Jhulelal (Hinduism) - Revision history

CleanupBot: Robot: Replacing encoded entity with character

2026-03-22T06:37:08Z

Robot: Replacing encoded entity with character

Show changes

TammieNeedham at 23:29, 14 March 2026

2026-03-14T23:29:19Z

Show changes

ImportMaster: robot: Create/update articles in Category:Hindu gods.

2023-01-05T06:58:20Z

robot: Create/update articles in Category:Hindu gods.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 5 January 2023
Line 2:		Line 2:
	{{about\|the Hindu deity\|the Muslim mystic\|Jhulelal (Sufism)}}		{{about\|the Hindu deity\|the Muslim mystic\|Jhulelal (Sufism)}}
	{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->		{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
	\| type = Hindu		\| type = Hindu
	\| image = Jhulelal ~~hindu deity~~.jpg		\| image = Jhulelal.jpg
	\| caption =Jhulelal sitting on a lotus flower in the middle of a river and surrounded by a couple of silver fish (palla fish)		\| caption = Jhulelal, incarnation of Varuna, sitting on a lotus flower in the middle of a river and surrounded by a couple of silver fish (palla fish)
	\| name = Bhagwan Jhulelal		\| name = Bhagwan Jhulelal
	\| affiliation = [[Varuna]] [[Deva (Hinduism)\|Deva]]		\| affiliation = [[Varuna]] [[Deva (Hinduism)\|Deva]]
	\| mantra = Om Jhulelalaya Namah		\| mantra = Om Jhulelalaya Namah
	\| weapon = Sword		\| weapon = Sword
	\| siblings = Arhastra		\| siblings = Arhastra
	\| consort =		\| consort =
	\| abode = Sea & River [[Indus]]		\| abode = Sea & River [[Indus]]
	\| mount = Hilsa & Horse		\| mount = Hilsa & Horse
	}}		}}
	{{Hinduism}}		{{Hinduism}}
Line 18:		Line 18:
	A folkloric hero among the sect of Daryapanthi Sindhis, '''Jhulelal''' is the most revered deity of [[Sindhi Hindus]] in modern South Asia.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|The chant '''Aayo Laal Sabhainjo Jhulelal''' is considered the "clarion call" of Sindhi Hindus.<ref name=lari>{{cite book\|last1=Lari\|first1=Suhail Zaheer\|title=A history of Sindh\|date=1994\|publisher=Oxford\|isbn=0195775015\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfFtAAAAMAAJ&q=sukkur\|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref>}}		A folkloric hero among the sect of Daryapanthi Sindhis, '''Jhulelal''' is the most revered deity of [[Sindhi Hindus]] in modern South Asia.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|The chant '''Aayo Laal Sabhainjo Jhulelal''' is considered the "clarion call" of Sindhi Hindus.<ref name=lari>{{cite book\|last1=Lari\|first1=Suhail Zaheer\|title=A history of Sindh\|date=1994\|publisher=Oxford\|isbn=0195775015\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfFtAAAAMAAJ&q=sukkur\|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref>}}

	Legends ~~roughly agree~~ that Jhulelal was born during the rule of one Islamic despot "Mirkshah", who had issued an ultimatum to local Hindus for converting to Islam.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Westland">{{cite book\|last1=Bhavnani\|first1=Nandita\|title=The Making of Exile: Sindhi Sindhis and the Partition of India\|date=2014\|publisher=Westland\|isbn=9789384030339}}</ref> The ~~child was the~~ reincarnation of a Hindu deity ~~and shew~~ supernatural powers since childhood: he ~~went on to preach~~ about how the Hindus as well as Muslims believed in the same God and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Ultimately, Jhulelal convinced the King to spare the Hindus and even gained devotees among the Muslims.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		Legends converge upon that Jhulelal was born during the rule of one Islamic despot "Mirkshah", who had issued an ultimatum to local Hindus for converting to Islam.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Westland">{{cite book\|last1=Bhavnani\|first1=Nandita\|title=The Making of Exile: Sindhi Sindhis and the Partition of India\|date=2014\|publisher=Westland\|isbn=9789384030339}}</ref> The reincarnation of a Hindu deity, Jhulelal exhibited supernatural powers since childhood; he preached about how the Hindus as well as Muslims believed in the same [[God]], and emphasized that the [[Quran\|Koran]] forbade forced conversion.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Ultimately, Jhulelal convinced the King to spare the Hindus and even gained devotees among the Muslims.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

	Devotion towards Jhulelal was not uniform in pre-partition Sindh; many Sindhi Hindus had never heard of him and he was one of the many deities belonging to the Sindhi pantheon.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> However, in 1950 an emigrant section of Sindhi Hindus, led by Ram Panjwani in Bombay, decided to transform Jhulelal into the ''[[Iṣṭa-devatā (Hinduism)\|iṣṭa-devatā]]'' of all Sindhi Hindus and unify the diaspora''.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />'' Devotional songs were penned, pamphlets printed, statues installed, festivals celebrated, and cultural events organized in thousands for the cause of Jhulelal.''<ref name="falzon159" />'' Over the course of decades, Jhulelal has successfully become the representative ~~Hindu~~ God of Sindhis ~~within the folds of Hinduism~~.''<ref name="falzon159" />''		Devotion towards Jhulelal was not uniform in pre-partition Sindh; many Sindhi Hindus had never heard of him and he was one of the many deities belonging to the Sindhi cultural pantheon.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> However, in 1950 an emigrant section of Sindhi Hindus, led by Ram Panjwani in Bombay, decided to transform Jhulelal into the ''[[Iṣṭa-devatā (Hinduism)\|iṣṭa-devatā]]'' of all Sindhi Hindus and unify the diaspora''.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />'' Devotional songs were penned, pamphlets printed, statues installed, festivals celebrated, and cultural events organized in thousands for the cause of Jhulelal.''<ref name="falzon159" />'' Over the course of decades, Jhulelal has successfully become the representative God of Hindu Sindhis.''<ref name="falzon159" />''

