of March, a day after Holi. Hola "Mohalla" derives its name from
Punjabi word "Mohalla" implies an organized Procession in the form of
an army column accompanied by war drums and standard-bearers, and
proceeding to a given location or moving in state from one Gurdwara to
another.
he festival was started by the tenth Sikh Guru – Guru Govind Singh who
had tried to gather Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles
after Holi. This has now become a traditional annual festival of Sikhs
held at Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib in Punjab. The festival also
marks the New Year as per lunar Nanakshahi calendar of Sikhs. It is
celebrated over three days and it retains the character of fun and joy
of Holi which concludes a day before.
Even today, Sikhs celebrate this festival joyfully by watching and
performing in martial arts parades, led by the Nishan Sahibs of the
Gurdwaras. Which is then, followed by poetry readings and music
competitions. But viewing it closely might be risky for spectators as
the participants who perform Holla Mohalla fight hard with one another
even though they do not fight in reality. The celebration has been
recognized as a National Festival by the Govt. of India and it is
being celebrated in the state of Punjab since 1701
