By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Indian Community in Freetown on Sunday 30th March, 2025 marked the Cheti Chand festival with vibrant celebrations, commemorating the Hindu New Year and the birth anniversary of Shri Jhulelal, the revered deity of Sindhi Hindus. The event featured a colorful procession from Ishwari Supermarket on Wilkinson Road to the Indian Temple, where prayers and cultural performances took place.
Devotees, dressed in festive attire, filled the streets with joyous singing, dancing and traditional Sindhi hymns as they paid homage to Shri Jhulelal. The temple became a hub of spiritual energy as renowned artists from India led soul-stirring prayers and devotional songs, fostering a sense of unity and devotion among attendees.
Speaking at the event, Niharika Agnani, a representative of the Indian community, emphasized the cultural and spiritual significance of the festival, describing it as a moment of faith, unity and renewal for Sindhi Hindus worldwide.
According to Niharika Agnani, Cheti Chand commemorates the birth of Shri Jhulelal, the Ishtdev (patron deity) of Sindhi Hindus and an incarnation of Varuna Dev, the Hindu God of Water. She explained that in the 10th century, Sindhi Hindus endured oppression under a tyrannical ruler, prompting them to undertake 40 days of fasting and prayers for divine intervention.
“In response to their prayers, a divine voice promised the birth of a savior,” she stated. The child, Uderolal, later known as Jhulelal, performed miracles and ultimately persuaded the ruler to respect religious freedom, securing the survival of Sindhi faith and traditions.
Niharika Agnani noted that Cheti Chand falls on the first day of the Chaitra month (March-April) in the Hindu lunar calendar and coincides with other Hindu New Year celebrations such as Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra) and Ugadi (South India). She described the festival as “a time of renewal, prosperity and spiritual awakening, offering devotees a fresh start for the year ahead.”
Highlighting the deep connection between Shri Jhulelal and water, she explained that water plays a sacred role in Sindhi culture. “Devotees offer prayers to water bodies, seeking divine blessings, protection and abundance,” she said, adding that water symbolizes purity, sustenance and life in Sindhi traditions.
Describing the celebratory activities, Niharika Agnani stated that the festival features grand processions with Jhulelal’s idol, accompanied by traditional music, devotional songs and dancing. “We sing and dance as a form of spiritual expression, paying tribute to Jhulelal’s legacy,” she said.
She further explained that special prayer sessions and hymns are held at temples, creating an atmosphere of spiritual devotion. “It is a time for community feasts and acts of charity, reinforcing values of generosity and unity within the Sindhi community,” she noted also highlighting the ritual of lighting lamps (diyas) and offering prayers near rivers and seas, symbolizing gratitude to the Water God.
Niharika Agnani stressed that Cheti Chand is more than just a religious observance it is a celebration of Sindhi cultural heritage and resilience. “This festival reminds us of our faith, unity and strength as a people,” she said. She described Cheti Chand as “a moment to seek peace, prosperity and blessings for the year ahead, ensuring that our traditions remain alive for future generations.”
