The famous Hindu festival Harela is celebrated in the Kumaon region of Uttrakhand. It falls thrice in a year and marks the beginning of a new season. This popular Kumaoni festival is celebrated during both the Navratris called Chaitra Navratri (comes in March /April), Sharad Navratri (comes in September/October) and in the Shravan month (late July).
It is followed by the Bhitauli, an occasion of giving money to the young girls of the family. All these communities are basically the agricultural-based who have great faith towards this festival. On the first day of Navratris (9 Days Festival), family’s head or priest sow 5 or 7 types of seeds in the soil which symbolises the future harvest. After worship water is sprinkled on them. The yellow leaves seen in the plant during germination are called Harela. People cut these Harela on the tenth day of Navratri and tuck them on their ears or head.
Harela falls in the month of Shravan (late July) and marks the advent of the rainy season. Including this, the festival also commemorates the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati. On this day people make small Dikars called small statutes of Gauri, Maheshwar and Ganesha for worship. Even the bullocks this day is given full rest. Harela is sent to the relatives, neighbours and friends. The significance of this festival lies in the opportunity given to the cultivators for testing the quality of the seed that they have in their stores.
Festival Highlights
- On the first day of festival family head or priest fill a pot or basket full of soil and sow 5-7 types of seeds in it.
- People made small clay statues of Gauri, Maheshwar, and Ganesha for worship.
- On the tenth day, people put the petals of freshly cut Harela on their head and ears.
- Harela is also sent to the neighbours, friends and relatives.
- Young girls of the family are gifted with money.
