Hola Mohalla

The Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla is celebrated in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab the day after Holi, the festival of colours. Hola Mohalla was started by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, in 1701 as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles, who was at that time battling the Mughal Empire. It is a time for Sikhs to reaffirm their commitment to the community and involves everyone. As many as 1 million pilgrims and visitors from all over Punjab start converging at the holy town of Anandpur Sahib a week before Holi. Maximum attendance at Anandpur Sahib is on the Hola Mohalla day of the Nihangs. The Nihangs are easily identifiable by their distinctive rich blue robes and large turbans, which are often embellished with small weapons. The Mohalla celebrations kick off with martial arts display, as traditional Nihang warriors treat visitors and pilgrims to impromptu exhibitions of individual prowess with weapons of the yore, keeping alive a skill that would not have survived, had it not been for the patronage that it enjoys from the Sikh masses. At the Holla Mohalla fair one can also observe at close quarters the tradition of Langar or the Community kitchen. Different Sikh congregations vie with each other to attract pilgrims and visitors to their Langars. All are welcome irrespective of caste, creed, religion or station in life. This tradition of sharing ones bounty with strangers is integral to the Sikh philosophy, enduring traditions and hospitality.