Uttarakhand is celebrating the traditional Harela festival today, July 16, 2025, marking the beginning of the monsoon season and the sowing cycle in the Hindu month of Shravan. Widely observed in the Kumaon region and parts of Garhwal, Harela is both a religious and agrarian festival, rooted in reverence for nature and agriculture.
Households across the state have prepared for the occasion by sowing seeds such as barley, maize, and mustard ten days in advance. These have now sprouted into green shoots called harela, which are symbolically cut and placed on the heads of family members as a blessing for prosperity and good health.
The festival also commemorates the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, with many homes and temples setting up clay idols for ritual worship. Devotees offer prayers for a good harvest, environmental harmony, and community well-being.
Mass Plantation Drives Across the State
In addition to traditional rituals, Harela in recent years has taken on a strong environmental dimension. In line with its green ethos, the Uttarakhand government has launched several tree plantation campaigns today. Under the theme "Celebrate Harela, Repay the Debt of Mother Earth", over 5 lakh saplings are expected to be planted across the state.
As part of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" (One Tree in Mother's Name) initiative, citizens are being encouraged to plant a tree in honour of their mothers. State officials, schoolchildren, and volunteers are participating in plantation drives in both urban and rural areas.
Cultural Celebrations and Bank Holiday
Traditional folk songs, dances, and local fairs are being held in various towns and villages. Events such as the Harela Mela in Almora and Nainital are drawing significant crowds. Children also engage in bamboo-stilt games known as Gedi, while elders perform age-old customs to mark the festival.
A bank holiday is also being observed in Uttarakhand today in recognition of the festival, as per the Reserve Bank of India's holiday calendar. Most government offices and educational institutions remain closed.
A Festival of Faith and Environment
Celebrated primarily by Hindu communities in the hills, Harela serves as a reminder of the deep bond between humans and nature. With its blend of agricultural, religious, and ecological themes, the festival has grown in significance over the years—both as a cultural tradition and a public environmental movement.
As celebrations unfold across the state, Harela 2025 reaffirms Uttarakhand’s identity as a land where spirituality and sustainability walk hand in hand.
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