Holla Mahalla: A Colourful Festival of the Sikhs

Holla Mahalla, which is sometimes termed as ‘Holla,’ is a Sikh festival. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708), the tenth prophet-teacher of the Sikhs, started Holla Mohalla—a kind of march—on Chet Vadi 1 (the day after the full moon day), 1757 Bikrami of the lunar month of Chet, the first desi month in the lunar calendar, i.e., 22 February 1701, from Quilla Holgarh Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib, which now falls in Ropar District of Punjab.

The festival was started soon after the Battle of Nirmohgarh, situated on top of a low hill, 4 km south of Kiratpur Sahib, which falls in District Ropar of Punjab. The battle took place in October 1700 between the surrounding hill chiefs and the Sikh soldiers. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji started Holla Mohalla to enable the Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills, such as brandishing swords, gatka, tir andazi (bow and arrow), neza bazi, and tent pegging—i.e., while riding a horse at full speed, striking an object. Guru Sahib’s idea was perhaps to prepare the Sikhs for fiercer battles that lay ahead.

After its introduction in 1701, Holla Mahalla became an annual feature at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib. With the passage of time and the emergence of sophisticated weapons, the significance of the military skills displayed during the time of Guru Sahib has lessened. However, the Nihangs, in their traditional panoply, have continued to march in the form of a procession and display these skills.

Every year, Nihangs from places far and near assemble at Anandpur Sahib to participate in the celebrations of Holla Mahalla. Lakhs of Sikh pilgrims, both urban and rural, come to Anandpur Sahib on this day to pay their obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and to witness the procession and martial skill displays of the Nihangs.

As far back as 2004, in preparing the baptismal water—made from water and round sugar cubes called patasas—10 quintals of patasas were used. Since then, the amount has been increasing every year.

Guru Sahib started Holla Mahalla two years after the creation of the Khalsa at Sri Anandpur Sahib. On April 14, 1699, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave birth to the Khalsa by administering Khande di Pahul (nectar) at Anandpur Sahib, creating a community similar to him in appearance.

The five devoted Sikhs—Bhai Daya Ram Ji, Bhai Dharam Das Ji, Bhai Muhkam Chand Ji, Bhai Himmat Ji, and Bhai Sahib Chand Ji—were tested for their steadfastness in upholding righteousness and were then dressed in attire similar to Guru Sahib’s. This was neela bana (blue apparel), consisting of a loose shirt hanging like a skirt below the knees and a blue turban.

In creating the Khalsa by administering amrit (nectar), Guru Sahib directed each member to always maintain five marks of distinction:

• Uncut hair, like ascetics, as a sign of dedication
• A steel bracelet, denoting the universality of God
• A comb, to keep the hair clean
• Underwear, symbolizing chastity
• A sword, for defending the oppressed

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared, “Khalsa has been coined in my shape, and I reside in the Khalsa. Khalsa is the army of God and has emerged because of God’s will.”

In his bani, Guru Sahib stated that he loves the rehit (the five symbols) more than the Sikh himself. However, over time, only the Nihangs continued to wear blue robes and blue turbans similar to those worn by Guru Sahib.

In 2016, an additional highlight of the Holla Mahalla celebration was the observance of this day as Dastar (turban) Day. On a global call given by the Sikhs Nation Organisation, all male Sikhs were asked to observe March 7 as Dastar Day and wear kesari (saffron) turbans. This organization also called upon all Sikhs to wear yellow turbans on all Thursdays. This initiative was a reaction to the ban imposed by the Government of France on the display of religious symbols in government-run schools.

This year, i.e., in 2025, Holla Mahalla is being celebrated on March 15. It will be observed for six days (March 10-15), and during this period, about 25 lakh Sikh pilgrims are expected to visit Sri Anandpur Sahib to pay their obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. During these six days, about one thousand Sikhs will partake in amrit (nectar) and receive baptism.

Pilgrims are often wonderstruck when they witness Nihangs performing extraordinary feats, such as riding four horses simultaneously.