Harela, translating to “Day of Green,” is a traditional agrarian festival celebrated with joy every year in the beautiful hills of Uttarakhand, especially the Kumaon region. In 2025, the festival is being observed on Wednesday, July 16, marking the start of the Shravan month and welcoming the monsoon with eco-conscious festivities.
A Glimpse into History
Harela’s origins lie deep in the agricultural traditions of Kumaon, dating back centuries. It coincides with the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and natural harmony. Held annually on the first day of Shravan (Kark Sankranti), the festival ushers in the monsoon and the essential sowing season.
Rituals & Traditions
- Seed-Sowing Ritual
Roughly ten days before Harela, households sow five to seven types of grains – wheat, barley, maize, mustard – in small leaf-baskets or containers. These are nurtured until they sprout. - Clay Idols and “Mock Wedding”
Just before the main day, clay idols of Shiva and Parvati are fashioned. Children then playfully enact their wedding as part of the ritual. - Sprouted Greens (“Harela”)
On July 16, 2025, families harvest the sprouts (harela) and elders place them on children’s and newlyweds’ heads as blessings for prosperity and health. - Games & Cultural Festivities
Traditional games like Gedi (walking on bamboo stilts), folk songs, dances, and community feasts bring villages alive.
Environmental & Social Significance
- Green Awakening
Over time, Harela has grown into a movement symbolizing eco-awareness and tree-planting. Schools, villages, and official bodies plant saplings, reinforcing “Save The Environment” pledges. - Biodiversity and Ecology
The 2025 theme emphasizes large-scale plantation: the state government targets planting over 500,000 saplings – 300,000 in Garhwal and 200,000 in Kumaon – under the campaign “Celebrate Harela, repay the debt of Mother Earth”. - Cultural & Spiritual Bonds
Celebrations reinforce traditional wisdom – worship of Shiva-Parvati, blessings, folklore, and family unity.
Harela Mela: The Grand Fair
From July 16–21, 2025, the Harela Mela in Bhimtal draws locals and visitors alike. What began as a simple farmers’ market has blossomed into a vibrant 5-day fair offering folk dances, handicrafts, food stalls, eco-education exhibits, and political outreach.
Harela 2025 Theme: “Repay the Debt of Mother Earth”
The 2025 theme – “Celebrate Harela festival – Repay the debt of Mother Earth (Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam)” – reinforces environmental stewardship. Under this theme, everyone from students to officials pledged one meaningful green act: planting a sapling, conserving water, reducing plastic, or supporting organic farming.
Why Harela Matters Today
- Ecological Impact: Reinforces planting saplings, protecting biodiversity, and raising climate-awareness.
- Cultural Identity: Keeps alive folk traditions, music, and rituals that connect generations.
- Agricultural Roots: Honors the timing of sowing and the importance of beginning new cycles in harmony with monsoons.
Final Reflections
Harela is far more than a folk ceremony – it’s a vibrant tapestry of environmental responsibility, cultural heritage, and spiritual renewal. As Uttarakhand greets monsoon 2025, Harela reminds every participant: by nurturing the land, we honor the past and protect our future.