Harela

Manyanshi Joshi
Jul 16
6 min read

Harela is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated primarily in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and some parts of Himachal Pradesh. It marks the beginning of the monsoon season and is closely associated with agriculture, nature, and prosperity. Here's more about it:

🪴 Harela Festival Overview

Date: Celebrated on Shravan Sankranti (around July 16th–18th)
Meaning: "Harela" means "Day of Greenery" in the local language.
Significance: Symbolizes the onset of the sowing season and is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

🌿 Key Traditions

Sowing of Harela Seeds:
- 10 days before the festival, seeds of five or seven types of grains (usually wheat, maize, barley, etc.) are sown in small baskets.
- These sprouted plants, called harela, are cut and placed on the heads or behind the ears of family members as a blessing.
Blessings:
- Elders give blessings for prosperity, good harvest, and health.
- The phrase often said is:"Je rayo, dhanyo rayo, chhayo rayo"(May you live long, be blessed, and stay in shade/protection.)
Eco-Friendly Message:
- In recent years, Harela has taken on ecological importance — people plant trees and raise awareness about the environment.
Cultural Events:
- Folk songs, dances, and community meals are organized in villages and towns.

🌱 Modern Relevance

Harela is increasingly being recognized as a "Green Festival" and is used as a platform to promote environmental conservation, especially among children and youth.

Celebrating Harela at home can be a meaningful and joyful way to connect with nature and culture, even if you're away from the traditional Kumaon region. Here’s a simple guide on how you can celebrate Harela at home:

How to Celebrate Harela at Home 🌿

1. Sow Seeds (Harela Planting)

Get some seeds of grains like wheat, barley, or even moong dal or mustard seeds if those aren’t available.
Take a small container or tray, fill it with soil, and sow the seeds.
Water them regularly and watch the green sprouts grow over 10 days.
On the festival day, cut these sprouts and place them on family members’ heads or near their ears as a blessing.

2. Decorate Your Home

Use fresh green leaves, flowers, and traditional motifs to decorate your house.
You can also make a rangoli (colorful floor art) with green and earthy colors.

3. Offer Prayers

Perform a simple puja at home to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as Harela is associated with them.
Light a diya (lamp) and incense sticks.
Offer seasonal fruits, flowers, and the freshly cut sprouts.

4. Share Blessings and Wishes

Bless your family members with good health and prosperity.
Recite or say the traditional blessings:“Je rayo, dhanyo rayo, chhayo rayo” (May you live long, be blessed, and stay in protection).

5. Cook and Share Traditional Food

Prepare simple, fresh, and seasonal dishes.
If you want to, include grains or dishes typical of Kumaoni cuisine like Baadi (lentil dumplings), Aloo ke Gutke, or Mandua ki Roti.

6. Connect with Nature

Plant a tree or some plants in your garden or pots.
Teach kids about the importance of nature and the environment.

7. Cultural Connection

Listen to Kumaoni folk songs or watch videos about Harela traditions.
Share stories about the significance of the festival.

Bonus: A Simple Harela Blessing You Can Say

"May the green sprouts bring you health, prosperity, and happiness this year and always."

Here’s a simple step-by-step puja ritual you can do at home for Harela, along with a tasty traditional recipe — Mandua ki Roti (Finger Millet Flatbread) — a Kumaoni favorite often enjoyed during festivals.

🪔 Step-by-Step Harela Puja Ritual

What you need:

Small plate or altar
Fresh Harela sprouts (or any green sprouts you’ve grown)
A small idol or picture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (if available)
Flowers and leaves (preferably green)
Incense sticks and diya (oil lamp)
Fresh fruits or seasonal offerings
Water in a small bowl
Turmeric powder, red vermilion (kumkum), and rice grains
A bell (optional)

Ritual Steps:

Clean the puja area and sit comfortably facing east or north.
Light the diya and incense sticks. This symbolizes removing darkness and inviting purity.
Place the idol or picture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on the altar.
Offer flowers and leaves around the idol or picture.
Take the fresh Harela sprouts and sprinkle water on them while chanting:“Harela Hariyal, Prakriti ki Jai” (Victory to the green nature).
Apply a small tilak (mark) of turmeric and kumkum on the forehead of each family member and on the sprouts.
Place some rice grains on the sprouts or idol as a symbol of prosperity.
Offer fruits and other seasonal food items near the idol or on a plate as prasad.
Say the blessing aloud or silently for your family’s health, happiness, and a good harvest:“Je rayo, dhanyo rayo, chhayo rayo” (May you live long, be blessed, and stay protected).
Ring the bell or clap your hands thrice to conclude the puja.
Distribute the sprouts or prasad to family members to keep as blessings.

🍽️ Traditional Recipe: Mandua ki Roti (Finger Millet Flatbread)

Ingredients:

1 cup mandua (finger millet) flour
Warm water (as needed)
Salt to taste
Ghee or oil (for cooking)

How to Make:

In a bowl, mix the mandua flour and salt.
Add warm water little by little and knead to make a soft but firm dough.
Divide the dough into small balls.
Take one ball and flatten it into a round disc using your palms or a rolling pin. Use dry flour to prevent sticking.
Heat a tava or skillet on medium heat.
Cook the roti on the hot tava, flipping occasionally, until both sides are cooked and have brown spots.
Apply ghee or oil on the cooked roti and cook for another 30 seconds.
Serve hot with yogurt, chutney, or a vegetable curry of your choice.

This simple puja and recipe bring the essence of Harela into your home!

Here’s a concise history and background of the Harela festival that will help you understand why it’s celebrated and what it symbolizes:

🌿 History and Significance of Harela Festival

Origins

Harela is an ancient agricultural festival rooted in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and parts of Himachal Pradesh.
It dates back to times when farming communities depended heavily on the monsoon rains for their crops.
The festival marks the beginning of the sowing season, celebrated on Shravan Sankranti (around mid-July), which signals the arrival of the monsoon rains.

Mythological Significance

Harela is linked to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, revered deities in Hinduism.
It is believed that on this day, Shiva and Parvati celebrated the divine union, symbolizing fertility and prosperity for the land.
The festival also coincides with the time when Goddess Parvati’s parents visited her, symbolizing family unity and blessings.

Agricultural Importance

The festival is essentially a prayer to nature for a good harvest.
Sprouting seeds (harela) symbolize new life, fertility, and the promise of a bountiful crop.
It reflects the deep bond between people and nature, recognizing the earth’s role in sustaining life.

Environmental and Cultural Aspects

Traditionally, the festival involved sowing seeds that sprouted by the festival day — these green sprouts were considered sacred and were used to bless people.
Harela also emphasizes environmental conservation, encouraging tree planting and protection of natural resources.
Over time, it has become a celebration of greenery, life, and renewal, inspiring eco-friendly practices.

Summary:

Harela is more than just a harvest festival — it’s a celebration of nature’s bounty, family bonds, and spiritual blessings, rooted in ancient agrarian traditions and Hindu mythology. Its rituals symbolize hope, prosperity, and respect for Mother Earth.

Conclusion on Harela 🌿

Harela is a vibrant and meaningful festival that beautifully celebrates the arrival of the monsoon and the beginning of the agricultural season. Rooted deeply in nature worship, spiritual blessings, and community bonding, it reminds us of our intrinsic connection with the earth and the cycles of life. Through its rituals—like sowing seeds, offering prayers, and sharing blessings—Harela inspires hope, prosperity, and environmental consciousness. Whether in the Kumaon hills or at home far away, celebrating Harela is a way to honor tradition, nurture green life, and embrace the spirit of renewal and growth.

Happy Harela !!