There is no denying the stunning beauty of Uttarakhand and its rich culture. The folk festivals, lifestyle and food are connected to nature. One of the folk festivals of the state, Harela Mela, is also rooted in nature. While this festival is celebrated twice a year by many, it is mainly a part of the Sawan/Shravan festivities. It also symbolises the crop-growing season. The people here believe that the bigger the Harela, the more there will be prosperity in the family.

Harela Mela is an important festival celebrated in the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand. Harela is a plant grown by sowing seeds of seven types of grains. This year, Harela Mela festivities kicked off on July 16. Nainital Resident, Pandit Prakash Joshi, in an interview with Local18, shared that this year Harela festival be celebrated on July 16.

People sow the grains in their homes 10 to 11 days before the festival commences and on the day of Karka Sankranti, the cutting of Harela is done. He further added that the folk festival is dedicated to nature and is celebrated on Karka Sankranti and the first day of Shravan. The festival is also dedicated to agricultural science.

Before sowing the seven grains, the soil is taken out and put in a clean place near the house a few days before the festival and then dried. For sowing Harela, big leaves of Malu or Timla leaves are used, which are called Khopi. The seeds sown are of paddy, wheat, maize, rice, urad, gahat and sesame. Harela is kept in the corner of the temple and protected from the rays of the sun. Within two to three days, the plant sprouts, after which the girls of the house have to water it every day.

In many places, Brahmin families make idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh by putting cotton in clay and placing them in the middle of Harela. Even idols of Kartikeya are made. These idols are worshipped and are offered with seasonal fruits. On the day of Harela, Pandit Ji does Pran Pratishtha of Harela in the temple. Various foods are made, especially Urad Pakodi along with Puri. Plants are potted and people pledge to protect nature.

Even in Haldwani, a fair has been organised at the Parvatiya Cultural Utthan Manch located in Hirangarwhich MLA Sumit inaugurated along with outgoing Mayor Jogendra Pal Singh Rautela. The fair highlights the customs of the mountains through the various Kumaoni programmes. Various stalls are set up by self-help groups.

Harela festival will be celebrated for 5 days and as a part of the Mela, various games will also be organised along with cultural programmes in the fair. In the evening, Pahadi artists will be performing and at the fair, important information is also imparted here.