Today, Harela festival is being celebrated in Devbhoomi with great pomp. It is one of the important festivals of Uttarakhand. Along with this, it is also known for greenery, happiness and prosperity. Uttarakhand is also called the state with the highest number of folk festivals in the country. One of these is ‘Harela festival’. This folk festival is also considered a symbol of the faith of Uttarakhand. The residents of Uttarakhand start preparing for this festival several days in advance. This day is very special for every resident of Uttarakhand and the beginning of Sawan is considered here from this day itself. Whereas in other parts of the country, the month of Sawan has arrived. This festival is an indicator of greenery and the beginning of a new season.
The name Harela can be inferred that it is a symbol of greenery. With the arrival of this festival, greenery becomes more visible in Uttarakhand. What is common and special about this folk festival, everyone’s deep faith is also attached. Harela is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Shiva’s marriage with the change of seasons, which is called Harkali Pujan and from this day itself also marks the beginning of the fair festival in the mountain. It is said that on this day, if any person plants a green twig during this period, then it starts bearing fruit. On this occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Harela festival.
CM Dhami said that Harela festival is a festival of conservation of nature. Dhami said that it is his endeavor that there should be participation of people in the Harela festival and the coming generation should also become its participant. We do not have to be limited to planting saplings, but we also have to pay attention to their conservation and promotion.
Harela festival is celebrated thrice a year in Uttarakhand
Harela is a folk festival associated with nature, which is the most important of the festivals celebrated in Uttarakhand. By the way, Harela is celebrated thrice a year. The first is celebrated in the month of Chaitra, the second in the month of Shravan and the third in the month of Ashwin, out of these three, Harela celebrated in the month of Sawan is celebrated with special pomp. Harela is sown a few days before the start of Sawan. It is cut on the day of Sankranti. 5 to 7 types of seeds are sown 9 days before the festival. It includes maize, wheat, urad, mustard and bhat. It is sown in baskets and after 3 to 4 days germination starts. Only small plants coming out of it are called Harela. These plants are offered to the deities.
The elders of the house cut it and bless the younger ones by placing their straws on their ears and heads. People actively participate in this festival, but the straws of Harela are sent to the employed and those who live away from home. Which are kept on the ears and head, taking the blessings of the elders and the blessings of the gods. Today, greenery is seen all around in Uttarakhand on the festival of Harela. People of Uttarakhand also plant trees on this occasion.
