Holla Mohalla

                                      

Hola Mohalla is actually an annual fair that is organised in a large scale at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab (India) on the day following the festival of Holi. Practise of holding a fair of this kind was initiated by Guru Gobind Singh (1666 – 1708), the tenth Sikh guru. Purpose of the fair was to physically strengthen the Sikh community by holding military exercises and mock battles.

The festival is celebrated for three consecutive days, in which members of Sikh community display their physical strength by performing dare-devil acts like bareback horse-riding, standing erect on two speeding horses, Gatka (tradition sikh martial art), tent pegging etc. This is followed by music and poetry competition to lighten the charged up atmosphere.
 

 

 
 A number of durbars are also held where Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present and kirtan and religious lectures take place. This helps strengthening the soul of community. On the last day a long procession, led by Panj Pyaras, starts from Takth Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh religious seats, and passes through various important gurdwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Lohgarh Sahib, Mata Jitoji and terminates at the Takth.

For people visiting Anandpur Sahib, langars (voluntary community kitchens) are organized by the local people as a part of sewa (community service). Raw materials like wheat flour, rice, vegetables, milk and sugar is provided by the villagers living nearby. Women volunteer to cook and others take part in cleaning the utensils. Traditional cuisine is served to the pilgrims who eat while sitting in rows on the ground. Read More

                             Sikhs are showing dare-devil act during Hola Mohalla.