Chhattisgarh, a state in India, celebrates the Hareli festival as the first traditional folk festival of the year. Observed during the Krishna Paksha Amavasya of the Shravan month, Hareli holds great importance for farmers and all Chhattisgarh residents. It symbolizes the beginning of the sowing season and is a celebration of nature and agriculture. Farmers conduct their farming activities like plowing, sowing, and transplanting before the festival. The festival strengthens the bond between people and their land.
Hareli highlights the deep connection between humans and nature, emphasizing gratitude for the land and tools that sustain life. The festival is marked by traditional rituals and customs, including the worship of agricultural tools like the plow, hoe, and spade, which are cleaned and placed in the courtyard for worship. The farmers also worship their family deities. Women prepare traditional dishes like ‘cheela,’ a sweet pancake made from rice flour, which is offered to the deities. The festival also involves children enjoying ‘Gendi,’ a traditional game played on bamboo stilts, along with various sports competitions.
During Hareli, people hang neem leaves and branches on their doors, believing it protects against evil and diseases. Blacksmiths offer blessings by placing neem leaves and hammering nails on the door frames, further reinforcing the belief in protection. The festival also features coconut-throwing competitions in villages and cities, adding to the festive atmosphere. Hareli is a celebration of nature, agriculture, community, and the rich cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh.