In the previous post, we talked about Holi, the most colourful festival of India. Let’s us now, look at another phase of Holi, that is “Hola Mohalla” or call it simply Hola. This is a Sikh festival that takes place on the first of the lunar month of Chet which usually falls in the month of March. This day is primarily celebrated in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab the day next to Holi.
Hola Mohalla was introduced to the world by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, in 1701 as an assembly of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles, who were battling the Mughals. The word “Mohalla” is taken from the Arabic root hal (alighting, descending) and is also Punjabi word that implies an organized parade in the form of an army pier. But unlike Holi, the Hola Mohalla is an occasion when people of Sikh community demonstrate their martial skills in virtual battles.
At this time Sikhs restate their pledge to the community. Over a million travellers and visitors from all over Punjab unite together at the holy town of Anandpur Sahib a week before Holi. The celebration of the Hola continues for 3 days and kicks off with a parade displaying martial arts. There is a huge and vibrant fair in the area where round the clock Langar parsad is distributed. Immaterial of the financial status of the people, everyone sits together to eat Langer. Different Sikh worshipers complete with each other to attract pilgrims and visitors to their Langar. Though this festival is mainly celebrated by Sikhs, but there is no caste boundaries. People from everywhere, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or station in life are warmly welcomed. This tradition of sharing ones abundance with strangers is fundamental to the Sikh philosophy, ethnicities and hospitality.
This day of Hola Mohalla is whole-heartedly celebrated by watching and participating in martial arts processions, led by Nishan Sahibs of the Gurdwaras. On the other hand, ladies of the communities, participate in preparation of the Langar. The celebration is also followed by poetry readings and music.
This is yet another shade of Indian festivals which fills the hearts of the populace and travellers with enthusiasm. But this is just the third month of the years, there are many more festivals which continues to raise the spirits of people all through the year, differently in different parts of this multi-cultured country. Explore the different moods of Indian festivals with Destino’s India