Dharam Shalas

Sindhis being Sufis by nature do not adopt strictly the ritualistic religion. Nevertheless they are religious because they follow all religions and Sects. Sindhis keep idols of various Gods and Goddesses in their temple. Photographs of various Gods, Goddesses, Gurus, Pirs, Godman and prominent personalities of various religions and cults hang from its walls. Even Guru Granth Sahib, has a sacred place in a Sindhi Mandir.

Sindhis of Indus Valley were Shaivas (followers of Shiva and Ganesh) and Shaktas (followers of Shakti – mother Goddess or Devi). With the advent of Aryans in Sindh, Sindhis started following Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The spread of Buddhism and Jainism in lower Sindh enabled Arabs to conquer Sindh because the Satraps of lower Sindh did not fight them. With Arabs came Sufis and Sindhis adopted Sufism being nearer to Advaitvad. In course of time it became inseparable part of Sindhi character.

With migration of Sikhs to Sindh because of their persecution by Muslim rulers of Punjab Sindhis adopted Sikhism. Especially Sindhi ladies learnt Punjabi script to enable them to read Guru Granth Sahib. Many of Amils, a sect of Sindhis, adopted Sikhism.

With British rule, Christianity found favour with Sindhis and many of them embraced Christianity. During British rule many social and cultural movements affected Sindhis who became Aryasamajis, Brahmosamajis, Radhaswamis, Radhasoamis, Nirankaris, etc. After coming to India Sindhis have become followers of Nuri Granth of Dada Vaswani, Nij Thanw of Sant Lachmandas, Brahma Kumaris (earlier known as Om Mandli) of Dada Lekhraj, Balaji Tirupati, Sai baba of Shridi, Sathya Sai Baba of Puttapurthi, Acharya Rajneesh, etc.

Sindhis believe that God is one but He is manifested in various Gods, Goddesses and God men. As such Sindhis worship one and all. In fact Sindhis, not following any highly ritualistic worship, are adaptable to the neighbourer’s faith. As such Sindhis in Maharashtra worship Ganesh, those in Bengal worship Durga and in south they celebrate Pongal.

Uderolal (commonly known as Jhulelal) is Ishtadeva of Sindhis. His birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm as Cheti Chand. Sindhis travelled by water to far off lands for their commerce. Hence they worshipped Water God and many of them were called Daryapanthis. Uderolal, who is incarnation of Water God once, saved them from persecution from Muslim king Mirkhshah, who ordered Hindus of Thatto to adopt Islam.

Hindus worshipped the Water God, who responded to their prayers for relieving them of the persecution by Mirkhshah and appeared as Uderolal. When he defeated Mirkhshah and impressed him with his powers, the latter became his follower along with many Muslims. Sindhi Muslims call him Zindapir.

In this manner Sindhis are true followers of Vasudhaiva Kutambakam

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