Hola Mahalla

Hola Mahalla

Hola Mahalla is a Sikh event which falls on the first day of the month of Chet as per the Nanakshahi calendar (calendar for the Sikhs). It normally occurs a day after the Hindu festival of colours, Holi.

Ther are different connotations as to the literal meaning of the term Hola Mahalla. Bhai Kahan Singh, an eminent Sikh scholar, opines that ‘Hola’ is derived from ‘Halla’ (military charge) and ‘Mahalla’ stands for an army column and thus would mean ‘charge of an army’. Dr MS Ahluwalia, another scholar, states that ‘Hola’ is derived from ‘Holi’ and ‘Mahalia’ (a Punjabi term) refers to an organised procession in the form of an army column accompanied by standard bearers and the beating of war drums.

The event was started by the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji, on 22 February 1701 in the Holgarh fort in Shri Anandpur Sahib. He made it an occasion for the Sikhs to display their martial skills in simulated battles. It later became an annual event. The three day event now mainly consists of various demonstrations of one’s fighting prowess like Gatka, sword fighting, exercises on horses and archery. This is followed by kirtan, religious discussions and poetry. For meals everyone eats the vegetarian food of Guru da Langar (see post of 17 December 2012). A large procession led by the panj pyaras and accompanied by the beating of drums and chanting of war cries is organised on the last day of the celebrations. A spirit of selfless community service is overwhelmingly evident in the organisation of the celebrations.

The festival is now celebrated to reemphasise the qualities of valour, brotherhood and fraternity amongst the Sikhs. It also underlines the need to be always prepared for self defence against any oppressor.