Inderjeet S.Bhatia ‘Prince ‘
HOLA MOHALLA, also reffered to as HOLA, is a 3 day long Sikh festival that was established by the 10th Sikh Guru, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji in the spring of 1701 at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.This festival was started by 10th Sikh Guru as a way of showcasing to the world what the Sikhs have — from strength at battles to shared sense of community. According to historian Thomson, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji organised the 1st procession of HOLA MOHALLA accompanied by drums in Anandpur Sahib on 22nd February 1701 AD.This new tradition of overseeing mock battles and poetry contests at Lohgarh Fort, Anandpur Sahib, has since spread from the town of Aanadpur Sahib to near by Kiratpur Sahib and the foothills of Shivalik ,and to other Gurdwaras around the world. Normally it falls in the month of March. It takes place on the 2nd day of the lunar month of Chet, usually one day after the Hindu festival of Holi but sometimes coincides with it.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji summoned his followers to Anandpur Sahib on the day of popular Hindu festival of Holi in 1701 AD.It is believed that the festival of Holi and the story of Holika Dehan was very popular amongst the followers of Sikhism. Guru ji thought of introducing the martial element in the celebration of Holi. Then there was a popular story of child Bhagat Parhlad who would not accept his father ,the king Harnaakashp as God. In order to please her brother, Holika ,the sister of Harnaakashp sat on a pyre with child Bhagat Parhlad in her lap hoping that the magical powers of his brother will save her and the child Bhagat Parhlad will perish once the pyre was lit.But when the pyre was lit , the child Prahlad survived and it was Holika who perished in it. This story confirms the belief that it is the truth that triumphs over the evil .This was the principle upon which the Sikh festival of HOLA MOHALLA was established. Guru ji introduced a rally there one day after the festival of Holi where his followers could practice manoeuvers and combat training. Guru ji made Hola, an occasion for his followers to demonstrate their martial arts in staged battles. This probably was done to forestall a grimmer battle against the Mughals and some hilly Rajas who were acting against Guru ji at the behest of Imperial forces. It was also to channelise people’s energy to some useful activities. HOLA, thus became an annual event to be held in an open ground near Lohgarh, a fort across the river Charan Ganga ,flowing to the north west end of Anandpur Sahib.
HOLA is the masculine form of the feminine word Holi, The word MOHALLA is derived from the Arabic root hal ( alighting or decending ) ,is a Punjabi word that implies an organised procession in the form of an army column.
But unlike Holi,where people playfully sprinkle color, dry or mixed in water, HOLA is an occasion for the Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles. HOLA MOHALLA has since been accorded the status of a national festival by the Govt of India :
“This annual 3 days long festival held in Anandpur Sahib in Punjab and now replicated at other Gurdwaras world wide was started by the 10th Sikh Guru, GURU GOBIND SINGH SAHIB JI as a gathering of the Sikhs for miliary exercises and mock battles on a day following the Hindu festival of Holi.It reminds people of valour and defense preparedness, the concepts dear to the 10th Sikh Guru who was at that time fighting against the mighty Mughal empire and also some hilly Kings who were acting against Guru ji at the behest of Imperial forces.”
The festivities start with early morning prayers at the Gurudwara Sahib. Devotional music and the recital of Shabad Gurbaani follows. Stories are told about the valour of Sikh Gurus. After prayers, a number of festivities take place simultaneously .From the main Gurudwara Sahib , celebrations move to the Charan Ganga stadium. At the stadium, participants put up a display of skills. The remarkable feats of courage, skill and discipline attract a large crowd who watch the festivities. Horsemanship plays a huge role in the festivities. The display of horse riding goes beyond the basic with some taking on daredevils acts,riding not one or two but three and sometimes even four horses at the same time.Friendly competitions of sword fighting are held with Nihang fighting from the different groups displaying their skills in the art.
There are also a number of Kirtan Darbars where Kirtan and religious lectures take place in the holy presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A long procession, led by Panj Pyaras starts on the 3rd and last day of this festival from Takhat Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh religious seats. It passes through various important Gurudwaras like Qila Anandpur, Lohgarh Sahib, Mata Jito Ji and finally terminates at Takhat Keshgarh Sahib ji. Sikhs pay homage to to the warriors who fought and sacrificed their lives for their country and community.
For devotees visiting Anandpur Sahib, free community langars are organised by the local people as, a part of “Sewa”.Raw materials like wheat, rice ,vegetables, milk or sugar and so on are provided by the villagers living nearby. Women volunteer to cook and others take part in cleaning utensils and other manual tasks that need to be carried out. Traditional cuisine is served to the pilgrims visiting Anandpur Sahib who eat while sitting in rows on the ground (Pangat)
Having been the abode of the last two Sikh Gurus for more than 20 years, Sri Anandpur Sahib was witness to many momentous events of Sikh history, including the “,HOLA MOHALLA ” festival which is now an annual feature. Devotees, especially the Sikhs from all over the world flock to Sri Anandpur Sahib ji to experience this festival. HOLA MOHALLA holds immense religious significance for the Sikhs. Sadly, the festival has now lost much of its original military significance ,but Sikhs throng this historical place in tens of thousands to pay their obeisance.This festival impressively contributes to a greater awareness of Sikh heritage.
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