Hola Mahalla - Sikh Holiday

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San Jose Sikh Gurdwara Celebrates

Hola ah All


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Hola Mahalla (or Hola Mohalla) is a Sikh festival that takes place on the first lunar month of C

month of March). Established by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, this tradition follows the Hindu festiva

Hola Mahalla stands for mock fight and unlike Holi, the Guru made this occasion for the Si

their martial skills in simulated battles. The first of its kind was held at Anandpur in Fe

Details :


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Background :

Since 1701, Shivaliks in Ropar district (especially

around Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib) have been

playing host to Hola Mahalla. The military exercise,

which was personally supervised by the guru, was

carried out on the bed of the River Charan Ganga with

the famous Hindu temple of Mata Naina Devi in the

Shivaliks.

This annual festival is held at An

Punjab and now replicated at o

worldwide. It was started by the

gathering of Sikhs for military ex

battles at Anandpur Sahib. It is a

of bravery and defense pre


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3 Days of Celebrations :Hola Mahalla is a three-day-long festival, featuring mock battles, exhibitions, display of weap

followed by kirtan, music and poetry competitions. The participants perform Gatka (mock en

weapons), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding, standing erect on two speeding horses and var

bravery.

On the last day a long procession, led by the Panj Pyaras, starts from Takhat Keshgarh Sahib,

religious seats, and passes through various important Gurdwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Lohgar

and terminates at the Takhat (Keshgarh).


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Hola Mahalla and Anandpur Shaib :

Anandpur Shaib (lit. City of Bliss) is located in

of Punjab. It was here at Anandpur that on Ba

Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave birth to the Khalsa

original Panj Piare and inaugurated the order

(holy warriors) who pledged their dedication t

only Sikhs, but their fellow countrymen and th

rights as well.

The order of the Khalsa, at the wish of Guru G

Ji, would henceforth be distinguished by five s

the Five Ks: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (comb(trousers), Kara (steel bracelet) and Kirpan (sw

they could easily be recognized by anyone und

were further instructed to live to the highest et

standards, and to be always ready to fight tyra

injustice.


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Anandpur Sahib has witness many significant events throughout Sikh hithe Hola Mahalla festival. The festival has now lost much of its origin

significance, but Sikhs in large numbers still assemble at Anandpur Sh

impressive and colorful procession is taken out in which the Nihangs form

while parading their skills in the use of arms, horsemanship, tent - pegg

war-like sports.

Hola Mahalla and

Shaib contin


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Warlike Sports of the Nihangs :

The Nihangs are designated as Guru's Knights or the Guru's beloved. They ca

ambience and heroic style that was cultivated during the lifetime of Guru Gobi

Nihangs are readily recognized by their dark blue loose apparel and their ampl

festooned with quoits, insignia of the Khalsa and rosaries, all made of steel. Th

armed, and usually seen mounted heavily laden with weapons such as swords, rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

The week long festival of Hola Mahalla concludes at Gurdwara Holgarh Sahib

Guru Gobind Singh Ji introduced the celebration of Hola in 1701. The Guru m

occasion to demonstrate skills in simulated battle, which is presently carried ou

Nihangs.

The martial arts exhibited by the Nihangs provide a picture of their skills and

visitors as well as the tourist. Because of its great historical, socio-religious, an

significance, the Hola Mahalla festival can impressively contribute to a greater

Sikh heritage as well as foster sustainable development of community tourism.

Documents

Hola Mahalla - Sikh Holiday