Harela Mela – A Festival of Green, Growth & Kumaoni Culture

Let’s explore everything about Harela Mela—its meaning, rituals, dates, celebration style, history, and why it is so important for the people of Uttarakhand.

🌿 What is Harela? Meaning & Significance

The word ‘Harela’ comes from ‘Hareet’ (green). It marks the beginning of the sowing season, especially for paddy (धान), during Shravan month. Farmers celebrate Harela to seek blessings for a good harvest, greenery, and happiness.

But it’s not just about crops. Harela also stands for the bond between humans and nature, a reminder to respect the land that feeds us.

📅 When is Harela Mela Celebrated?

Harela is celebrated three times a year, but the Shravan Harela (July) is the most important.

Shravan Harela also connects with the holy month of Sawan, which is sacred for Lord Shiva. So, in many villages, Harela also celebrates Shiv-Parvati’s marriage.

🌱 Traditional Rituals & Preparations

Ten days before the main Harela day, people start preparing:

1. Grain Sowing Ritual:
   People sow five or seven grains (like barley, maize, mustard, wheat) in small containers made of leaves or mud.

2. Green Shoots (Harela):
   By the 10th day, small green shoots grow. On the festival day, these are cut and placed behind the ears of all family members as a symbol of blessings.

3. Home Decorations:
   Homes are cleaned. Women draw Aipan art on walls and entrances using red ochre and rice paste.

4. Blessings by Elders:
   Elders bless younger ones by putting Harela shoots on their heads or ears. They say words like:

   “जी रये, जंतु रये, पृथ्वी में पैद होये”
   (Live long, stay happy, and flourish like Earth’s greenery.)

    

🎉 Harela Mela – The Grand Celebration

In many towns and villages, Harela Mela is organized as a local fair or cultural festival. Major celebrations happen in places like:

• Almora (Lal Bazaar, Nanda Devi Temple area)

• Champawat

• Pithoragarh

• Bageshwar

• Haldwani and Nainital (in schools and colleges)

Major Attractions in Harela Mela:

• Folk dances like Chholiya, Jhora, and Bajubandh

• Harela folk songs sung by women and local artists

• Local food stalls serving singori, bal mithai, and traditional snacks

• Stalls of local crafts, farm tools, and eco-friendly items

• Tree plantation campaigns by schools, panchayats, and NGOs

• Children’s activities, drama, poetry, and fancy dress on nature themes

🎶 Traditional Songs of Harela

Harela songs are mostly sung in groups, especially by Kumaoni women while cutting the green harela. These songs talk about nature, Lord Shiva, farming, and village life.

Example of a traditional Harela folk song:

“Harela ayo ghareel, hariyali chhayee baga ma”
(Harela has come home, greenery has spread in the garden)

These songs are passed orally, from generation to generation, keeping the culture alive.

🌳 Harela and Environment Awareness

Harela is not just about culture and religion. In recent years, it has become a symbol of environmental protection. Schools, forest departments, and social groups plant lakhs of trees on this day.

In fact, Uttarakhand Government has made Shravan Harela an official “Tree Plantation Day” in the state.

People plant:

• Fruit trees like lemon, mango, guava

• Forest trees like oak (baanj), buransh, pine

• Medicinal herbs like tulsi, bhringraj

🙏 Religious Connection: Shiv-Parvati and Harela

According to local beliefs, Harela also marks the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Many temples perform special poojas, and married women keep fast for their husband’s health and happiness.

This is also why Harela is often considered an auspicious day for new beginnings like buying farm tools, starting house construction, etc.

📌 Interesting Local Customs

• Mock battles (Dangals) are performed by young boys in some villages. It shows bravery and strength of the farming youth.

• In rural Pithoragarh, people even use mud dolls and clay figures to teach children about farming and gods.

• In schools, children make Harela posters, eco-art, and poems to show the value of trees and greenery.

🔗 Related Article You Might Like

You can also read my in-depth article on Rung People of Kumaon – Culture, Food & Traditions. The Rung community also celebrates such seasonal festivals with a deep bond with nature.

🗓️ Future of Harela Mela

As more people are shifting to cities and modern life, local farming festivals like Harela are slowly fading. But thanks to school programs, cultural events, and village fairs, it’s still alive.

Many NGOs and youth groups are now reviving old traditions like:

• Folk music and dance competitions

• Harela-themed storytelling

• Village-to-village Harela campaigns

🌾 Conclusion: Why Harela Mela Matters

Harela Mela is not just a festival. It’s a lifestyle reminder. It teaches us to respect nature, stay rooted to the land, value family traditions, and protect the environment.

In these modern times, when climate change and pollution are rising, festivals like Harela show the Himalayan wisdom of living in harmony with nature.