About Harela

हरेला

00 days

Happy Harela
हरेला पर्व की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं

123 wishes · 2 languages · 1 photo design · Updated October 2026

About Harela

Harela means "day of green". It is the festival of the monsoon and new crops in Uttarakhand, held on Shravan Sankranti, the first day of the month of Shravan, in mid July. The state also marks it as a big day for planting trees.

About ten days before the festival, families sow five or seven kinds of seeds, such as barley, wheat, maize, urad, mustard and gahat, in small baskets of soil kept near the home shrine. The seeds are watered each day in the shade and grow into soft yellow-green shoots.

On Harela morning the shoots are cut and offered to the gods. Then the elders place them on the heads of the family, behind the ears of the young, and give the blessing "Ji raya, jagi raya": live long and stay awake to the good things of life.

In many villages families also make small clay figures of Shiva and Parvati, called dikare, and share a family meal. Schools, offices and villages plant saplings, so the day joins an old harvest custom with care for the forests of the hills.

How people celebrate Harela

Sowing seven kinds of seeds ten days before
Cutting the green shoots on Harela morning
Elders placing harela shoots on the heads of the young
The blessing "Ji raya, jagi raya"
Clay dikare of Shiva and Parvati
Planting trees across the state

How to wish well

A wish that talks of green fields, rain and long life fits Harela well.
"Ji raya, jagi raya" is the loving blessing elders give; it is lovely to share with family.
Harela is also tree planting day, so a wish with a promise to plant a sapling is a good touch.
For colleagues and customers, a simple wish for growth and a green year is warm and safe.

Questions about Harela

When is Harela?

On Shravan Sankranti, the first day of the month of Shravan, which falls on 16 or 17 July. The date for each year is shown on this page.

What does Harela mean?

Harela means "day of green". It celebrates the monsoon, new crops and the green of the hills.

How is Harela celebrated?

Families sow seeds ten days before, cut the green shoots on the day, offer them to the gods and place them on the heads of family members with blessings. Many people also plant trees.

What is the Harela blessing?

Elders say "Ji raya, jagi raya" and more lines that wish long life, health, wisdom and plenty.

Is Harela a holiday?

Yes, Harela is a holiday in Uttarakhand, and the state holds a large tree planting drive on the day.

Where is Harela celebrated?

Mostly in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, and by Kumaoni families across India.