Sindhi Festivals

 The last week was an eventful one. The Hindu Sindhi community celebrated this festivals of Teejri and Thadri followed by Shree Krishna Janamashtami yesterday. After a gap of around 2 years, there was finally some activity at the neighbourhood Sindhu Samaj albeit at a much lesser scale. As many of you would be aware, Teejri is a festival celebrated by women by fasting for the entire day to pray for the long lives of their husbands. In the evening, there is a community prayer which includes Teejri Mata ki Katha recited by Maharaj Shashikant at Sindhu Samaj. The women finally break their fasts after offering prayers to the moon ( Chandr as they say in colloquial Sindhi). Following Teejri and a day before Janamashtami is Thadri or Vadi Thadri as they say. On this day,  we eat food that is cooked a day earlier to please Devi Jog Maya / Sheetla Mata. In my own home, as is the case with most other Sindhi homes, the preparation begins a day earlier with mummy cooking Meetha Lolas, Besani / Namkeen Lolas etc a day earlier for next day consumption . We try to refrain from switching on the gas burner on this day. I personally enjoy eating Meetha / Mitha Lolas so keenly look forward to Thadri each year. In fact, i one of the previous years , i remember having rescheduled my UK trip to ensure I landed back on Thadri day to eat Lolas. 

Thadri Food at Teckchandani Household
(L-R) Chothas, Meetha Lolas, Butter, Raita and Besani/Namkeen Lolas

It is good to see the numbered Sindhi community getting together to celebrate these festivals. Community participation is the key if Sindhiyat is to thrive in the coming decades. My younger sister , Tina tells me about how Maharaj Shashikant was encouraing everyone who went to offer prayers to speak in Sindhi at their homes to preserve and retain our cultural heritage. 

I end with an insightful Sindhi Satsang by Sarvabhauma Prabhu ( Dr. Shishpal Sharma) on the auspicious occassion of Janamashtami. Dada Sahib is a fellow Hindu Sindhi from Pakistan who shifted to India in early 90s and is currently involved with ISKCON movement. He is a qualified medical doctor (MBBS) and belongs to a distinguished family who have been serving  Radha Krishna temple for the last eight generation in Mithi, Sindh, Pakistan. He is presently based in Vrindavan, India  and frequently travels across the world to preach Krishna Consciousness.  I hope you find the Pravachan to be of interest. 

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Jai Jhulelal.