Hola Mahalla
Hola Mahalla
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Sikhs in procession ©
Hola Mahalla coincides with the Hindu festival of colours, Holi. The festival was originally created to distract Sikhs from the Hindu festival.
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 then followed by poetry readings and music.
It is celebrated around March 17.
Holi is the most energetic Indian festival, filled with fun and good humour.
Holi is also called 'The Festival of Colours', and people celebrate the festival by smearing each other with paint, and throwing coloured powder and dye around in an atmosphere of great good humour.
Holi in Brief
- Holi is particularly celebrated in North India
- Although Holi has religious roots there are few religious things to do
- Distinctions of caste, class, age, and gender are suspended during Holi
- A very exuberant festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of paint
- Holi features gender rivalry, with contests between men and women, and public flirting
- Bonfires are lit during Holi, and food offerings are roasted
- Holi is also celebrated by Hindus
Dates
The festival is officially celebrated on the day after full moon during the month of Phalunga, which falls in February-March.
During the evening of the full moon, bonfires are lit in the streets.