Holi 2020: Celebrate This Year’s Hola Mohalla In Anandpur Sahib

Thinking of Punjab, what pops up in the minds of people is ‘Balle Balle’ or ‘Lassi’ or ‘Bhangra’. Very few scream ‘Hola’. After reading this, you will surely relate Punjab with ‘Hola’ from the next time. Without a doubt, Punjab is a rich state in terms of food, tourism, culture, festivals and pilgrimage.

The platter of this state has always been full of stories of audacious heroes who have sacrificed their lives for their land. ‘Hola’ or ‘Hola Mohalla’ is one such festival which is celebrated to honour the braves. People actively participate in it, celebrate it but the history remains unveiled to them. So, let us know the dynamic history of Hola Mohalla. Let us find out why reaching Anandpur Sahib for Hola Mohalla’s celebrations is necessary!

Hola Mohalla is followed by Holi but coincides with it many a times. Hola Mohalla is synonymous to ‘Anandpur Sahib’. This pious place is almost eighty kilometres away from Chandigarh city. Anandpur Sahib’s land was chosen by the Sikh Guru Dashmesh Pita ‘Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’ for the initiation of Hola Mohalla.

It was in 1700 that Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked the people to show their audacity to the rivals in the form their breath-taking martial arts and fighting skills with swords,  horse riding, wrestling, Chakri, etc. This marked the beginning of the celebration of Hola Mohalla. Since then, every year martial arts parade, horse riding, mock fights etc. are carried out in the Anandpur Sahib on this date which has kept the ‘fearless’ ritual alive.

The exhibition of ancient and modern weapons, the showcase of ‘Gatka’ which is the sikh martial arts, the poetry competitions, the bhangra performances, the langar and most important of all, sugarcane in the form of ‘Prasad’ are the attractions of the Hola Mohalla festival in Anandpur Sahib.

Not forgetting the usage of ‘Red’ colour which is a symbol of bravery and boldness, the Hola Mohalla is celebrated with great enthusiasm. So, if you plan to celebrate Hola Mohalla, celebrate it within the boundaries of Anandpur Sahib. It will definitely be the greatest experience of all times.