Chalio / Chaliho also called Chaliho Sahib is a forty-day-long festival celebrated by HinduSindhi community. [1][2][3]
Background
Mirkshah, a Muslim ruler of Sindh had ordered to convert all Hindu Sindhis to Islam or face persecution. Hindu representatives asked for forty days time from the ruler to give their reply.[1]
The frightened Hindus of Sindh prayed to their river God Varuna to come and help them. For forty days, they underwent penance. They neither shaved or wore new clothes, praying and fasting and singing songs in the praise of God Varuna. They beseeched him to save them from the hands of their persecutor.[1]
On the fortieth day, a voice was heard from Heaven: "Fear not, I shall save you from the wicked Mirkshah. I shall come down as a mortal and take birth in the womb of Mata Devki in the house of Ratanchand Lohano of Nasarpur". Ratanchand Lohano was a Hindu belonging to Lohana cast.
All the Sindhis were relieved and rejoiced at this akashvani. Later, Dariyalal (Jhulelal) was born as announced to the named couple, who taught a lesson to Mirkshah & his Muslim Followers and saved the Hindus from Mirkshah & his Muslim Followers
Festival
The 40-day-long festival is observed every year in months of July to August, dates vary according to Hindu calendar.[1][2] This is a thanks-giving celebration in honor of Varuna Deva and Jhulelal for listening to their prayers.[1][2]
To keep this tradition alive, all HinduSindhi, even today, celebrate the event by keeping forty days of penance.
Avoiding non-vegetarian food, as well, onion & garlic
Avoiding consumption of white items like milk, curd, rice
No shaving or cutting of hairs for forty days
No use of soap & oil for forty days
Wearing simple clothes
No wearing leather shoes or leather belts
While some people fast only on the first and last day of Chalio, others fast for the first nine days or for 21 days.[2] Sindhi men & women dance in front of idol of Jhulelal in their temples to the tune of their folk music and bhajan, the devotional songs. Sindhis make a symbolic representation of their God Jhulelal in each and every household of theirs, which is known as Bahrana Sahib.
Baharana Sahib consists of Jyot, sugar candy, phota, fruits, clove and akho. Behind is a earthen pot with a coconut in it, covered with cloth, flowers, leaves and Idol of God Jhulelal.[4][3] A sweet dish named akho, made from rice and sugar is offered during morning prayers.[5] For forty days they worship it and offer prasad and sing aarti to Bahrana Sahib. On the 41st day Baharana Sahib is taken to nearby river or lake and immersed among singing and dancing of devotional songs,[2] marking the end of Chalio festival.
