Hola Mahalla: March 1
Hola Mahalla is a religious observance for the Sikhism followers.
Sikhs celebrate the festival of Hola Mohalla on the first day of the month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar, it may correspond to one day of the month of March since the date varies from year to year. It lasts for a whole week and several activities are displayed throughout the week by Sikh communities that join together to celebrate Hola Mohalla.
History of Hola Mahalla
The festival of Hola Mohalla is marked deeply in its origins by military influences. The word Hola comes from another word Halla which means military charge in English, and Mohalla means an organized procession of an army column, both words combined would mean a charge of an army. Even so, the whole festival is of joy and peaceful spirit. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, during his reign was surrounded by threats, as his predecessors were and many battles had already been fought by the Sikhs against their enemies.
After instituting the Khalsa, or the Saint Soldiers, Guru Gobind Singh organized a day with his forces of practicing fights, battles and poetry contests. It not only had the intention of being a way to keep his soldiers on their toes and ready to fight their enemies, but also was a way to keep the Sikhs attentions distracted from the Hindu Holi festival, in which Hindus playfully throw colors at each other. The tradition was quickly picked up by all Gurdwaras and is today the biggest festival in Anandpur. It is day that the Nihang Singhs, or the ascetic Sikh warriors, that dress with blue robes and big turbans, are seen and revered at the festival as they perform their skills in fencing, jousting, archery and horseback riding.
Hola Mahalla Traditions, Customs and Activities
The day starts early with the morning prayers at the gurdwaras, Sikh worship places. The Guru Granth Sahib is also taken out of its place and ceremoniously bathed with milk and water, after this ritual it is placed back in its rightful place. During lunch everybody sits in rows, or pangats, and eats Langar, which is free vegetarian food served by volunteers. During the afternoon and evening activities the Nihang Singhs show their skills in gatkas, war like displays with sword fights, horse riding stunts, martial combats, archery and battles. During the whole day there are music, dance and poetry competitions. At the end of the festival there is a big procession, like a military parade, with war drums and standard bearers, the procession will visit all the gurdwaras in the region.
Other interesting posts:
- Vaisakhi is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Har Rai is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Nanak is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh is a Sikh religious observance
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