Jee rayai, Jag rayai; Tishtiyai, panapiya (Long live, Be vigilant, Be satisfied and flourish……)
are the blessings which the parents bestows upon their children from the core of their heart on the auspicious day of Harela. Harela is a symbol of greenery, gaiety, pleasure and prosperity. It indicates the concern which our forefather had for ecology and environment. Mythological importance of Herala lies in the fact that Lord Shiva and Parvati’s marriage is believed to have taken place on this day.
On this day newly married girls anxious to visit their paternal homes look for someone to escort them to their paternal homes. They visit their paternal homes to offer Harela to their brothers and to take the blessings of their father, mother and and elders.Harela is celebrated on the 10th day of Navratras, which normally falls on 16 July. There are three Navratras, i.e. a holy period of nine days Chatra Shukla Dasmi is the first Navratra which falls in March/April, the next is Shravan Krishna Dasami which falls in July.August and the third in Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dasami, i.e. September.October. Devotees of Maa Durga pray every day during the Navratras and observe fast for nine days. On the tenth day offerings are given in honour of Maa Durga. The Shravan Krishna Dasami (July-August) Herala is celebrated all over Kumaon. In fact this is a festival which is celebrated to mark the advent of rainy season. It falls on the first day of Shravan (July). On this day the Sun enters the house of Moon and the days start receding. The seeds of about five or seven kinds of grains, i.e. wheat, barley, maze, horse-bean, mustard, Jhungar, Bhatt (soyabean) or Gahat (Ghauat) etc. are mixed together ten days prior to the Harela and sown in pots inside a dark room. Small baskets or pots numbering two, five or seven are filled with earth and are kept inside the house.
The family priest or the elder member of the family sprinkles the seeds in the baskets. Water is also sprinkled after worshipping the Gods. The baskets are kept in a dark room, so that the sunlight or sunrays do not fall on them. This is done for two reasons. This way Harela becomes yellow and the growth of the plant becomes faster, because every plant has a tendency to grow in the direction of the sunlight. In order to attract sunlight the plants try to grow faster. It is also a test of the seeds available with the family. Thus the people are able to know about the quality of the seed sown by them. The seeds are watered regularly. The Harela is given a time period of ten days to germinate. On the ninth day ceremonial digging by a special tool is done. After digging the Herala is tied by the sacred thread called Kalawa.
On the tenth day, the seeds sprout. Yellow or light green grasses shoot out from the soil and they are plucked. It is symbolic of the flourishing of future harvest. On the last day of month of Aasarh, one day before the celebration of Harela, a mock wedding is done with small clay idols. At some places wooden hoes are also made. Gaily painted images of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh etc. are prepared and worshipped on the Shakranti day. These small idols of gods and goddesses are called Dikars. Overworked bullocks are also given a rest on the occasion of Harela. Thus the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati is celebrated and the people welcome the rainy season and the new harvest.
On the 10th day the Harela is cut and people put them on their heads and behind the ears. The method of putting Harela on the head is also prescribed. First the Harela is put on the feet. After touching the upper portion of the feet, the Harela touches the knee then chest and then shoulders. After touching the Harela on these places, some Harela blades are kept behind the ears and ultimately some Harela is kept on the head. The blades of the grass are sent to friends and relatives as well. While putting Harela on the head, the person worshipping the Harela sings the following folk song of blessings.
Jee rayai, Jag rayai; Tishtiyai, panapiya
Laag Haryaw, Laag Dasain, Laag Chait, Laag Panchami, Laag Bighauti, Laag Bagwal,
Yo din sab din bhaitan raya;
Syaw jasi buddhi ho, syoan k jas taran ho;
Dharti barabar Chakaw ho, Aasman barabar Uchch ho.
Dub k jas fabee jai; Janthi teki hagane hun jaye,
Sil pish bhat khaye,
Bach rai yo din yo maas bhaitan rai;
Yo hariyaw ka tik, agal haryaw k nyoat
Jee rayai, Jag rayai; Tishtiyai, panapiya…..
Free translation of the above is as under:
Long live, be vigilant, be satisfied and flourish.
Let the Harela, Dussehra, Chaitra, Panchami, Bighauti and the
month of Diwali, all be auspicious to you
Continue meeting us and relatives all days;
Let you have the brain of a fox and stamina of a Lion;
You should be as liberal as mother earth and
you should have the stature as high as sky;
You should have rapport with the people like the way grass spreads fast.
With the support of a stick, you should go to ease yourself;
You should eat rice, by grinding on a stone (sil)
On this day of Harela you are here and we invite you for the next Harela.
Long live, be vigilant, be satisfied and flourish……..
The significance of this festival is that this day the parents or elders of the family visit the place of their daughters and offer presents to them called Bhitauli. Likewise brothers offer presents and monetary allowance to them.
Source : http://blogs.ibibo.com/dnbaro1a/harela- ... -of-kumaon