What is "chilla"

n. The South American gray fox.

Chilla (, , both literally "forty") is a spiritual practice of penance and solitude in Sufism known mostly in Indian and Persian traditions. In this ritual a mendicant or ascetic attempts to remain seated in a circle practicing meditation techniques without food for 40 days and nights in imitation of the Arba'een. The word chilla is derived from the Persian word chehel "forty". Chilla is commonly performed in a solitary cell called a chilla-khana.

Chilla is a wilderness area and part of Rajaji National Park in India. Known as an electricity creator (on the River) area in the Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttrakhand. It is also well known as a wild tourist place of Uttrakhand, standing in the middle of Rishikesh and Haridwar, very near to Ganga Bhogpur.

Category:National parks of Uttarakhand Category:Pauri Garhwal district

Chilla may refer to:

• Chilla (Rajaji National Park), a wilderness area in Rajaji National Park in India.
• Chilla katna, in Hindustani classical music, chilla or chilla katna is a stage of training.
• Chilla (retreat), a Sufi practice of penance and solitude.
• Chilla Saroda Bangar, a census town in East Delhi District.
• South American gray fox, better known as the chilla.

Chillā ( Nepal Bhasa: चिल्ला) is the fifth month in the Nepal Era calendar, the national lunar calendar of Nepal. The month coincides with Phalguna in the Hindu lunar calendar and March in the Gregorian calendar.

Chillā begins with the new moon and the full moon falls on the 15th of the lunar month. The month is divided into the bright and dark fortnights which are known as Chillā Thwa and Chillā Gā respectively.

The major event that occurs during this month is Holi, the festival of colors, which begins on the 8th day of the bright fortnight and climaxes on the full moon day. The Chir, a pole surmounted by an umbrella-like structure decorated with strips of colorful cloth, is erected at Kathmandu Durbar Square to announce the festival.

The sacred bathing ceremony of the deity Nālā Karunāmaya, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is held on the 1st day of the dark fortnight at Nālā. The chariot procession of Nālā Karunamaya is held on the 3rd day.

The festival of Pahan Charhe, one of the most important religious celebrations in Kathmandu, starts on the 14th day of the dark fortnight. Ghode Jātrā, the horse racing festival, is held the next day at the open ground of Tundikhel.