Holla Mohalla Festival

Holla Mohalla is a very important festival of the Sikh community which begins on the first day of lunar month Chet according to Nanakshahi Calendar. The festival mostly co- incides with the sikh new year falling on the month of march. It is a one week long festival celebration accompanied by fighting to prove bravery, singing kirtans etc. In the noon devotees sit on the ground in rows and a special lunch mainly fully vegetarian is served, known as Langar, by the volunteers. On the final day the festival is climaxed by a long military style procession Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib,a very sacred place for the Sikhs.

Etymology
According to some the name Holla Mohalla has originated from the terms Holla and Mohalla which literally means Halla (a military charge) and an organized procession. Thus the word Holla Mohalla stands for the charge of an army. Dr.M.S. Ahluwaliya says that it refers to the movement or the proceeding of an organized army column from one Gurdwara to another. Hola is sometimes believed to be the masculine form of Holi. Holi is a Hindu spring festival of colors which takes place the day before Holla and it is believed that it mayhave originated to differentiate the Sikh festival from Holi.

History
The festival have its history dating back to the tenth sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It is said that nearly around 1701, Guru Gobind Singh who had recently established Khalsa Panth fighting force was busy fighting with both the Aurangzeb of the Mughal Dynasty and the hill rajputs. On February 22of the same year ,it is believed that Guru Gobind Singh organized a new tradition of competions in mock battles and poetry contests. The tradition has evolved from there and has now widely spread from Anandpur Sahib to Kirtarpur Sahib ,the Shivaliks and to other Gurudwaras.

Nihang Singhs – warriors
Nihang Singhs are believed to be modern days toughened warriors and the descendants of the army of Guru Gobind Singh. They are more popular for their being military in nature and their traditional robes and large turbans. They still carry the traditional weapons called Kripans, and are also trained. They are also very efficient in horse riding and specifically archery.