Mukteshwar Times

This July 16, 2009 we in the hills will be celebrating the Harela festival – to mark harvesting time. Apple, peaches and apricot plantations are ready to be harvested. All the villagers will bathe, wear clean cloths and get together at the temple of the local deity to pray and thank God for a good harvest. They will make an offering of maize or wheat that they have grown in their homes in a basket, for the past 11-22 days, especially for this festival. The village community will cook food and have lunch together at the temple.
--Manoj, July 12, 2009