	Iconography of Jhulelal varies widely.''<ref name="falzon159" />''<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1227241\|title=Jhulay Lal's full circle\|date=20 December 2015}}</ref> Sindhi Hindus worship Jhulelal at the [[Shrine at Odero Lal]] in [[Pakistan]]'s [[Sindh]] province, which is jointly used by Hindus, and Sindhi Muslims who revere the shrine as the tomb of Sheikh Tahir. A second shrine named ''Jhulelal Tirthdham'' exists in [[India]] at [[Narayan Sarovar]], [[Kutch]], [[Gujarat]].<ref name="Tirthdham1" />		Iconography of Jhulelal varies widely.''<ref name="falzon159" />''<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1227241\|title=Jhulay Lal's full circle\|date=20 December 2015}}</ref> Sindhi Hindus worship Jhulelal at the [[Shrine at Odero Lal]] in [[Pakistan]]'s [[Sindh]] province, which is jointly used by Hindus, and Sindhi Muslims who revere the shrine as the tomb of Sheikh Tahir. A second shrine named ''Jhulelal Tirthdham'' exists in [[India]] at [[Narayan Sarovar]], [[Kutch]], [[Gujarat]].<ref name="Tirthdham1" />
Line 31:		Line 31:
	In 1007, the day of Cheti Chand in Chaitra, one Uderolal was born to a local Hindu family.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> As he began to be worshiped, Mirkshah sent his ministers to investigate who witnessed various strange events.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The child metamorphosed into a young warrior, then into an old man, before back to child; at other times, he swam upstream on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|Jhulelal is also believed by Sindhis to have performed other miracles, such as entering the Indus river at Nasirpur and coming up at [[Bukkur]], at the northernmost extent of Sindh.<ref name="lari" />}} Mirkshah grew afraid but his advisors coerced him to hold stead.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		In 1007, the day of Cheti Chand in Chaitra, one Uderolal was born to a local Hindu family.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> As he began to be worshiped, Mirkshah sent his ministers to investigate who witnessed various strange events.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The child metamorphosed into a young warrior, then into an old man, before back to child; at other times, he swam upstream on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|Jhulelal is also believed by Sindhis to have performed other miracles, such as entering the Indus river at Nasirpur and coming up at [[Bukkur]], at the northernmost extent of Sindh.<ref name="lari" />}} Mirkshah grew afraid but his advisors coerced him to hold stead.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

	Soon, he went to meet Uderolal and was impressed by his understanding of Islam — Uderolal preached about how the Hindus and Muslims believed in the same God, and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="~~falzon159~~" /><ref name="~~Ramey2008p8~~" /> However, his advisors suggested that his teachings be disregarded and Uderolal imprisoned.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> When the guards proceeded to arrest him, an inferno and a flood engulfed his palaces.<ref name="~~falzon159~~" /><ref name="~~Ramey2008p8~~" /> Mirkshah relented, abolished his decree, and asked for forgiveness from Uderolal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />~~[[File:Jhulelal.jpg\|thumb]]~~		Soon, he went to meet Uderolal and was impressed by his understanding of Islam — Uderolal preached about how the Hindus and Muslims believed in the same God, and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref name="falzon159" /> However, his advisors suggested that his teachings be disregarded and Uderolal imprisoned.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> When the guards proceeded to arrest him, an inferno and a flood engulfed his palaces.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref name="falzon159" /> Mirkshah relented, abolished his decree, and asked for forgiveness from Uderolal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

	As the palace was saved and harmony restored, Jhulelal gained devotees even among the Muslims (including Mirkshah).<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Jhulelal requested that a flame be burnt for eternity, in the memory of his deeds, before leaving his earthly avatar.<ref name="falzon159" />		As the palace was saved and harmony restored, Jhulelal gained devotees even among the Muslims (including Mirkshah).<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Jhulelal requested that a flame be burnt for eternity, in the memory of his deeds, before leaving his earthly avatar.<ref name="falzon159" />
Line 50:		Line 50:

	===Cheti Chand===		===Cheti Chand===
	The [[Cheti Chand]] festival in the month of [[Chaitra]], marks the arrival of spring and harvest, as well as the mythical birth of Uderolal in the year 1007.<ref name=falzon159/><ref name="Ramey2008p8">{{Citation\|last=Ramey\|first=Steven W.\|title=Presenting Sacred Figures\|date=2008\|url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230616226_5\|work=Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond\|pages=105–124\|editor-last=Ramey\|editor-first=Steven W.\|place=New York\|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US\|doi=10.1057/9780230616226_5\|language=en\|isbn=978-0-230-61622-6\|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref> Uderolal morphed into a warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve the same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal,<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/> became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus, who according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday.<ref name=falzon159>{{cite book\|author=Mark-Anthony Falzon\|title=Cosmopolitan Connections: The Sindhi Diaspora, 1860–2000\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ljbS-I5Y8WMC&pg=PA59\|year=2004\|publisher=BRILL\|isbn=90-04-14008-5\|pages=58–60}}</ref~~><ref name="Ramey2008p8"/~~>		The [[Cheti Chand]] festival in the month of [[Chaitra]], marks the arrival of spring and harvest, as well as the mythical birth of Uderolal in the year 1007.<ref name=falzon159/><ref name="Ramey2008p8">{{Citation\|last=Ramey\|first=Steven W.\|title=Presenting Sacred Figures\|date=2008\|url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230616226_5\|work=Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond\|pages=105–124\|editor-last=Ramey\|editor-first=Steven W.\|place=New York\|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US\|doi=10.1057/9780230616226_5\|language=en\|isbn=978-0-230-61622-6\|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref> Uderolal morphed into a warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve the same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal,<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/> became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus, who according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday.<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/><ref name=falzon159>{{cite book\|author=Mark-Anthony Falzon\|title=Cosmopolitan Connections: The Sindhi Diaspora, 1860–2000\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ljbS-I5Y8WMC&pg=PA59\|year=2004\|publisher=BRILL\|isbn=90-04-14008-5\|pages=58–60}}</ref>

	===Chaliya saheb===		===Chaliya saheb===
Line 66:		Line 66:

	===Jhulelal Tirthdham===		===Jhulelal Tirthdham===
	[[Sindhi Hindus]] in India built a religious shrine and cultural complex in [[Kutch]], near the border of [[Sindh Province]].<ref name=Tirthdham1>{{cite web\|title=Coming up in Gujarat, Sindhis' own sacred shrine - Times of India\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coming-up-in-gujarat-sindhis-own-sacred-shrine/articleshow/69287901.cms\|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref~~><ref name=Tirthdham/~~> The 100-acre complex includes a 100-foot statue of Lord Jhulelal, a museum, meditation centre, an auditorium, and a cultural and arts-and-crafts centre with 100 accommodations.<ref name=~~Tirthdham1~~/><ref name=~~Tirthdham~~/> Aiming to be the "a centre for global Sindhi identity",<ref name=Tirthdham1/> the project costs an estimated ₹100 crore and was built on the donations from wealthy Indian Sindhis.<ref name=~~Tirthdham1~~/><ref name=~~Tirthdham~~/> [[Harish Fabiani]], one of the key promoters of the project, stated regarding the cultural complex, "The younger generation is aware they are Sindhis, but they do not know their language. We must learn our language and culture. We should have a place we can call our own."<ref name=Tirthdham>{{cite web\|last1= Shradha Shahani\|title=Sindhis are building a Jhulelal Tirthdham—their own holy city\|date=5 June 2019\|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/sindhis-are-building-a-jhulelal-tirthdham-their-own-holy-city/\|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>		[[Sindhi Hindus]] in India built a religious shrine and cultural complex in [[Kutch]], near the border of [[Sindh Province]].<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1>{{cite web\|title=Coming up in Gujarat, Sindhis' own sacred shrine - Times of India\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coming-up-in-gujarat-sindhis-own-sacred-shrine/articleshow/69287901.cms\|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> The 100-acre complex includes a 100-foot statue of Lord Jhulelal, a museum, meditation centre, an auditorium, and a cultural and arts-and-crafts centre with 100 accommodations.<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1/> Aiming to be the "a centre for global Sindhi identity",<ref name=Tirthdham1/> the project costs an estimated ₹100 crore and was built on the donations from wealthy Indian Sindhis.<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1/> [[Harish Fabiani]], one of the key promoters of the project, stated regarding the cultural complex, "The younger generation is aware they are Sindhis, but they do not know their language. We must learn our language and culture. We should have a place we can call our own."<ref name=Tirthdham>{{cite web\|last1= Shradha Shahani\|title=Sindhis are building a Jhulelal Tirthdham—their own holy city\|date=5 June 2019\|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/sindhis-are-building-a-jhulelal-tirthdham-their-own-holy-city/\|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>

