. Devotees carry it in procession and offer it to flowing water.