Hola Mahalla
Hola Mahalla
Find this year's date in the multifaith calendar
Sikhs in procession ©
Hola Mahalla begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar and follows the Hindu festival of colours, Holi.
Guru Gobind Singh started this festival as a day for Sikhs to practise their military exercises and hold mock battles.
Today, Sikhs celebrate by watching and partaking in martial arts parades, led by the nishan sahibs of the Gurdwaras. These are followed by poetry readings and music.
It is celebrated around March 17.