	[[File:Jhule Lal.jpg\|thumb\|Picture of Jhule Lal in Hindu temple]]		[[File:Jhule Lal.jpg\|thumb\|Picture of Jhule Lal in Hindu temple]]

CleanupBot: clean up

2022-12-11T05:39:46Z

clean up

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:09, 11 December 2022
Line 31:		Line 31:
	In 1007, the day of Cheti Chand in Chaitra, one Uderolal was born to a local Hindu family.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> As he began to be worshiped, Mirkshah sent his ministers to investigate who witnessed various strange events.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The child metamorphosed into a young warrior, then into an old man, before back to child; at other times, he swam upstream on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|Jhulelal is also believed by Sindhis to have performed other miracles, such as entering the Indus river at Nasirpur and coming up at [[Bukkur]], at the northernmost extent of Sindh.<ref name="lari" />}} Mirkshah grew afraid but his advisors coerced him to hold stead.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		In 1007, the day of Cheti Chand in Chaitra, one Uderolal was born to a local Hindu family.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> As he began to be worshiped, Mirkshah sent his ministers to investigate who witnessed various strange events.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The child metamorphosed into a young warrior, then into an old man, before back to child; at other times, he swam upstream on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|Jhulelal is also believed by Sindhis to have performed other miracles, such as entering the Indus river at Nasirpur and coming up at [[Bukkur]], at the northernmost extent of Sindh.<ref name="lari" />}} Mirkshah grew afraid but his advisors coerced him to hold stead.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

	Soon, he went to meet Uderolal and was impressed by his understanding of Islam — Uderolal preached about how the Hindus and Muslims believed in the same God, and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="~~Ramey2008p8~~" /><ref name="~~falzon159~~" /> However, his advisors suggested that his teachings be disregarded and Uderolal imprisoned.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> When the guards proceeded to arrest him, an inferno and a flood engulfed his palaces.<ref name="~~Ramey2008p8~~" /><ref name="~~falzon159~~" /> Mirkshah relented, abolished his decree, and asked for forgiveness from Uderolal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />[[File:Jhulelal.jpg\|thumb]]		Soon, he went to meet Uderolal and was impressed by his understanding of Islam — Uderolal preached about how the Hindus and Muslims believed in the same God, and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> However, his advisors suggested that his teachings be disregarded and Uderolal imprisoned.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> When the guards proceeded to arrest him, an inferno and a flood engulfed his palaces.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Mirkshah relented, abolished his decree, and asked for forgiveness from Uderolal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />[[File:Jhulelal.jpg\|thumb]]

	As the palace was saved and harmony restored, Jhulelal gained devotees even among the Muslims (including Mirkshah).<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Jhulelal requested that a flame be burnt for eternity, in the memory of his deeds, before leaving his earthly avatar.<ref name="falzon159" />		As the palace was saved and harmony restored, Jhulelal gained devotees even among the Muslims (including Mirkshah).<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Jhulelal requested that a flame be burnt for eternity, in the memory of his deeds, before leaving his earthly avatar.<ref name="falzon159" />
Line 50:		Line 50:

	===Cheti Chand===		===Cheti Chand===
	The [[Cheti Chand]] festival in the month of [[Chaitra]], marks the arrival of spring and harvest, as well as the mythical birth of Uderolal in the year 1007.<ref name=falzon159/><ref name="Ramey2008p8">{{Citation\|last=Ramey\|first=Steven W.\|title=Presenting Sacred Figures\|date=2008\|url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230616226_5\|work=Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond\|pages=105–124\|editor-last=Ramey\|editor-first=Steven W.\|place=New York\|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US\|doi=10.1057/9780230616226_5\|language=en\|isbn=978-0-230-61622-6\|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref> Uderolal morphed into a warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve the same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal,<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/> became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus, who according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday.~~<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/>~~<ref name=falzon159>{{cite book\|author=Mark-Anthony Falzon\|title=Cosmopolitan Connections: The Sindhi Diaspora, 1860–2000\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ljbS-I5Y8WMC&pg=PA59\|year=2004\|publisher=BRILL\|isbn=90-04-14008-5\|pages=58–60}}</ref>		The [[Cheti Chand]] festival in the month of [[Chaitra]], marks the arrival of spring and harvest, as well as the mythical birth of Uderolal in the year 1007.<ref name=falzon159/><ref name="Ramey2008p8">{{Citation\|last=Ramey\|first=Steven W.\|title=Presenting Sacred Figures\|date=2008\|url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230616226_5\|work=Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond\|pages=105–124\|editor-last=Ramey\|editor-first=Steven W.\|place=New York\|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US\|doi=10.1057/9780230616226_5\|language=en\|isbn=978-0-230-61622-6\|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref> Uderolal morphed into a warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve the same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal,<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/> became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus, who according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday.<ref name=falzon159>{{cite book\|author=Mark-Anthony Falzon\|title=Cosmopolitan Connections: The Sindhi Diaspora, 1860–2000\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ljbS-I5Y8WMC&pg=PA59\|year=2004\|publisher=BRILL\|isbn=90-04-14008-5\|pages=58–60}}</ref><ref name="Ramey2008p8"/>

	===Chaliya saheb===		===Chaliya saheb===
Line 66:		Line 66:

