The Martial Arts Day
Celebrated by the Sikhs one day after Holi, Holla Mohalla is observed in Anandpur Sahib and Muktsar in Punjab. Prayers and contests in martial skills for man integral part of the festivities.
Holla Mohalla is a Sikh festival celebrated in the month of Phalguna, a day after Holi. Its origin dates back to 1757 AD. Guru Govind Singh, the tenth guru of the Sikhs and a reformativeleader, felt that Holi, the festival of colour and happiness, had lost its original meaning over the years. It was no longer a celebration to reaffirm fraternity and brotherhood but had become an occasion for general mayhem. He decided to revive the spirit of Holi and weave its essence into a festival created to rejuvenate and restore Khalsa traditions. Called Holla Mohalla, the guru declared that it would be observed on the day after Holi.
As is customary in Sikh festivals, prayers at the gurdwaras begin early in the morning. The Guru Grantha Sahib is brought out with ceremony from its resting chamber and placed on the dais. It is given a symbolic bath with milk and water. Verses from its pages are then recited, akhanda pathas are performed, kar seva is offered and shabads and kirtans are sung all day long. The Karah Prasad is distributed to the congregation, after it has been consecrated by the guru. At noon, men and women from all castes and creed sit and eat together at the guru ka langar. The food is cooked by volunteers performing kar seva.
Many colourful processions are organised on Holla Mohalla, particularly in Anandpur Sahib and Muktsar. Sikhs, especially the Nihangs,dressed in their traditional martial costumes form part of the pageant. They display their skills in archery, word fencing, horse riding and shooting in competitions. Battles are enacted and ancient cannons fired to focus on the training required for war.
Homage is paid to the bravery of Guru Govind Singh, by narrating stories about his life in prose and verse. Tribute is also accorded to Guru Har Govind, who led his army to free 52 captive kings from the Gwalior jailin 1612 AD.
On Holla Mohalla, the Sikhs reaffirm their commitment to the brotherhood of man and their dedication to the Khalsa Pantha.