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Holla Mohalla is a
Sikh festival celebrated in the month of Phalguna , a day after Holi.An
annual festival held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Hola Mohalla was started
by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, as a gathering of Sikhs for military
exercises and mock battles on the day following the festival of Holi. It
reminds the people of valour and defence preparedness, concepts dear to the
Tenth Guru who was at that time battling the Mughal empire. On this
three-day festival mock battles are held followed by music and poetry
competitions. The Nihang Singhs (members of the Sikh army that was founded
by Guru Govind Singh) carry on the martial tradition with mock battles and
displays of swordsmanship and horse riding. They perform daring feats, such
as Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding and standing
erect on two speeding horses. |
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There are
also a number of durbars where Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present and kirtan
and religious lectures take place. Sporting shining swords, long spears,
conical turbans, the Nihangs present a fierce picture as they gallop past on
horseback spraying colors on people.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 pilgrim who eat
while sitting in rows on the ground
The tenth guru Gobind Singh felt that Holi, had lost its original meaning
over the years. It was no longer a celebration to reaffirm fraternity and
brotherhood. In 1757 AD he decided to revive the spirit of Holi and weave
its essence into a festival created in the Khalsa traditions. Holla Mohalla
is celebrated in the month of Phalguna a day after Holi.
Early morning prayers at the gurdwaras mark the beginning of the festival.
The Guru Grantha Sahib is brought out with ceremony and placed on the dais.
It is given a symbolic bath with milk and water. Akhandapathas, Kar seva,
Shabads and Kirtans are performed The Karah Prasad is distributed to the
congregation, after it has been consecrated by the guru. At noon, men and
women from all castes and creed eat together at the guru ka langar.
Stories are narrated about the bravery of Guru Govind Singh in prose and
verse. Tribute is also accorded to Guru Har Gobind, who led his army to free
52 captive kings from the Gwalior jail in 1612 AD.
Colorful processions are organized on Holla Mohalla. Sikhs, especially the
Nihangs, dressed in their traditional martial costumes, display their skills
in archery, sword fencing, horse riding and shooting. Battles are enacted
and ancient cannons fired to focus on the training required for war.
Holla Mohalla is an occasion for the Sikhs to reaffirm their commitment to
the Khalsa Panth
Celebration of Holla Mohalla
Holla Mohalla is celebrated to reaffirm fraternity and brotherhood and
reminding people of "valour and defence preparedness", concepts very dear to
the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh ji.
Colorful processions are organized on the occassion of Holla Mohalla,
particularly in Anandpur Sahib and Muktsar(both in Indian Punjab). Sikhs,
especially the Nihangs, dressed in their traditional martial costumes form
part of the pageant.
Mock battles are also held followed by music,poetry and other competitions.
The Nihang Singhs (members of the Sikh army founded by Guru Govind Singh)
portray their skills with mock battles and displays of swordsmanship and
horse riding. The Nihang Singhs also perform daring feats, such as Gatka
(mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding and standing erect on
two speeding horses.
Recently, the Indian Goverment had accorded Holla Mohalla the status of a "
National Festival".
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