	===Jhulelal Tirthdham===		===Jhulelal Tirthdham===
	[[Sindhi Hindus]] in India built a religious shrine and cultural complex in [[Kutch]], near the border of [[Sindh Province]].~~<ref name=Tirthdham/>~~<ref name=Tirthdham1>{{cite web\|title=Coming up in Gujarat, Sindhis' own sacred shrine - Times of India\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coming-up-in-gujarat-sindhis-own-sacred-shrine/articleshow/69287901.cms\|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> The 100-acre complex includes a 100-foot statue of Lord Jhulelal, a museum, meditation centre, an auditorium, and a cultural and arts-and-crafts centre with 100 accommodations.<ref name=~~Tirthdham~~/><ref name=~~Tirthdham1~~/> Aiming to be the "a centre for global Sindhi identity",<ref name=Tirthdham1/> the project costs an estimated ₹100 crore and was built on the donations from wealthy Indian Sindhis.<ref name=~~Tirthdham~~/><ref name=~~Tirthdham1~~/> [[Harish Fabiani]], one of the key promoters of the project, stated regarding the cultural complex, "The younger generation is aware they are Sindhis, but they do not know their language. We must learn our language and culture. We should have a place we can call our own."<ref name=Tirthdham>{{cite web\|last1= Shradha Shahani\|title=Sindhis are building a Jhulelal Tirthdham—their own holy city\|date=5 June 2019\|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/sindhis-are-building-a-jhulelal-tirthdham-their-own-holy-city/\|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>		[[Sindhi Hindus]] in India built a religious shrine and cultural complex in [[Kutch]], near the border of [[Sindh Province]].<ref name=Tirthdham1>{{cite web\|title=Coming up in Gujarat, Sindhis' own sacred shrine - Times of India\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coming-up-in-gujarat-sindhis-own-sacred-shrine/articleshow/69287901.cms\|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref><ref name=Tirthdham/> The 100-acre complex includes a 100-foot statue of Lord Jhulelal, a museum, meditation centre, an auditorium, and a cultural and arts-and-crafts centre with 100 accommodations.<ref name=Tirthdham1/><ref name=Tirthdham/> Aiming to be the "a centre for global Sindhi identity",<ref name=Tirthdham1/> the project costs an estimated ₹100 crore and was built on the donations from wealthy Indian Sindhis.<ref name=Tirthdham1/><ref name=Tirthdham/> [[Harish Fabiani]], one of the key promoters of the project, stated regarding the cultural complex, "The younger generation is aware they are Sindhis, but they do not know their language. We must learn our language and culture. We should have a place we can call our own."<ref name=Tirthdham>{{cite web\|last1= Shradha Shahani\|title=Sindhis are building a Jhulelal Tirthdham—their own holy city\|date=5 June 2019\|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/sindhis-are-building-a-jhulelal-tirthdham-their-own-holy-city/\|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>

	[[File:Jhule Lal.jpg\|thumb\|Picture of Jhule Lal in Hindu temple]]		[[File:Jhule Lal.jpg\|thumb\|Picture of Jhule Lal in Hindu temple]]

->Qwerfjkl (bot): clean up; Checkwiki error fix #101: Ordinal number found inside ^tags.

2021-11-09T18:47:18Z

clean up; Checkwiki error fix #101: Ordinal number found inside <sup> tags.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:17, 10 November 2021
Line 16:		Line 16:
	{{Hinduism}}		{{Hinduism}}

	A folkloric hero among the sect of Daryapanthi Sindhis, '''Jhulelal''' ~~has been manufactured to be~~ the most revered deity of [[Sindhi Hindus]] in ~~postcolonial~~ South Asia.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|The chant '''Aayo Laal Sabhainjo Jhulelal''' is considered the "clarion call" of Sindhi Hindus.<ref name=lari>{{cite book\|last1=Lari\|first1=Suhail Zaheer\|title=A history of Sindh\|date=1994\|publisher=Oxford\|isbn=0195775015\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfFtAAAAMAAJ&q=sukkur\|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref>}}		A folkloric hero among the sect of Daryapanthi Sindhis, '''Jhulelal''' is the most revered deity of [[Sindhi Hindus]] in modern South Asia.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|The chant '''Aayo Laal Sabhainjo Jhulelal''' is considered the "clarion call" of Sindhi Hindus.<ref name=lari>{{cite book\|last1=Lari\|first1=Suhail Zaheer\|title=A history of Sindh\|date=1994\|publisher=Oxford\|isbn=0195775015\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfFtAAAAMAAJ&q=sukkur\|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref>}}

	Legends roughly agree that Jhulelal was born during the rule of one Islamic despot "Mirkshah", who had issued an ultimatum to local Hindus for converting to Islam.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Westland">{{cite book\|last1=Bhavnani\|first1=Nandita\|title=The Making of Exile: Sindhi Sindhis and the Partition of India\|date=2014\|publisher=Westland\|isbn=9789384030339}}</ref> The child was the reincarnation of a Hindu deity and shew supernatural powers since childhood: he went on to preach about how the Hindus as well as Muslims believed in the same God and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Ultimately, Jhulelal convinced the King to spare the Hindus and even gained devotees among the Muslims.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		Legends roughly agree that Jhulelal was born during the rule of one Islamic despot "Mirkshah", who had issued an ultimatum to local Hindus for converting to Islam.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Westland">{{cite book\|last1=Bhavnani\|first1=Nandita\|title=The Making of Exile: Sindhi Sindhis and the Partition of India\|date=2014\|publisher=Westland\|isbn=9789384030339}}</ref> The child was the reincarnation of a Hindu deity and shew supernatural powers since childhood: he went on to preach about how the Hindus as well as Muslims believed in the same God and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Ultimately, Jhulelal convinced the King to spare the Hindus and even gained devotees among the Muslims.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />
Line 22:		Line 22:
	Devotion towards Jhulelal was not uniform in pre-partition Sindh; many Sindhi Hindus had never heard of him and he was one of the many deities belonging to the Sindhi pantheon.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> However, in 1950 an emigrant section of Sindhi Hindus, led by Ram Panjwani in Bombay, decided to transform Jhulelal into the ''[[Iṣṭa-devatā (Hinduism)\|iṣṭa-devatā]]'' of all Sindhi Hindus and unify the diaspora''.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />'' Devotional songs were penned, pamphlets printed, statues installed, festivals celebrated, and cultural events organized in thousands for the cause of Jhulelal.''<ref name="falzon159" />'' Over the course of decades, Jhulelal has successfully become the representative Hindu God of Sindhis within the folds of Hinduism.''<ref name="falzon159" />''		Devotion towards Jhulelal was not uniform in pre-partition Sindh; many Sindhi Hindus had never heard of him and he was one of the many deities belonging to the Sindhi pantheon.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> However, in 1950 an emigrant section of Sindhi Hindus, led by Ram Panjwani in Bombay, decided to transform Jhulelal into the ''[[Iṣṭa-devatā (Hinduism)\|iṣṭa-devatā]]'' of all Sindhi Hindus and unify the diaspora''.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />'' Devotional songs were penned, pamphlets printed, statues installed, festivals celebrated, and cultural events organized in thousands for the cause of Jhulelal.''<ref name="falzon159" />'' Over the course of decades, Jhulelal has successfully become the representative Hindu God of Sindhis within the folds of Hinduism.''<ref name="falzon159" />''

