Known for their love for life, Sikhs celebrate Holi in their own style and elan. At Punjab & Chandigarh, they call it ‘Hola Mohalla‘. They shout, and shout their hearts out following a peculiar tradition. Besides, they also exhibit their martial arts specially ‘kushti’ on this day and make merry with the colors in the evening. Mouthwatering halwas, puris, gujias, a preparation of raw jack fruit and malpuas are of course, an essential part of the festivities. The only difference is that they do not light a bonfire.
Holi celebrations in Chandigarh – Photo Gallery
Female students of Panjab University celebrating Holi at the Students Center on the university campus
A street play on the theme of Saving water on Holi being staged at the Plaza in Sector 17 Chandigarh
A girl is happy to buy the Modi pichkari at Sector 26 Chandigarh
A Doraemon water gun popular among children at Sector 22 Chandigarh
A child holds an electronic pichkari at a shop in Sector 22 Chandigarh
Holi colours on sale at Sector 22 Chandigarh
Panjab University students celebrating Holi on university campus
Panjab University students celebrating Holi on university campus
Panjab University students throw their friends in the pond while celebrating Holi on the university campus
Students celebrate Holi at Government College of Commerce and Business Administration Sector 42 in Chandigarh
Students celebrate Holi at Post Graduate Government College for Girls Sector 42 in Chandigarh
Students celebrate Holi at the Government College of Commerce and Business in Sector 42 Chandigarh
Students of Panjab University play with colours on the eve of Holi in Chandigarh
Students of Punjab University celebrate Holi at the Students Centre
Students of the Institute for Blind Sector 26 take part in the Holi celebrations in Chandigarh
Hola Mohalla
Holla Mohalla is celebrated a day after Holi in Punjab especially by the Nihang Sikhs.
The festival is celebrated with gusto at Anandpur Sahib for it was here that Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru, instituted the pahul (baptism of the Khalsas), elected the panj pyare (the beloved five), and militarized his followers into the order of Nihangs (warrior-mendicants).
This festival of the Nihangs held at their headquarters Anandpur Sahib began as a counterpart to Holi. Though it almost did away with the throwing of colors, nonetheless, it is more colorful.
Martial arts like archery, sword fencing, fancy horse-riding, tent-pegging, and the deft handling of other contraptions of offence and defense are displayed by the Nihangs. Spectacular and thrilling acts of dare-devilry dexterously executed are performed.
The festivities close with a ceremonial procession taken through the township starting from Takth Keshgarh Sahib. Dressed in a long tunic of bright deep blue, an elaborate turban, sometimes of enormous size, at times banded with strips of bright yellow, armed with weapons of one’s liking – bows and arrows, spears, swords and shield, muskets, guns or what have you – the Nihang displays his skills at this festival of valor, a pageant of the past.
The langar (community feast) is open through the day and lasts as long as there are any takers.
Kids Portal For Parents India Kids Network
