Lord Jhulelal: An Analytical Study
by Thakkar Harish Gopalji | 2018 | 62,623 words
This thesis studies Lord Jhulelal, the most important deity revered by Sindhis in India and beyond. Traditional views hold Lord Jhulelal as an incarnation of Vedic Deity Varuna (the river God). Historically, Jhulelal is a binding force for the Sindhi community who had to leave Sindh during the partition of India in order to settle at distant places...
Part 2 - Cheti Chand and other celebrations based on faith and devotion
Lord Jhulelal still rules the hearts of Sindhis even after more than a thousand years. Their devotion and faith in their deity are unquestionable. ‘Durga Pooja’ of Bengal has some similarities and it is celebrated by people of all strata. Irrespective of the status of a person, it is considered as a festival of entire Bengal. In Odisha, Jagannath Rath Yatra or ‘Chariot Festival’ is also an event which is celebrated by over a million people. (Vemsani 2016:135). The Ganesh festival of Maharashtra and Navratri festival of Gujarat are some more celebrations of the entire society.
One finds certain similarity in Cheti Chand and other celebrations like ‘Durga Pooja’[1] and ‘Rath Yatra’.[2] However, as the population of the Sindhi community is spread all over the country, it is not possible to find a large gathering of Sindhi people in one state or geographical area. At the same time, every Sindhi, wherever he is on the day of 'Cheti Chand’ would not like to miss it and makes sure that he attends it.
There are some more examples where the deity or saint has so much impact on the people that even after hundreds of years or even a thousand years, they still dwell in the hearts of people. In Maharashtra, Sant Jnaneshvara and Sant Tukaram and their 'Palkhi' or 'Wari' are some more examples. The 'Wari' is an annual event in Maharashtra in the month of Ashadha. By this time rains have already arrived and the sowing of seeds in the fields is almost complete. This time is therefore somewhat free time for the peasants and farmers of the state, and their participation in 'Wari' is in large numbers. The 'Palkhis' of the two saints start from Alandi (near Pune) that of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Dehu (also near Pune) that of Sant Tukaram, and they meet on the outskirts of Pune, rest in Pune for two days and after that proceed to Pandharpur which is situated on the banks of Chandrabhaga river. This place is around Two Hundred and Fifteen km from Pune and the entire distance is covered by walking by the devotees who accompany the 'Palkhi'. There is no bar of caste, creed or social status to participate in the Wari. The meaning of 'Wari' could be simply stated as an annual pilgrimage by walking with the Palkhis of two saints at a fixed time. Though the presence of peasants and farmers is in large numbers, there are participants in the 'Wari' who are from urban areas, educated class and professionals. Even the younger generation is seen walking the distance, though not the entire stretches, in small portions like that of fifteen or twenty km, which is quite remarkable.
It is a spectacular sight to watch when the two Palkhis meet on the outskirts of Pune or when the Palkhis are passing through 'Dive Ghat' near Pune. The saffron and white colours seem to have come together and merged with each other. It is like an ocean of two colours blended with each other as the devotees generally wear white dhoti and kurta and carry saffron colour flags in their hands. The saffron colour of the flag represents the 'Tyaga' or renouncement, whereas the white colour represents purity, peace and simplicity. It is indeed true that the participants walking the pilgrimage have renounced their worldly desires and have also adopted the path of purity, peace and simplicity during this journey. They are called ‘Waarkaris’ and they take a lifelong oath to abstain from vices.
What it is that inspires so many people in such a large number to join the pilgrimage, forget about the day to day hassles and walk the path chanting the name of 'Lord Vitthal or Vithoba'? The answer is, it is their faith and devotion. These are their driving forces and they provide a fountain of energy for them to complete this task which is not so easy unless you have that strong faith and devotion coupled with a strong will to do so. It is not a difficult task for them to walk about fifteen to twenty km every day. Rather in Wari, every day is a celebration in the praise of their favourite deity Vitthal and the two saints who have shown them this path of spiritualism.
With the examples narrated above, it can be said that the faith and devotion are paramount features in the life of Indians. It is the same faith and devotion that the Sindhi community has for their Ishtadeva Lord Jhulelal.