	Iconography of Jhulelal varies widely.''<ref name="falzon159" />''<ref>https://www.dawn.com/news/1227241</ref> Sindhi Hindus worship Jhulelal at the [[Shrine at Odero Lal]] in [[Pakistan]]'s [[Sindh]] province, which is jointly used by Hindus, and Sindhi Muslims who revere the shrine as the tomb of Sheikh Tahir. A second shrine named ''Jhulelal Tirthdham'' exists in [[India]] at [[Narayan Sarovar]], [[Kutch]], [[Gujarat]].<ref name="Tirthdham1" />		Iconography of Jhulelal varies widely.''<ref name="falzon159" />''<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1227241\|title=Jhulay Lal's full circle\|date=20 December 2015}}</ref> Sindhi Hindus worship Jhulelal at the [[Shrine at Odero Lal]] in [[Pakistan]]'s [[Sindh]] province, which is jointly used by Hindus, and Sindhi Muslims who revere the shrine as the tomb of Sheikh Tahir. A second shrine named ''Jhulelal Tirthdham'' exists in [[India]] at [[Narayan Sarovar]], [[Kutch]], [[Gujarat]].<ref name="Tirthdham1" />

	==Folklore==		==Folklore==
Line 29:		Line 29:
	After a long period of harmonious existence between the Hindus and Muslims, one Mirkshah of Thatta ascended the throne.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Instigated by his advisors, he ordered that all local Hindus convert to Islam or be put to death.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The Hindus prayed to Indus, who promised that Varuna will take the form of a child and avert the impending catastrophe.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		After a long period of harmonious existence between the Hindus and Muslims, one Mirkshah of Thatta ascended the throne.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Instigated by his advisors, he ordered that all local Hindus convert to Islam or be put to death.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The Hindus prayed to Indus, who promised that Varuna will take the form of a child and avert the impending catastrophe.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

	In 1007, the day of Cheti Chand in Chaitra, one Uderolal was born to a local Hindu family.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> As he began to be worshiped, Mirkshah sent his ministers to investigate who witnessed various strange events.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The child metamorphosed into a young warrior, then into an old man, before back to child; at other times, he swam upstream on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|Jhulelal is also believed by Sindhis to have performed other miracles, such as entering the Indus river at Nasirpur and coming up at [[Bukkur]], at the northernmost extent of Sindh.<ref name="lari" />}} Mirkshah grew afraid but his advisors coerced him to hold stead.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		In 1007, the day of Cheti Chand in Chaitra, one Uderolal was born to a local Hindu family.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> As he began to be worshiped, Mirkshah sent his ministers to investigate who witnessed various strange events.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The child metamorphosed into a young warrior, then into an old man, before back to child; at other times, he swam upstream on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn\|Jhulelal is also believed by Sindhis to have performed other miracles, such as entering the Indus river at Nasirpur and coming up at [[Bukkur]], at the northernmost extent of Sindh.<ref name="lari" />}} Mirkshah grew afraid but his advisors coerced him to hold stead.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

	Soon, he went to meet Uderolal and was impressed by his understanding of Islam — Uderolal preached about how the Hindus and Muslims believed in the same God, and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref name="falzon159" /> However, his advisors suggested that his teachings be disregarded and Uderolal imprisoned.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> When the guards proceeded to arrest him, an inferno and a flood engulfed his palaces.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref name="falzon159" /> Mirkshah relented, abolished his decree, and asked for forgiveness from Uderolal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />[[File:Jhulelal.jpg\|thumb]]		Soon, he went to meet Uderolal and was impressed by his understanding of Islam — Uderolal preached about how the Hindus and Muslims believed in the same God, and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref name="falzon159" /> However, his advisors suggested that his teachings be disregarded and Uderolal imprisoned.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> When the guards proceeded to arrest him, an inferno and a flood engulfed his palaces.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref name="falzon159" /> Mirkshah relented, abolished his decree, and asked for forgiveness from Uderolal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />[[File:Jhulelal.jpg\|thumb]]
Line 36:		Line 36:

	=== Variant readings ===		=== Variant readings ===
	The myth of Jhulelal is not seen in regional histories written prior to the ~~20<sup>th</sup>~~ century. While all Jhulelal legends broadly revolve around two themes — the valorization of Sindhi communal harmony and the intrinsic superiority of tolerant and devout Hindus over Muslims who weren't even able to interpret their own religious texts — the specifics vary widely and have even been a site of internal contestation among Sindhi Hindus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Moreover Sindhi Muslims have forged their own legends concerning Jhulelal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		The myth of Jhulelal is not seen in regional histories written prior to the 20th century. While all Jhulelal legends broadly revolve around two themes — the valorization of Sindhi communal harmony and the intrinsic superiority of tolerant and devout Hindus over Muslims who weren't even able to interpret their own religious texts — the specifics vary widely and have even been a site of internal contestation among Sindhi Hindus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Moreover Sindhi Muslims have forged their own legends concerning Jhulelal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

	==== Hindus ====		==== Hindus ====
	The birth-name varies from Uderolal to Amarlal to Daryasahib; the event of his first appearance is either noted to be from a human birth or from the Indus, riding on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> He is variously noted as an ''avatara'' of Vishnu or a manifestation of Varuna; one conflates the two to deem him as the Varuna avatara of Vishnu.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> How he came to be known as Jhulelal attracts another set of fascinating claims.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The transpirings that arose out of his encounter with Mirkshah varies — some claim that the King had submitted long ago in the face of his supernatural powers while others claim that Jhule Lal led a secretly gathered force to victory in an old-school war.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		The birth-name varies from Uderolal to Amarlal to Daryasahib; the event of his first appearance is either noted to be from a human birth or from the Indus, riding on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> He is variously noted as an ''avatara'' of Vishnu or a manifestation of Varuna; one conflates the two to deem him as the Varuna avatara of Vishnu.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> How he came to be known as Jhulelal attracts another set of fascinating claims.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The transpirings that arose out of his encounter with Mirkshah varies — some claim that the King had submitted long ago in the face of his supernatural powers while others claim that Jhule Lal led a secretly gathered force to victory in an old-school war.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

	The presentation of the narrative differs too.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Many renderings choose to emphasize on the cruelty of Muslim rulers against Brahmins (and Hindus, by extension) — a column in [[The Indian Express\|Indian Express]] had projected contemporary Hindu Nationalism onto the narrative with Jhule Lal "fill[ing] the shrinking Hindus with courage" and "put[ting] holy terror into the persecuting Muslims" while some Sindhis have transplanted Jhulelal into the reign of [[Aurangzeb]], a ruler notoriously renowned in public memory for being the worst persecutor of Hindus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Some choose to emphasize on the Hinduness of Jhulelal drawing tenuous connections with Vedic corpus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />		The presentation of the narrative differs too.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Many renderings choose to emphasize on the cruelty of Muslim rulers against Brahmins (and Hindus, by extension) — a column in [[The Indian Express\|Indian Express]] had projected contemporary Hindu Nationalism onto the narrative with Jhule Lal "fill[ing] the shrinking Hindus with courage" and "put[ting] holy terror into the persecuting Muslims" while some Sindhis have transplanted Jhulelal into the reign of [[Aurangzeb]], a ruler notoriously renowned in public memory for being the worst persecutor of Hindus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Some choose to emphasize on the Hinduness of Jhulelal drawing tenuous connections with Vedic corpus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />
Line 50:		Line 50:

