Chaliho or Chaliho Sahib is a festival of the Sindhi Community. It is a forty day fast observed by the Sindhis in the months of July-August. They pray to Lord Jhulelal for forty days and after the fast is over they celebrate the occasion as Thanks Giving Day with lots of enthusiasm and merriment.
This festival has a fascinating setting that goes like this- Mirkshah Badshah, a Muslim invader of Sindh was a autocrat and a religious fanatic. He troubled the people of Thatta and wanted them to adopt Islam. The Hindus thus prayed to Varun Devta, the God of Water, by observing sacrament on the banks of the river for forty days. After forty days Varun Devta answered to their prayers and assured them to save them from the tyranny of Mirkshah Badshah. Varun Devta answer the prayers of the people in the form of Jhulelal. The Sindhis observe Chaliho Sahib as a thanksgiving with great devotion and faith towards God.
The fast of forty days begins with the tying of a revered thread by a priest. A sweet dish named Akho, made up of rice and sugar are offered during morning prayers. During the evening, devotees attend kirtan in the temples. After completion of forty days, on the final day Bahirana Sahib is worshiped and a procession is taken out with great pomp and show.
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