Harela

Harela is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in Uttarakhand and parts of Himachal Pradesh, marking the start of the monsoon and the sowing season. Observed on the first day of the Hindu month of Shravan, it is a day for prayers for prosperity, planting saplings, and sharing blessings among families and communities.

• Green shoots are grown and shared as blessings for prosperity
• Sapling planting is central to the festival’s environmental message
• Special foods like urad pakoras are prepared in mountain homes
• Children play traditional games such as 'Gedi' on bamboo stilts
• Community fairs and gatherings enliven villages and towns

What it is

Harela, meaning 'Day of Green', is a festival deeply rooted in the agricultural communities of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. It marks the beginning of the monsoon and the sowing season, a time when the land turns lush and farmers prepare for new crops. The festival is seen as highly auspicious, symbolizing prosperity, environmental renewal, and the hope for a good harvest. Families and communities come together to celebrate nature’s abundance, with rituals and customs that honor both tradition and the environment.

Where it comes from

The origins of Harela are tied to the agricultural cycle and the arrival of the monsoon in the Himalayan foothills. Traditionally, it has been observed by Hindu communities as a way to mark the start of the sowing season and to pray for a fruitful harvest. Over time, the festival has also become associated with environmental conservation, with schools and local groups encouraging tree planting. The customs and names for Harela vary across regions, reflecting the diverse cultural landscape of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

How it is celebrated

Celebrations for Harela begin days in advance, with families sowing seeds—often five or seven varieties—in small containers. By the festival day, these seeds have sprouted into green shoots, which are then cut and distributed as blessings. Elders place these shoots on the heads of younger family members, reciting blessing verses. Special foods, such as urad pakoras, are prepared, and saplings are planted as a vow to protect nature. In some areas, symbolic weddings are enacted with greenery, and children play traditional games like 'Gedi', walking on bamboo stilts. Community fairs and gatherings, known as Kauthigs or Melas, add to the festive spirit, with music, dance, and visits to temples.

Joining in

Visitors to Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh during Harela can expect a warm, community-centered celebration. The main festivities are most vibrant in the Kumaon region, but similar traditions can be found across the hills. You may witness families exchanging green shoots, planting saplings, and gathering for local fairs. Participation is open and welcoming, with opportunities to join in planting activities, taste local foods, and experience the region’s music and folk traditions.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Harela, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Harela on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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