	===Cheti Chand===		===Cheti Chand===
	The [[Cheti Chand]] festival in the month of [[Chaitra]], marks the arrival of spring and harvest, as well as the mythical birth of Uderolal in the year 1007.<ref name=falzon159/><ref name="Ramey2008p8">{{Citation\|last=Ramey\|first=Steven W.\|title=Presenting Sacred Figures\|date=2008\|url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230616226_5\|work=Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond\|pages=105–124\|editor-last=Ramey\|editor-first=Steven W.\|place=New York\|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US\|language=en\|isbn=978-0-230-61622-6\|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref> Uderolal morphed into a warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve the same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal,<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/> became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus, who according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday.<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/><ref name=falzon159>{{cite book\|author=Mark-Anthony Falzon\|title=Cosmopolitan Connections: The Sindhi Diaspora, 1860–2000\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ljbS-I5Y8WMC&pg=PA59\|year=2004\|publisher=BRILL\|isbn=90-04-14008-5\|pages=58–60}}</ref>		The [[Cheti Chand]] festival in the month of [[Chaitra]], marks the arrival of spring and harvest, as well as the mythical birth of Uderolal in the year 1007.<ref name=falzon159/><ref name="Ramey2008p8">{{Citation\|last=Ramey\|first=Steven W.\|title=Presenting Sacred Figures\|date=2008\|url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230616226_5\|work=Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond\|pages=105–124\|editor-last=Ramey\|editor-first=Steven W.\|place=New York\|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US\|doi=10.1057/9780230616226_5\|language=en\|isbn=978-0-230-61622-6\|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref> Uderolal morphed into a warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve the same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal,<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/> became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus, who according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday.<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/><ref name=falzon159>{{cite book\|author=Mark-Anthony Falzon\|title=Cosmopolitan Connections: The Sindhi Diaspora, 1860–2000\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ljbS-I5Y8WMC&pg=PA59\|year=2004\|publisher=BRILL\|isbn=90-04-14008-5\|pages=58–60}}</ref>

	===Chaliya saheb===		===Chaliya saheb===
Line 66:		Line 66:

	===Jhulelal Tirthdham===		===Jhulelal Tirthdham===
	[[Sindhi Hindus]] in India built a religious shrine and cultural complex in [[Kutch]], near the border of [[Sindh Province]].<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1>{{cite web\|title=Coming up in Gujarat, Sindhis' own sacred shrine - Times of India\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coming-up-in-gujarat-sindhis-own-sacred-shrine/articleshow/69287901.cms\|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> The 100-acre complex includes a 100-foot statue of Lord Jhulelal, a museum, meditation centre, an auditorium, and a cultural and arts-and-crafts centre with 100 accommodations.<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1/> Aiming to be the "a centre for global Sindhi identity", <ref name=Tirthdham1/> the project costs an estimated ₹100 crore and was built on the donations from wealthy Indian Sindhis.<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1/> [[Harish Fabiani]], one of the key promoters of the project, stated regarding the cultural complex, "The younger generation is aware they are Sindhis, but they do not know their language. We must learn our language and culture. We should have a place we can call our own."<ref name=Tirthdham>{{cite web\|last1= Shradha Shahani\|title=Sindhis are building a Jhulelal Tirthdham—their own holy city\|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/sindhis-are-building-a-jhulelal-tirthdham-their-own-holy-city/\|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>		[[Sindhi Hindus]] in India built a religious shrine and cultural complex in [[Kutch]], near the border of [[Sindh Province]].<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1>{{cite web\|title=Coming up in Gujarat, Sindhis' own sacred shrine - Times of India\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coming-up-in-gujarat-sindhis-own-sacred-shrine/articleshow/69287901.cms\|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> The 100-acre complex includes a 100-foot statue of Lord Jhulelal, a museum, meditation centre, an auditorium, and a cultural and arts-and-crafts centre with 100 accommodations.<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1/> Aiming to be the "a centre for global Sindhi identity",<ref name=Tirthdham1/> the project costs an estimated ₹100 crore and was built on the donations from wealthy Indian Sindhis.<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1/> [[Harish Fabiani]], one of the key promoters of the project, stated regarding the cultural complex, "The younger generation is aware they are Sindhis, but they do not know their language. We must learn our language and culture. We should have a place we can call our own."<ref name=Tirthdham>{{cite web\|last1= Shradha Shahani\|title=Sindhis are building a Jhulelal Tirthdham—their own holy city\|date=5 June 2019\|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/sindhis-are-building-a-jhulelal-tirthdham-their-own-holy-city/\|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>

	[[File:Jhule Lal.jpg\|thumb\|Picture of Jhule Lal in Hindu temple]]		[[File:Jhule Lal.jpg\|thumb\|Picture of Jhule Lal in Hindu temple]]

	==Iconography==		==Iconography==
	* In the most common form, Jhulelal is represented as a bearded man sitting cross-legged on a [[Nelumbo nucifera\|lotus flower]] that rests on a [[Tenualosa ilisha\|palla fish]].<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Nadeem F. Paracha\|title=Jhulay Lal's full circle\|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1227241/jhulay-lals-full-circle\|access-date=22 December 2015\|agency=Dawn\|publisher=Dawn\|date=December 20, 2015}}</ref> The fish is seen floating on the Sindhu river. He holds a sacred text and sometimes even a rosary. He wears a golden crown with a [[peacock]] feather and wears regal clothes. Generally, temple idols represent him in this form.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref>{{cite book\|last=Boivin\|first=Michel\|date=15 Oct 2008\|page=76\|title=Sindh through History and Representations: French Contributions to Sindhi Studies\|publisher=Oxford University Press\|isbn=9780195475036}}</ref>		* In the most common form, Jhulelal is represented as a bearded man sitting cross-legged on a [[Nelumbo nucifera\|lotus flower]] that rests on a [[Tenualosa ilisha\|palla fish]].<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Nadeem F. Paracha\|title=Jhulay Lal's full circle\|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1227241/jhulay-lals-full-circle\|access-date=22 December 2015\|agency=Dawn\|publisher=Dawn\|date=December 20, 2015}}</ref> The fish is seen floating on the Sindhu river. He holds a sacred text and sometimes even a rosary. He wears a golden crown with a [[peacock]] feather and wears regal clothes. Generally, temple idols represent him in this form.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref>{{cite book\|last=Boivin\|first=Michel\|date=15 Oct 2008\|page=76\|title=Sindh through History and Representations: French Contributions to Sindhi Studies\|publisher=Oxford University Press\|isbn=9780195475036}}</ref>

imported>TrangaBellam: ed

2021-08-25T16:11:31Z

New page

{{short description|Incarnation of Varuna}}
{{about|the Hindu deity|the Muslim mystic|Jhulelal (Sufism)}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Jhulelal hindu deity.jpg
| caption =Jhulelal sitting on a lotus flower in the middle of a river and surrounded by a couple of silver fish (palla fish)
| name = Bhagwan Jhulelal
| affiliation = [[Varuna]] [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]
| mantra = Om Jhulelalaya Namah
| weapon = Sword
| siblings = Arhastra
| consort =
| abode = Sea & River [[Indus]]
| mount = Hilsa & Horse
}}
{{Hinduism}}

