Chaliho Sahib Procession at Ulhasnagar

It is all part of Sindhi history that how the Mirk 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, As the 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. During this all the devotees strictly fallows the rules such as Not Cutting the Hairs, not to wear cloths washed with soap, not to drink milk, even the fried food is not taken during these forty days. At some places devotees also avoid wearing the footwear and remain naked footed for these days. On the forty first day Pooja of Bahrano Sahib is performed and with procession Bahrano sahib is taken to river bank, during the procession tradition Sindhi folk dance is done with devotional music and songs. At river bank the Jot is being Pravah in water and this marks the end of Chaliho Sahib. In the beginning Chaliho Sahib was restricted to Thatta Only.
Rohari was famous for the celebrations related to Cheti-chand beginning of news year and this day being celebrated as Sindhi New Year day, slowly the Chaliho Sahib Started their. Bulchandani family of Pirgoath were the real devotee of Jhulelal and Khatumal was used to go Rohari 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 Prigoath to Rohari, so it will be good if you start Chaliho Sahib at your own place." and in this way the spread of Chaliho Sahib Started. 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.

Start of Pooja for Chaliho Fast

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 [cadomnn], 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).

Completion of 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 after noon gathered in the temple. Brahman Swami performs special Pooja and devotees break the fast with sesa. After ward all the devotees with Matki [earthen pot] go to river bank with the Bahrana to pay thanks to Daryah Shah.

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