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Hola Mohalla or Hola Mahalla or simply Hola is a Sikh festival that takes place on the first of the lunar month of Chet, which usually falls in March. This, by a tradition estabished by Guru Gobind Singh, follows the Hindu festival of Holi by one day; Hola is the masculine form of the feminine sounding Holi. The word "Mohalla" is derived from the Arabic root hal (alighting, descending) and is a Punjabi word that implies an organized procession in the form of an army column. But unlike Holi, when people playfully sprinkle color, dry or mixed in water, on each other, the Guru made Hola Mohalla an occasion for the Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles.
The words 'Hola Mohalla' stand for 'mock battle'. 'Hola Mohalla' is an occasion for Sikhs to demonstrate Gatka, display weapons etc.
‘Holla Mohalla’, was started by Guru Gobind Singh ji, the tenth Nanak for infusing martial spirit amongst the Sikhs well before the birth of the Khalsa in 1699. Guru Gobind Singh ji had felt the need to revive the spirit of Holi, and weave its essence into a festival created in the Khalsa traditions. Thus in 1701 A.D. the Sikh festival “Holla Mohalla” came into being to reaffirm fraternity and brotherhood.
Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib in Punjab have been playing host to Hola Mohalla since then.
On this three-day festival, the Nihang Singhs (members of the Sikh army founded by Guru Gobind Singh ji) perform daring feats, such as Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding and standing erect on two speeding horses. Several kirtan and religious lectures are organized followed by music and poetry competitions. On the last day a long procession, led by Panj Pyaras, starts from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh religious seats, and passes through various important Gurudwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Lohgarh Sahib, Mata Jitoji and terminates at the Takht (Sri Kesgarh Sahib).
Holla Mohalla is celebrated a day after the Indian Festival of Colors – The Holi. On this three-day festival the Nihang Singhs (members of the Sikh army founded by Guru Gobind Singh ji) perform daring feats, such as Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding and standing erect on two speeding horses. Several kirtan and religious lectures are organized followed by music and poetry competitions. 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(Keshgarh Sahib).
