Festivals and celebrationsSouth AsiaSikh
Hola Mohalla
In its own language: ਹੋਲਾ-ਮਹੱਲਾ
A three-day Sikh festival of martial arts, poetry, shared meals and grand processions
Hola Mohalla is an annual three-day Sikh gathering founded by Guru Gobind Singh, centered in Anandpur Sahib. Pilgrims gather to watch martial arts drills and mock battles, listen to hymns and poetry, share vegetarian meals from community kitchens, and join large ceremonial processions.
When is Hola Mohalla marked?
Hola Mohalla is kept as part of Holi, which runs from 22 to 23 March 2027.
Hola Mohalla is a three-day Sikh festival that brings communities together for displays of horsemanship, simulated combat, devotional singing, and shared meals. Established in 1701 by the tenth Sikh leader, Guru Gobind Singh, at Anandpur Sahib, the gathering channelled communal energy into military readiness and creative arts. Today, Sikhs across the world mark the occasion with martial exercises, poetry readings, and ceremonial processions led by Nihang warriors.
Origins and purpose
In 1701, Guru Gobind Singh created Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib to foster discipline, bravery, and physical readiness among his followers. He reframed the joyous customs of the springtime Holi holiday, introducing mock skirmishes and archery contests alongside traditional verses. The name itself unites two ideas: a military charge and a structured column of troops marching to war drums. By gathering the community at Lohgarh and Holgarh forts, the Guru turned the festive season into an opportunity to practice self-defence, celebrate virtue, and honour the historic victory of good over tyranny.
Martial arts and gatherings
Celebrations centre on Anandpur Sahib, where thousands of pilgrims camp for up to a week. The core program spans three days and features exhibitions of fighting prowess, horsemanship, and swordsmanship. Nihang Sikhs, clad in traditional dark blue garments and decorated turbans, play a leading role in the demonstrations. Between combat displays, audiences gather to hear classical kirtan recitals and spoken poetry competitions. Some communities also splash coloured powders and fragrant waters, a custom recorded during the earliest gatherings in the Guru's court.
Community meals and final parade
Hospitality forms an essential part of the observance. Pilgrims of every background sit side by side in straight rows, known as pangats, to receive vegetarian dishes prepared in the gurdwara langar kitchens. The festival culminates in a grand ceremonial parade near Takht Kesgarh Sahib. Standard-bearers, musicians beating heavy drums, and armed participants march together in an orderly formation. In cities such as Nanded, every marcher carries a sword, concluding the holy gathering in an impressive display of unity and martial heritage.
How Hola Mohalla is kept
Pilgrims travel to holy sites such as Anandpur Sahib, camping in large numbers. Over three days, crowds watch skilled participants demonstrate weapon handling, combat manoeuvres, and mock fights. Between athletic events, people attend devotional singing services and listen to poets recite verses. Everyone gathers in long queues to share lacto-vegetarian food served from free community kitchens. On the concluding day, Nihang warriors and devotees join an organised, military-style parade with banners and war drums, which circles near Takht Kesgarh Sahib.
When and where
The event happens annually in the spring season, generally during March. Its dates align with the second day of Chett in the Punjabi lunar calendar, normally starting right after the festival of Holi, though gatherings at Anandpur Sahib often begin a few days earlier.
The primary focal point is Anandpur Sahib in the Shivalik Hills of Punjab. Observances also occur in Kiratpur Sahib, at Nanded, and in Sikh gurdwaras across the globe.
What Hola Mohalla means
Hola Mohalla represents readiness, self-reliance, and the defence of justice. By combining physical exercises with religious hymns, the festival reflects the Sikh ideal of the saint-soldier, who defends the vulnerable while remaining devoted to God. It also commemorates the triumph of righteous conviction over oppressive power, echoing the ancient tale of Prahlada.
On the table
- Lacto-vegetarian langar meals
Days Hola Mohalla is marked
Questions people ask about Hola Mohalla
When is Hola Mohalla marked?
Hola Mohalla is kept as part of Holi, which runs from 22 to 23 March 2027.
What is Hola Mohalla?
Hola Mohalla is a three-day Sikh festival established in 1701. It celebrates martial ability, spiritual music, and communal solidarity through mock battles, poetry competitions, and processions.
Where does the main celebration take place?
The largest gathering occurs at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India, near Takht Kesgarh Sahib. Other historical sites and Sikh gurdwaras worldwide also host their own celebrations.
Who are the Nihang Sikhs?
The Nihang are members of the traditional Khalsa martial order. They wear distinctive blue robes and adorned turbans, leading many of the combat demonstrations and parades during the festival.
What food is served during the festival?
Visitors receive free lacto-vegetarian meals from community kitchens, known as langars. Everyone sits together in lines called pangats to eat, emphasizing equality and fellowship.
See also
NowruzThe Iranian new year at the March equinox, kept with fire, greenery and picnics
Rama NavamiA Hindu spring festival marking the birth of Rama with prayer, fasting and processions
VijayadashamiA Hindu festival marking the end of Navaratri, celebrating the victory of good over evil across India and Nepal.
Makar SankrantiA mid-winter harvest festival marking the sun's northward journey, celebrated across South and Southeast Asia with fairsGood reading and sources
- Hola Mohalla on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hola Mohalla", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.
More from India
All the traditions of India
🇮🇳 Mathura, India and 5 moreHoliहोली (Hindi)
A spring festival of colours and bonfires that marks the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil.Festival
🇮🇳 Thrissur, IndiaThrissur Pooramതൃശ്ശൂര് പൂരം
A grand Kerala temple gathering with elephant pageantry, percussion, and fireworksFestival
🇫🇷 France and 4 morePicnic
A meal taken outdoors in a park or scenic spot, often shared with friends and family.Festival · Lunch
🇮🇳 Ayodhya, India and 5 moreRama Navamiराम नवमी
A Hindu spring festival marking the birth of Rama with prayer, fasting and processionsFestival
The same idea elsewhere
Pilgrimage compared
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreMother's Day
A worldwide annual celebration dedicated to mothers, maternal bonds and family careHome
🇮🇱 Jerusalem, IsraelPassoverפסח
A Jewish spring festival celebrating freedom from slavery with ritual mealsSpiritual · Dinner
🇮🇱 Jerusalem, IsraelSukkotסוכות
A seven-day autumn Jewish festival of temporary booths, harvest prayers and hospitalitySpiritual
🇮🇪 Ireland and 1 moreImbolcLá Fhéile Bríde
A Gaelic festival heralding spring and honoring Saint Brigid with woven rush crossesSeasonal · Feasts and festival meals