Dehradun, July 10 (IANS) Uttarakhand is widely known for its vibrant folk traditions, agricultural heritage and deep-rooted bond with nature. The state’s traditional festivals are not only expressions of religious faith but also reflect the values of environmental conservation, social harmony and gratitude towards nature.
Among these, Harela, one of the most significant folk festivals of the Kumaon region, stands out as a celebration of greenery, prosperity and the arrival of a new agricultural season. This year, the festival will be observed on July 16.
Celebrated with the onset of the holy month of Sawan, Harela is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival is marked with devotion and enthusiasm in households across the Kumaon region. Apart from its religious significance, Harela also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting forests, preserving biodiversity and maintaining harmony with nature.
Dr. Lalit Tiwari, Professor in the Department of Botany at DSB College, Nainital, said that Harela nurtures a sense of affection and responsibility towards trees, forests and the environment. According to him, the festival teaches people the importance of living in balance with nature while strengthening the relationship between communities and their natural surroundings.
Preparations for the festival begin nearly nine to ten days before the start of Sawan. Families sow Harela using traditional Ringal (local bamboo) baskets or earthen pots. The baskets are lined with Timil and Malu leaves before being filled with soil.
Five or seven varieties of grains are then sown in the basket. These typically include barley, wheat, paddy, maize, Gahat (horse gram), mustard, Urad (black gram) and Bhatt (black soybean). As the seeds germinate, they produce lush green shoots that symbolise prosperity, agricultural abundance and the rich biodiversity of the Himalayan region.
After sowing, the basket is placed before the family’s Isht Devta (presiding deity) or at the designated place of worship. During the following nine to ten days, family members sprinkle water on the growing shoots every morning and evening while offering prayers.
On the first day of Sawan, when the shoots have fully grown, the Harela is harvested. It is first offered to the family deity as a mark of gratitude and devotion. Thereafter, the elders of the household perform the traditional Harela ritual for all family members.
The Harela ritual carries immense emotional and cultural significance in the Kumaon region. During the ceremony, elders gently touch the Harela shoots from the feet to the head and ears of family members before placing the leaves behind their ears as a symbol of divine blessings.
While performing the ritual, elders recite a traditional Kumaoni blessing: “May you live long and stay awakened; may you witness this day again and again. May your roots be as deep as the Dubak grass, your leaves as abundant as the Paul plant, and your vitality as strong as that of a jackal. As long as there is snow on the Himalayas and water in the Ganges, may the joy of the Harela festival remain in your lives. Live long and stay awakened.”
The blessing expresses wishes for a long life, good health, prosperity, wisdom and happiness. It also symbolises the hope that the joy associated with Harela continues for generations, just as the Himalayas remain snow-clad and the Ganga continues to flow.
Dr. Tiwari explained that Harela has a direct connection with agriculture and soil fertility. According to traditional belief, the greener and healthier the Harela shoots grow, the better the agricultural harvest is expected to be during the coming year. For farming communities in the hills, the festival is regarded as an indicator of crop prospects and the health of the land.
Because of this close association with agriculture, Harela is much more than a religious celebration. It represents centuries of farming traditions and highlights the dependence of human life on healthy ecosystems and fertile soil.
One of the most significant traditions associated with Harela is the plantation of shade-giving and fruit-bearing trees. For generations, people have planted saplings during the festival, reinforcing the values of environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and sustainable living.
In the present era, when climate change, deforestation and the depletion of water resources have emerged as serious concerns, the message of Harela has become even more relevant. The festival reminds people that forests, rivers, soil and human life are closely interconnected and that protecting nature is essential for future generations.
Deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Kumaon, Harela continues to inspire people to remain connected with their traditions, agriculture and the environment. More than just a festival, it represents a collective pledge to preserve nature and pass on a greener, healthier and more sustainable world to future generations.
–IANS
jk/rad