In Pics: Hola Mohalla - A Vibrant Sikh Festival Celebrated in Anandpur Sahib

By Neha Choubey

| Updated: Friday, March 22, 2024, 14:33 [IST]

Hola Mohalla, also known as Holla Mohalla, is a vibrant 3-day Sikh festival celebrated during spring. It takes place on the second day of the lunar month of Chett, which corresponds to the first month of the Nanakshahi calendar used by Sikhs. This spirited procession occurs in Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, a district in Punjab, India. Anandpur Sahib is one of the 5 Sikh takhts (important religious seats) with historical significance.

In Pics: Hola Mohalla - A Vibrant Sikh Festival Celebrated in Anandpur Sahib

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Initiated by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Hola Mohalla gathers Sikhs to showcase their martial arts, swordsmanship, and horse-riding skills. Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself was a skilled fighter and leader who stood against the Mughal dynasty and protected the vulnerable. The festival was introduced as an alternative to Holi, emphasizing brotherhood and honoring Khalsa customs.

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Early morning prayers commence the festival, with the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the holy scripture) receiving a holy bath of milk and water. An Akhand Path, a continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, takes place. Gatka, a form of martial arts, is demonstrated by participants. People enjoy a variety of food served at Langars (community kitchens). Kirtan, music, and poetry add to the festive atmosphere.

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Hola Mohalla usually falls a day after the Hindu festival of Holi, but sometimes it coincides with Holi. In 2024, it will be celebrated from March 25th to 27th.

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The festival takes place in Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, which holds historical significance as the birthplace of Khalsa Panth. Real artifacts from that era are preserved here.

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Preparing for Hola Mohalla, the vibrant Sikh festival, involves a blend of spiritual and practical steps. Devotees engage in arduous prayers, seeking blessings and spiritual strength. They reflect on the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the significance of Hola Mohalla. An uninterrupted reading of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh holy scripture) takes place in gurdwaras. Devotees participate in this continuous recitation.

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People volunteer for Langar Seva (community kitchen service). They cook, serve, and clean at the communal kitchens, ensuring that all visitors are fed. Participants, especially the Nihangs (traditional Sikh warriors), practice Gatka, a form of martial arts. They perfect their swordsmanship, horse-riding skills, and combat techniques. Devotees wear traditional Sikh attire, including turbans, kurtas, and cholas. The vibrant colors symbolize courage and unity.

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People come together in sangat (spiritual congregation) and partake in pangat (communal meals). This fosters a sense of brotherhood and equality. Many engage in seva (selfless service) by cleaning gurdwaras, assisting the elderly, and helping with festival arrangements.

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Anandpur Sahib was founded in June 1665 by the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Previously, Guru Tegh Bahadur lived in Kiratpur, but due to disputes with other sects of Sikhism, he moved to a village called Chakk Nanaki (named after his mother) near the present-day Anandpur Sahib.

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After Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom in 1675, Sikhs renamed the town to Anandpur Sahib and crowned his son Gobind Das (later known as Guru Gobind Singh) as his successor. Guru Gobind Singh played a pivotal role in Sikh history, and it was in Anandpur Sahib that he founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699.