A folkloric hero among the sect of Daryapanthi Sindhis, '''Jhulelal''' has been manufactured to be the most revered deity of [[Sindhi Hindus]] in postcolonial South Asia.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn|The chant '''Aayo Laal Sabhainjo Jhulelal''' is considered the "clarion call" of Sindhi Hindus.<ref name=lari>{{cite book|last1=Lari|first1=Suhail Zaheer|title=A history of Sindh|date=1994|publisher=Oxford|isbn=0195775015|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfFtAAAAMAAJ&q=sukkur|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref>}}

Legends roughly agree that Jhulelal was born during the rule of one Islamic despot "Mirkshah", who had issued an ultimatum to local Hindus for converting to Islam.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Westland">{{cite book|last1=Bhavnani|first1=Nandita|title=The Making of Exile: Sindhi Sindhis and the Partition of India|date=2014|publisher=Westland|isbn=9789384030339}}</ref> The child was the reincarnation of a Hindu deity and shew supernatural powers since childhood: he went on to preach about how the Hindus as well as Muslims believed in the same God and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Ultimately, Jhulelal convinced the King to spare the Hindus and even gained devotees among the Muslims.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

Devotion towards Jhulelal was not uniform in pre-partition Sindh; many Sindhi Hindus had never heard of him and he was one of the many deities belonging to the Sindhi pantheon.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> However, in 1950 an emigrant section of Sindhi Hindus, led by Ram Panjwani in Bombay, decided to transform Jhulelal into the ''[[Iṣṭa-devatā (Hinduism)|iṣṭa-devatā]]'' of all Sindhi Hindus and unify the diaspora''.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref name="Ramey2008p8" />'' Devotional songs were penned, pamphlets printed, statues installed, festivals celebrated, and cultural events organized in thousands for the cause of Jhulelal.''<ref name="falzon159" />'' Over the course of decades, Jhulelal has successfully become the representative Hindu God of Sindhis within the folds of Hinduism.''<ref name="falzon159" />''

Iconography of Jhulelal varies widely.''<ref name="falzon159" />''<ref>https://www.dawn.com/news/1227241</ref> Sindhi Hindus worship Jhulelal at the [[Shrine at Odero Lal]] in [[Pakistan]]'s [[Sindh]] province, which is jointly used by Hindus, and Sindhi Muslims who revere the shrine as the tomb of Sheikh Tahir. A second shrine named ''Jhulelal Tirthdham'' exists in [[India]] at [[Narayan Sarovar]], [[Kutch]], [[Gujarat]].<ref name="Tirthdham1" />

==Folklore==

=== Rough summary ===
After a long period of harmonious existence between the Hindus and Muslims, one Mirkshah of Thatta ascended the throne.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Instigated by his advisors, he ordered that all local Hindus convert to Islam or be put to death.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The Hindus prayed to Indus, who promised that Varuna will take the form of a child and avert the impending catastrophe.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

In 1007, the day of Cheti Chand in Chaitra, one Uderolal was born to a local Hindu family.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> As he began to be worshiped, Mirkshah sent his ministers to investigate who witnessed various strange events.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The child metamorphosed into a young warrior, then into an old man, before back to child; at other times, he swam upstream on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />{{efn|Jhulelal is also believed by Sindhis to have performed other miracles, such as entering the Indus river at Nasirpur and coming up at [[Bukkur]], at the northernmost extent of Sindh.<ref name="lari" />}} Mirkshah grew afraid but his advisors coerced him to hold stead.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

Soon, he went to meet Uderolal and was impressed by his understanding of Islam — Uderolal preached about how the Hindus and Muslims believed in the same God, and the Koran forbade conversion.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref name="falzon159" /> However, his advisors suggested that his teachings be disregarded and Uderolal imprisoned.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> When the guards proceeded to arrest him, an inferno and a flood engulfed his palaces.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref name="falzon159" /> Mirkshah relented, abolished his decree, and asked for forgiveness from Uderolal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />[[File:Jhulelal.jpg|thumb]]

As the palace was saved and harmony restored, Jhulelal gained devotees even among the Muslims (including Mirkshah).<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Jhulelal requested that a flame be burnt for eternity, in the memory of his deeds, before leaving his earthly avatar.<ref name="falzon159" />

=== Variant readings ===
The myth of Jhulelal is not seen in regional histories written prior to the 20<sup>th</sup> century. While all Jhulelal legends broadly revolve around two themes — the valorization of Sindhi communal harmony and the intrinsic superiority of tolerant and devout Hindus over Muslims who weren't even able to interpret their own religious texts — the specifics vary widely and have even been a site of internal contestation among Sindhi Hindus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Moreover Sindhi Muslims have forged their own legends concerning Jhulelal.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

==== Hindus ====
The birth-name varies from Uderolal to Amarlal to Daryasahib; the event of his first appearance is either noted to be from a human birth or from the Indus, riding on a fish.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> He is variously noted as an ''avatara'' of Vishnu or a manifestation of Varuna; one conflates the two to deem him as the Varuna avatara of Vishnu.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> How he came to be known as Jhulelal attracts another set of fascinating claims.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> The transpirings that arose out of his encounter with Mirkshah varies — some claim that the King had submitted long ago in the face of his supernatural powers while others claim that Jhule Lal led a secretly gathered force to victory in an old-school war.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

The presentation of the narrative differs too.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Many renderings choose to emphasize on the cruelty of Muslim rulers against Brahmins (and Hindus, by extension) — a column in [[The Indian Express|Indian Express]] had projected contemporary Hindu Nationalism onto the narrative with Jhule Lal "fill[ing] the shrinking Hindus with courage" and "put[ting] holy terror into the persecuting Muslims" while some Sindhis have transplanted Jhulelal into the reign of [[Aurangzeb]], a ruler notoriously renowned in public memory for being the worst persecutor of Hindus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /> Some choose to emphasize on the Hinduness of Jhulelal drawing tenuous connections with Vedic corpus.<ref name="Ramey2008p8" />

==== Muslims ====
Jhulelal is declared to be [[Khwaja Khizr]].<ref name="Ramey2008p8" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jatt|first=Zahida Rehman|date=2017-10-24|title=Khwaja Khizr: The saint who 'saved' Rohri, Sukkur and Lansdowne Bridge during the 1965 War|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1365940|access-date=2021-08-25|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Khwaja Khizr and River Cult in Medieval Sindh|url=https://www.sahapedia.org/khwaja-khizr-and-river-cult-medieval-sindh|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Sahapedia|language=en}}</ref>

