Harela: A Celebration of Nature and Culture in Uttarakhand

What is Harela Festival?

A close-up of a pot filled with soil and sprouting green shoots of different grains, such as wheat, barley, rice and millet. The pot is placed on a wooden table with a red painted design of Aipan and some flowers. The image represents the Harela festival of Uttarakhand, which celebrates the new harvest and the monsoon season.

Harela is a festival that celebrates the arrival of the monsoon season and the new harvest in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, a state in northern India. The festival is observed on the first day of the Hindu month of Shravan, which usually falls in mid-July. Harela means “Day of Green” in the local language, and the festival is marked by planting saplings of various crops and trees, as well as worshipping Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati.

Origin and Significance

The festival has its roots in the ancient fertility rituals of the region, which were performed to ensure a good harvest and prosperity for the people. The festival also reflects the close relationship between nature and culture in the Himalayan region, where agriculture is the main source of livelihood for many communities. It is a way of expressing gratitude to nature for its bounty and seeking its blessings for the future.

Rituals and Customs

The preparations for Harela begin ten days before the festival when seeds of five or seven types of grains are sown in small pots or baskets filled with soil. These pots are kept in a dark place and watered regularly until they sprout into green shoots. These shoots are called Harela, and they are considered sacred and auspicious. On the day of Harela, people wake up early and take a bath. They then worship the idols or pictures of Shiva and Parvati, who are believed to be the divine parents of all living beings. They also offer prayers to the Sun god, who is the source of energy and life.

After the puja, people cut the Harela shoots and put them on their heads, ears, chest, and wrists as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. They also distribute them among their family members, friends, and neighbors as a gesture of love and goodwill. They also exchange gifts and sweets with each other. Some people also visit temples or sacred places to pay their respects to the deities.

The Celebration and Activities of the Harela Festival

Harela is also a time to celebrate nature and its beauty. People plant saplings of various trees and plants in their fields, gardens, courtyards, and roadsides. They also participate in various environmental activities such as cleaning, conserving, and protecting natural resources. They also enjoy cultural programs such as folk songs, dances, dramas, and games that showcase their rich heritage and traditions.

If you are interested in visiting some of the sacred and scenic destinations in Uttarakhand, you can also check out our article on Naini Devi Temple Nainital, a popular pilgrimage site and a beautiful lake view.

The Conclusion: Harela Festival – A Celebration of Nature and Culture

Harela is a festival that showcases the harmony between nature and culture in Uttarakhand. It is a festival that promotes ecological awareness, social bonding, and cultural pride among the people. It is a festival that celebrates life in all its forms and colors.

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