Amidst the global struggle against climate change, the Harela festival celebrates maternal power’s vow to make Earth green and lush. Women come together to sow Harela, worship deities, and engage in green activities, highlighting the crucial role of nurturing the environment. Former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari advocates for Harela to be recognized internationally as a solution to global warming, while local communities and organizations pledge to protect and preserve nature through tree planting initiatives.
Harela Festival Celebrates Maternal Power and Environmental Conservation Efforts
Today marks the celebration of the traditional folk festival, Harela, where maternal power takes center stage in a vow to make the Earth green and lush. The festival, which involves the sowing of Harela on Mondays, was joyously celebrated with various rituals and activities.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the Women’s Mangal Dal coming together to sow Harela collectively, accompanied by soulful bhajans and kirtans. The act of worshiping deities during Harela is believed to bring prosperity and greenery to the Earth, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation.
Women actively participated in green activities throughout the festival, underlining their crucial role in preserving the environment. Many shared insights on the significance of Harela, further promoting awareness about the festival’s traditions.
Families joined in the festivities by sowing Harela in their homes and offering prayers to the deities. Children received blessings from senior family members as they took part in the symbolic act of sowing Harela, passing down traditions from one generation to the next.
The importance of Harela in combating global issues like climate change was discussed at the Harela Awareness Seminar by former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Koshyari advocated for international recognition of Harela as International Tree Day, echoing the sentiments of Vijaypal Baghel, Chairman of the Indian Tree Foundation, who called for a dedicated day to honor trees.
Community efforts to protect the environment were also highlighted during the festival, with the Gorakhali Improvement Committee pledging to safeguard plants through planting initiatives. Students actively participated by planting trees to raise awareness about forest conservation, further emphasizing the importance of environmental sustainability.
In a commendable gesture, the Him Foundation distributed plants to students, promoting a culture of environmental responsibility and conservation. The Harela festival serves as a reminder of the power of unity, tradition, and maternal influence in nurturing a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.