HARELA

Harela is a Hindu festival celebrated basically in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state of India and some regions of Himachal Pradesh. It is called Hariyali or Rihyali in the Kangra, Shimla, and Sirmour regions of Himachal Pradesh. It is called Dakhrain in the Jubbal and Kinnaur areas of Himachal Pradesh. In Himachal, people take their village deity to an open place, and sing and dance in front of the idol. It is celebrated thrice every year; the first two celebrations are during both the periods of Navrati – first during Chaitra Navrati in the month of Chaitra, and second during Sharad Navratri in the month of Ashwin. This is followed by Bhaitauli or Bhitauli wherein gifts are given to girls of the family.The Shravan Harela is celebrated as the first day (Kark Sankranti) of the Hindu calendar month of Shravan (late July). It is also symbol for the onset of rainy season (Monsoon) as Harela literally means "Day of Green" Agriculture-based communities in the region consider it highly auspicious, as it marks the beginning on the sowing cycle in their fields. They pray for a good harvest and prosperity.

The primary belief of the festival lies in the probable origins in Neo-lithic fertility festivals, which were marked as religious celebration of the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, The people make the clay statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati known as Dikare or Dikars, and worship them.Harela symbolizes a new harvest of the rainy season every year.

The celebration falls on the first day of Shravan. Ten days before the due date, 5 or 7 types of seeds are sown in buckets by the head of every family. Water is then sprinkled over them. After the due time, but before the actual celebration, mock wedding is done by young ones. Following which, people also worship the statues of Lord shiva and Goddess Parvati. The yellow leaves of the new harvest are cut, and worn in the ears. This is the symbol for the rainy season, and new harvest. People also eat the seeds of new harvest after heating them. People meet their relatives, and enjoy the festival. Some people also sow the seeds of new plants in the soil or fields, and join their hands in the form of 'Pranam' for saving the environment.

Harela has a great significance in Kumaon. This symbolizes a new harvest and the rainy season. It has become common practice to attribute a slogan of – "Save The Environment" to Harela. Schools in the Kumaun area often encourage their students to plant saplings, either at home, in the school or with the support of local officials.