==Festivals==
{{main|Cheti Chand|Chalio}}

===Cheti Chand===
The [[Cheti Chand]] festival in the month of [[Chaitra]], marks the arrival of spring and harvest, as well as the mythical birth of Uderolal in the year 1007.<ref name=falzon159/><ref name="Ramey2008p8">{{Citation|last=Ramey|first=Steven W.|title=Presenting Sacred Figures|date=2008|url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230616226_5|work=Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond|pages=105–124|editor-last=Ramey|editor-first=Steven W.|place=New York|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US|language=en|isbn=978-0-230-61622-6|access-date=2021-08-24}}</ref> Uderolal morphed into a warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve the same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal,<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/> became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus, who according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday.<ref name="Ramey2008p8"/><ref name=falzon159>{{cite book|author=Mark-Anthony Falzon|title=Cosmopolitan Connections: The Sindhi Diaspora, 1860–2000|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ljbS-I5Y8WMC&pg=PA59|year=2004|publisher=BRILL|isbn=90-04-14008-5|pages=58–60}}</ref>

===Chaliya saheb===
[[Chalio]] or Chaliho, also called Chaliho Sahib, is a forty-day-long festival celebrated by Sindhi Hindus<ref name=a>[http://www.festivalsofindia.in/Chaliho/ Chaliho festival] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916224736/http://www.festivalsofindia.in/Chaliho/ |date=September 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref name=b>[http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MAH-PUN-sindhis-celebrate-chalio-festival-2272672.html Sindhis celebrate Chalio festival]</ref><ref name=d>[http://www.thesindhuworld.com/chaliho.html Sindhi Festivals > Chaliho] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425020539/http://www.thesindhuworld.com/chaliho.html |date=April 25, 2012 }}</ref> to express their gratitude to Jhulelal for saving them from their impending conversion to Islam. The festival is observed every year in the months of July to August; dates vary according to [[Hindu calendar]].<ref name=a/><ref name=b/> It is a thanksgiving celebration in honor of Varuna Deva for listening to their prayers.<ref name=a/><ref name=b/>

== Shrines ==

===Odero Lal Shrine===
[[File:Shrine at Odero Lal.jpg|thumb|Odero Lal Shrine]]
[[File:Marking of Attendance at Shrine by Farhan Wilayat.jpg|thumb|Visitors have to ring the bell before entering Jhulelal's shrine in order to mark their attendance]]

The Jhulelal [[Shrine at Odero Lal]] is situated in [[Matiari District]], almost 40 kilometers away from the [[Sanghar District]] of [[Sindh]]; The Hindus and the Muslims can pray here at the same place simultaneously.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Zahida Rehman Jatt|title=Jhulay Lal's cradle of tolerance|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1185942|access-date=22 December 2015|agency=Dawn|publisher=Dawn|date=June 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Claude Markovits|title=The Global World of Indian Merchants, 1750–1947: Traders of Sind from Bukhara to Panama|date=22 June 2000|publisher=Cambridge University Press, 2000|isbn=9781139431279|page=48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M2vu7Odjz6kC&q=Udero+Lal+town&pg=PA48|access-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> [[Nawabshah]], [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Matiari]], [[Sanghar]] and [[Mirpur Khas]] are the nearby major cities to reach at the Shrine near [[Tando Adam]].<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Cities near Udero Lāl in Sindh, Pakistan|url=http://www.gomapper.com/travel/list-of-cities-near/udero-lal.html|website=GoMapper|access-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>

It forms the seat of the Daryapanthis, originally a subsect of the followers of [[Gorakhnath]], who belong to the [[Nath]] tradition.<ref name="Story of Jhulelal">[http://www.jhulelal.com/infotainment/story.html Story of Jhulelal] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.jhulelal.com/infotainment/story.html&date=2011-05-01|date=2011-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1318886|title=How this lesser known festival is celebrated annually by Hindus in Sindh|last=Jatt|first=Zahida Rehman|date=2017-03-07|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-09-16|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Jhulelal Tirthdham===
[[Sindhi Hindus]] in India built a religious shrine and cultural complex in [[Kutch]], near the border of [[Sindh Province]].<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1>{{cite web|title=Coming up in Gujarat, Sindhis' own sacred shrine - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coming-up-in-gujarat-sindhis-own-sacred-shrine/articleshow/69287901.cms|access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref> The 100-acre complex includes a 100-foot statue of Lord Jhulelal, a museum, meditation centre, an auditorium, and a cultural and arts-and-crafts centre with 100 accommodations.<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1/> Aiming to be the "a centre for global Sindhi identity", <ref name=Tirthdham1/> the project costs an estimated ₹100 crore and was built on the donations from wealthy Indian Sindhis.<ref name=Tirthdham/><ref name=Tirthdham1/> [[Harish Fabiani]], one of the key promoters of the project, stated regarding the cultural complex, "The younger generation is aware they are Sindhis, but they do not know their language. We must learn our language and culture. We should have a place we can call our own."<ref name=Tirthdham>{{cite web|last1= Shradha Shahani|title=Sindhis are building a Jhulelal Tirthdham—their own holy city|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/sindhis-are-building-a-jhulelal-tirthdham-their-own-holy-city/|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Jhule Lal.jpg|thumb|Picture of Jhule Lal in Hindu temple]]
==Iconography==
* In the most common form, Jhulelal is represented as a bearded man sitting cross-legged on a [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus flower]] that rests on a [[Tenualosa ilisha|palla fish]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nadeem F. Paracha|title=Jhulay Lal's full circle|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1227241/jhulay-lals-full-circle|access-date=22 December 2015|agency=Dawn|publisher=Dawn|date=December 20, 2015}}</ref> The fish is seen floating on the Sindhu river. He holds a sacred text and sometimes even a rosary. He wears a golden crown with a [[peacock]] feather and wears regal clothes. Generally, temple idols represent him in this form.<ref name="falzon159" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Boivin|first=Michel|date=15 Oct 2008|page=76|title=Sindh through History and Representations: French Contributions to Sindhi Studies|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195475036}}</ref>
* In another form, he is shown standing on a palla fish or the lotus flower, holding a staff with both hands to indicate leadership.<ref name="falzon159" />

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==See also==
* [[Cheti Chand]]
* [[Darya Lal Mandir]]
* [[Shri Varun Dev Mandir]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.thesindhuworld.com All About Sindhis]
* [http://www.jhulelal.com Jhule Lal]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120819084643/http://www.thesindhuworld.com/jhulelal.html Sindhi Deity Jhulelal]

{{HinduMythology}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Regional Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Hindu folk deities]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Sindh]]
[[Category:Sindhi people]]
[[Category:Sindhi Hindu saints]]