Introduction

Holla Mohalla is a very popular festival of the Sikhs. It is a community festival that brings people together in an atmosphere of harmony and solidarity. The festival is celebrated in the memory of the valor of the Sikh warriors in various historical battles.

Celebration

The celebration starts with early morning prayers at the Gurudwaras. The Holy Book Guru Granth Sahib is ceremoniously taken out and bathed with milk and water and then it is placed on a platform for worship.

Kirtans are sung by the devotees and they perform Kar Seva as well. After the service, community lunch is served at the common hall for all. The evening of the Holla Mohalla is commemorates with cultural activities. The Nihang Sikhs, who are expert in marital arts, display mock battle, sword fighting archery and horse-riding exercises. The cultural programs organized on this day are dedicated to the life and teachings of all the Sikh Gurus. Various competitions of Music, Dance and Poetry are also held on this day.

Religious Gathering

The main attraction of this festival is the procession through the important Gurdwaras of the place. This festival is grandly celebrated at Anandpur Sahib. Thousand of devotees throng the shrine to participate the prayer. Irrespective of one social standings one devotee involve themselves in Kar Seva; the manual labor like helping poor, community service of public kitchen and cleaning Gurudwaras.