Celebrated during the rainy season in Shimla, Rhyali
festival is of much importance over here. Since most people here depend
on agriculture to earn their livelihood, the rains are an absolute must.
Rhyali festival is celebrated to keep the rain Gods happy so that the
agricultural produce does not get affected. The Rhyali festival is
celebrated during the first day of the month of Shravana (July). This is
a formal announcement of the arrival of the monsoons in Shimla.
The traditional ceremony begins with the sowing of seeds of five to
seven different crops like wheat, barley, etc. some ten days before the
official date of the celebration. The head of a family or a priest
usually does this ritual. These seeds are sown in a small basket that is
filled with earth and is kept near the household or a place where the
idols of Gods are kept.
A day before the actual celebration a mock wedding takes place that
symbolizes the holy marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Clay statues of
the Gods are placed near the saplings. The place is cleaned spic and
span and offerings like fruits and flowers are kept near the idols. The
priest chants prayers and prays that the greenery and fertility of the
fields never goes away. This is followed by some more rituals after
which the ceremony finally ends.
Given here is information on Rhyali festival of
Shimla city of India.