Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
India

Hola Mohalla: Punjab's rich and colourful tradition

Jaideep Sarin IANS, 04 Mar, 2015 10:11 PM

    Anandpur Sahib (Punjab), March 5 (IANS) A day assigned for mock battles for his troops by the 10th guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, has come to be the symbol of Punjab's own rich religious and cultural tradition. The festival of 'Hola Mohalla', as it is known, takes place this weekend in this Sikh religious town.

    Hola Mohalla, celebrated a day after Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, has carved out its own unique place in Punjab's and Sikh religion's calendar. The festival made its beginning around 1701 as Guru Gobind Singh wanted his troops to have mock battles to keep them battle ready.

    Tens of thousands of Nihang Sikhs assemble in this town, home to Takht Keshgarh Sahib, the second holiest of Sikh shrines (after Harmandar Sahib or Golden Temple in Amritsar), every year to be part of the festival.

    The shrine is famous as it was here that Guru Gobind Singh founded the 'Khalsa Panth', the modern day Sikh religion, in April 1699.

    During the festivities, various sects (deras) of Nihangs go in a procession from the main gurdwara and pass through the holy town.

    The procession then culminates at a stadium where the Nihang Sikhs perform 'Gatka', a traditional form of martial art in which age-old weapons and equipment are used to showcase mock battles.

    "It is an amazing sight to see the Gatka performance. The festivity around the procession and the colourful atmosphere make it a great spectacle to watch," travel writer and author Puneetinder Kaur Sidhu told IANS.

    Though the Hola Mohalla festivities earlier used to be essentially mock combat based, these have gradually also turned into a politico-religious affair.

    Leading political parties hold their political conferences before the main event. Millions of devout assemble at the shrine to offer prayers on the occasion.

    "It is such an enriching and unique experience to be part of the Hola Mohalla. We have been bringing groups of foreigners from various countries since 2009 to see the event.

    "They are amazed at what is on display. The weaponry and colourful atmosphere are a thing to experience," Harkirat Ahluwalia, who runs a tented luxury farm resort near Hoshiarpur, 75 km from here, told IANS.

    Ahluwalia is all set to bring a group of 22 Germans for the Hola Mohalla this year.

    "The groups of Nihang Sikhs converge here on foot, on horse backs, elephants, trucks, tractor-trolleys and other vehicles," Sidhu said. "It is a spectacle."

    In the buildup to the main event of Hola Mohalla, all roads and highways leading to Anandpur Sahib are choked with people being ferried on trucks, buses and other modes of transport.

    This year is no different -- a virtual sea of humanity is set to throng Anandpur Sahib.

    (Jaideep Sarin can be contacted at jaideep.s@ians.in)

    MORE India ARTICLES

    RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Mother Teresa Comments Kick Up Storm India

    RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Mother Teresa Comments Kick Up Storm India
    RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comments on Mother Teresa kicked up a furore as political parties and Christian groups Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi show that he meant every word of his assurance last week that he would not tolerate inciting of religious hatred.

    RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Mother Teresa Comments Kick Up Storm India

    Rahul Gandhi Goes On A Break; Congress Defends Move, BJP Slams Absence

    Rahul Gandhi Goes On A Break; Congress Defends Move, BJP Slams Absence
    Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has taken "leave of absence" to reflect on a series of electoral defeats for his party and chart its future course, the party announced Monday, drawing an critical response for the BJP who slammed him for "holidaying" during the "important" budget session of parliament.

    Rahul Gandhi Goes On A Break; Congress Defends Move, BJP Slams Absence

    RSS Chief's Comment On Mother Teresa Sparks Controversy

    RSS Chief's Comment On Mother Teresa Sparks Controversy
    RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comments on Mother Teresa Monday evoked controversy but the organisation denied he had criticised the Nobel laureate who spent her life in the service of the destitute.

    RSS Chief's Comment On Mother Teresa Sparks Controversy

    Uber Rape Case: Hc To Hear Accused's Plea To Recall Witnesses Tuesday

    Uber Rape Case: Hc To Hear Accused's Plea To Recall Witnesses Tuesday
    The Delhi High Court Tuesday will hear rape-accused Uber cab driver Shiv Kumar Yadav's plea seeking direction to recall 28 prosecution witnesses in the case for further cross examination.

    Uber Rape Case: Hc To Hear Accused's Plea To Recall Witnesses Tuesday

    Karate Master Crucifies Himself For Jayalalithaa's Return As CM

    Karate Master Crucifies Himself For Jayalalithaa's Return As CM
    Karate master Shihan Hussaini Monday got himself crucified for the return of AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa as the Tamil Nadu chief minister.

    Karate Master Crucifies Himself For Jayalalithaa's Return As CM

    Indian Aid Worker Freed By Taliban After 8 Months, Modi 'Delighted'

    Indian Aid Worker Freed By Taliban After 8 Months, Modi 'Delighted'
    India secured the freedom of aid worker Father Alexis Premkumar Antonysamy, eight months after he was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday expressed happiness at the release and spoke to Father Alexis.

    Indian Aid Worker Freed By Taliban After 8 Months, Modi 'Delighted'