Harela Mela

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Harela Mela
Observed by Kumaoni people
TypeFair
Significance Harvest festival
Date16 - 21 July
FrequencyAnnual

Harela Mela is a fair that takes place every year from 16 July to 21 July and is usually held on the RamLeela Ground in Bhimtal. The Harela Mela commemorates celebrations surrounding the historic Kumaon festival of Harela in the state of Uttarakhand.

Contents

Significance

Harela literally means "Green/Yellow Leaves" . There are traditionally two Harela’s in a year, one in the Chaitra month of the Hindu Calendar (March / April in the Gregorian Calendar) and one in the Shravan month of the Hindu Calendar (July / August in the Gregorian Calendar), corresponding to the change of seasons. However the Harela Mela itself is held as part of the Shravan festivities which also aligns with the start of the monsoon season in India and symbolizes the crop growing season. According to local folklore, the festival also commemorates the wedding of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati. [1]

History of the Harela Mela

The Harela Mela itself has survived over 100 years. The Harela Mela possibly evolved as an extension of a farmer’s market around the harvest season. Prior to Indian independence, traders transported crops and other wares from far off places in the planes like Bareilly, Rampur, etc. to the hills of Kumaon to sell. People from the hills of Kumaon would gather to purchases these products and over time this became the Harela Mela. The Mela itself was previously held in the city centre on the ground near Lilavati Pant College but was shifted to its present location on the RamLeela ground in 1980 due to insufficient space. [2] Prior to 2013 the fair was a 2 day event organized by the Harela Khel Sanskritik Manch but owing to increasing popularity was taken over by the town municipal corporation and converted to a 5 day affair.[ citation needed ]

Political Significance

The fair also has a traditionally political aspect to it. Various local political bodies put up stalls to increase party awareness as well as recruit party members into their fold. Prior to Indian Independence, this was a meeting occasion for various freedom activists. Politicians like Narayan Dutt Tiwari started off their career by attending political programmes organized at this fair.[ citation needed ]

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Here is a list of glossary of Culture of India in alphabetical order:

Harela is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and in some regions of Himachal Pradesh. This festival is very popular in the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand, and is celebrated by the name Harela (हरेला). This name is used in some places of Garhwal but, it is not commonly used, as the festival is celebrated as Mol-Sankranti (म्वोळ-संक्रांति) or as Rai-Sagrān (रै-सग्रान). It is called Hariyali/Rihyali in Kangra, Shimla and Sirmour regions, and Dakhrain in Jubbal and Kinnaur regions of Himachal Pradesh. This festival is celebrated on the first day of Shravan-Maas (Shravan-Sankranti/Kark-Sankranti), as per the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar. This festival marks the onset of the Rainy-Season (Monsoon). They pray for a good harvest and prosperity. Harela means "Day of Green", and Agriculture-based communities in the region consider it highly auspicious, as it marks the beginning of the sowing cycle in their fields. Multiple Kauthigs/Thols/Melas (Fairs) are also organized at this festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ujjain Simhastha</span> Hindu religious mela held every 12 years

Ujjain Simhastha is a Hindu religious mela held every 12 years in the Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh, India. The name is also transliterated as Sinhastha or Singhastha. In Hindi, the fair is also called Simhasth or Sinhasth. The name derives from the fact that it is held when the Jupiter is in Leo.

References

  1. "Harela and Bhitauli: Folk Festival of Kumaon Region, Uttarakhand".
  2. "Harela Mela held on 16th - 21st July, 2018 (Not Confirmed) obeserved as an important day, its details and importance".