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About Hareli

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About Hareli

Hareli is the first festival of the year in Chhattisgarh and a festival of farmers. It falls on the new moon of Sawan, in July or August, when the paddy has been sown and the fields turn green. The name comes from hariyali, greenery.

In the morning farmers wash their ploughs, spades and other tools and offer puja to them in the courtyard. Cattle are bathed and fed, and families pray for good rain and a rich harvest. Neem branches are tied at the doors of homes for good health in the rainy season.

Children and young people walk on gedi, tall bamboo stilts made for the day, and villages hold gedi races and games. Homes make cheela and other rice dishes, and friends visit one another with good wishes.

Hareli is a state holiday in Chhattisgarh, and it is now kept with pride in towns and cities as well as in the villages.

How people celebrate Hareli

  • Puja of the plough and farm tools
  • Bathing and feeding the cattle
  • Neem branches tied at the doors
  • Walking and racing on gedi stilts
  • Cheela and rice dishes at home
  • Prayers for rain and a good harvest

How to wish well

  • Wishes about green fields, rain, farmers and a good harvest suit the day.
  • "Hareli tihar ki badhai" is a warm way to greet in Hindi.
  • Gedi is a fun theme for wishes to children and friends.
  • For colleagues from Chhattisgarh, a short wish for health and a good harvest is perfect.

Questions about Hareli

When is Hareli 2027?

Hareli in 2027 falls on 2 August, the new moon of Sawan in the Chhattisgarh calendar.

Why is Hareli celebrated?

To honour the farm tools and cattle after sowing and to pray for good rain and a rich harvest.

What is gedi?

Gedi are tall bamboo stilts. Children and young people walk and race on them on Hareli.

Why are neem branches tied on Hareli?

Neem branches are tied at the doors as a sign of protection and good health in the rainy season.

Is Hareli a holiday?

Yes, Hareli is a public holiday in Chhattisgarh.

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