Punjabi festival
Hola Mohalla — ਹੋਲਾ ਮਹੱਲਾ
holā mahallā
March · the day after Holi, at Anandpur Sahib
Hola Mohalla was started by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib in 1701 as a martial counterpart to Holi. For three days Nihang Sikhs in blue robes display gatka swordsmanship, horse-riding and mock battles, followed by kirtan, poetry and huge community langars.
Greetings in Punjabi
ਹੋਲੇ ਮਹੱਲੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ
hole mahalle dīāṅ vadhāīāṅ
"Happy Hola Mohalla!"
universal
ਬੋਲੇ ਸੋ ਨਿਹਾਲ, ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ!
bole so nihāl, sat srī akāl!
"Whoever proclaims is blessed — True is the Timeless Lord!"
Sikh jaikara (rallying cry)
Customs & traditions
- ✦Gatka (Sikh martial art) demonstrations
- ✦Nihang horse-riding and mock battles
- ✦Processions (mahalla) with nishan sahib flags and drums
- ✦Community langar for lakhs of visitors
Traditional foods
ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਦ
kaṛāh praśād
Sacred wheat-flour, ghee and sugar offering
ਲੰਗਰ
laṅgar
Free community meal served at the gurdwara
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