Jhulelal

He was an Incarnation who descended to help Hindus in Sind, to preserve their culture and heritage against the oppressive onsalughts of the Muslim Kings.

The frightened people assembled on the banks of Sindhu, near Thatta and sought divine help. "Akashwani" assured them of the birth of Vishnoo in a human form as their protector. A son was born in the house of Ratanrai and mother Devki in Nasarpur on Friday evening, New Moon of Month Chaitra 1007 AD and was named Uderolal or Amarlal.

As a child, he played "Bal Leelas" and the news of his Divine powers and miracles soon spread throughout Sind. Badshah Murkhshah (the Muslim King at that time) sent his minister and emissaries to verify the truth of the miraculours powers of the child. They soon returned convinced of the mighty powers of Uderolal. However, the arrogant King wanted the child to be brought before him with the ulterior motive of being captured and killed.

Uderolal's meeting with the King proved to be a demonstration of his miraculous power. The King's soldiers attacked Him and, though He was alone, He outwitted them. The King fell on his feet and promised to stop harassing and torturing Hindus. Thus, Uderolal is the triumphant symbol of righteousness, fearlessness and divine benediction.

He moved throughout Sind and preached a message of courage. He often traveled on a palla-fish and is therefore portrayed sitting on a fish. In 1020 AD Uderolal left the earthly scene, disappearing into the waters of the same Sindhu from which he had emerged.

The Sindhis celebrate "Cheti-Chand" as the birth anniversary. The days falls on the New Moon of Month Chaitra (April every year).

Chetti Chand is the new moon or the first day of Chett-u which is the first month of the lunar- based Sindhi calendar year. It is the only distinctive auspicious day for Sindhis and is a sectional public holiday for Sindhis all over India. Chetti Chand is the first new moon after the solar spring equinox and falls some time in April. In 1997 it was on Tuesday, April 8.

Chetti Chand is celebrated by Sindhi Hindus not only as their New Year day but also as the birthday of SaeeN Uderolal, popularly known as Jhule Lal or simply Lal SaeeN. He was born on this day in 1007 A. D. to simple parents in Nasarpur, Sindh reportedly in response to the prayers of Hindus who were being forcibly converted to Islam by the then muslimr uler.

Even as a child, he performed many miracles. These reached the ear of the ruler who became his devotee and gave up his non-sectarian ways. Lal SaeeN is revered as a water god by the predominantly trading class Sindhi Hindus who then traveled abroad by boats. His vehicle (like Garuda for Shiva) was Sindhi Palo (fresh water fish in lower Indus river), which is also one of the most favourite dishes of our ancestors in Sindh.

Typical cultural celebrations in the evening include Bahrano - a kind of folk dance (with ghunghroos) where the dancers (joined by the audience) also sing Jhule Lal songs. The prayers include Akho which means lighting Diyas (earthenware lamps) and setting them afloat in rivers or water. The prasad (food offering) includes Dhodho (nan from jowar or buckwheat) and mint chutney. This may be followed by a pot luck vegetarian dinner.

Sa'ain Uderolal was also called "Jhoole Lal" (Jewel of the Cradle) as many a childish pranks were played from the cradle.

Jhule Lal was not some sort of religiously divisive figure. In fact, Sa'ain Udero Lal is revered in Sindh by Muslims and Hindus alike. As the story of Shah Inayat shows, all Sindhis, Muslims or Hindus, were subject to oppression by the rulers. Sadly, the Sindhi peasant continues to be symbol of misery.

Residents at the maza'ar (masoleum) of Sa'ain Jhoolay La'al are Sindhi fakirs, both Muslim and Hindu. Within the same structure is both a Mosque and a Mandir. Unlike Brindaban, or Vrindavan, as a Sanskirit speaker would say, Muslims and Hindus at Jhule Lal share the same entrance and exit, through Jhule Lal, i.e., this is not some sort of compromise to keep the communities apart but rather the prime area for meditation and veneration is a common one. Resident fakirs, as well as travelling yogis, come by and sing Sindhi Sufi kala'ams. And no, no one has ever heard of a religious riot! This is still Sindhi territory, not Punjab, Karachi or Bombay.

Jeko chavando jhule laal tehenjaa thindaa Beraa paar. Beraa par, sadaa bahaar

The first day of the Sindhi New Year or Chetia Chandu was on Chaytu 1, 1370 Sindhu Sambat (March 21, 1997). Please note that the Sindhu Sambat and the Vikrami Sambat are not the same. Sindhu Sambat started in honour of the martyrdom of the Sindhi Raja Rai Saharus II, who gave his life in a war defending the freedom of Sindh against the Persian King of Neemroz or Seestan in 626 AD.