Posted Date: 22/03/2021 Posted By: Sikh Tours
Shri Anandpur Sahib, commonly referred to as Anandpur, is a City of Bliss renowned for its historical significance among not only Sikhs but now the people from all over the world reach here to witness the rich heritage, especially to be a part of Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib of this city receiving the touch of the tenth Guru in the Sikh history Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's feet. Anandpur Sahib is arranged on one of the lower pods of the Shiwalik Hills in Ropar District of Punjab and is very much associated with the remainder of the country both by street and rail. It lies 31 KM north of Rupnagar (Ropar) and 29 KM south of Nangal Township. So, this is all about the city of bliss but what is the history of Hola Mohalla in Anandpur? Why Sikhs annually visit here to celebrate this unique festival? What are the reasons behind the same? Here is the answer to all of your questions.
Meaning of Hola Mohalla
Before knowing the reason behind the celebration of this festival of Sikhs, we must know the meaning of Hola Mohalla or Mahalla or only Hola. Bhai Kahan Singh, who ordered the Mahan Kosh at the turn of the twentieth century, clarified that the word 'Hola' has been derived from the word 'Halla' (meaning, a military charge) whereas the word 'Mohalla' means a military section or coordinated parade. Hence, the term 'Hola Mohalla' in a combined form would consequently signify 'the charge of a military'. A similar Punjabi term 'Mahalia', rooting from the 'Hal' that means to land or drop, alludes to a coordinated parade as a military segment joined by war drums and leading figures, and continuing to a given area or moving in the state starting with one and moving further to another. Now let us know the top five reasons why Sikhs celebrate this three-day-long fair of Hola Mohalla!
1. Connection of Hola Mohalla and Holgarh Fort:
Unlike Holi, when individuals energetically sprinkle hued powders (or colour, referred to as 'Gulal' in Hindi), dry or blended in water, on one another the Guru made Hola Mohalla an event for the Sikhs to show their military abilities in re-enacted fights. This was most likely done thwarting a grimmer battle against the magnificent force following the Ninnohgarh Battle in 1700. Holla Mohalla turned into a yearly occasion held in the open ground close to Holgarh, a Fort across the stream Charn Ganga, northwest of Anandpur.
2. To be Self-independent:
This yearly celebration held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab and now recreated at other Gurudwaras overall was begun by the 10th Sikh Guru (1666-1708) who held primary walk at Anandpur on Chet Vadi 1, 1757 BK (22nd February 1701)., as a social affair of Sikhs for the military activities and fake fights on the day following the celebration of Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib. It helps individuals to remember courage and protection readiness, ideas dear to Shri Guru Gobind Sahib Ji, who was around then safeguarding the Sikhs from the assaults of the Mughal realm and the slope lords. The military exercise, which was managed by the master, was completed on the bed of River Charan Ganga with the celebrated Hindu sanctuary of Mata Naina Devi in the Shivaliks as the background.
3. To instil the Military Element:
The festival follows the Hindu celebration of Holi. Hola is the manly type of the ladylike thing-Holi. The Nihangs or Nihang Singhs, formerly known to be Akalis were endearingly assigned as Knights of Guru. They convey the military vibe and brave style that was developed during the lifetime of Guru Gobind Singh. They are constantly equipped and are typically seen mounted vigorously weighed down with weapons like swords, knives, lances, rifles, shotguns, and guns. Whatever might be the starting point of the word Nihang, it implies the trademark characteristics of the group, their independence from dread of peril or passing, status for activity and non-connection to common belongings.
4. To Preserve Socially:
The Hola Mohalla celebration is interesting and discernable from different celebrations in that the Nihang have attempted to save the conventional structure and substance as set up during its initiation, and carefully saw by the Akalis for over three centuries. The combative techniques showed by the Nihangs give an image of their abilities and customs to the guests just like the vacationer. On account of its extraordinary verifiable, socio-strict and military importance, the Hola Mahalla celebration can amazingly add to more prominent attention to Sikh legacy just as cultivate maintainable improvement of the local area the travel industry. Anandpur Sahib can be created as a traveller objective not to satisfy a specific local area but rather to create it as a focal point of India's rich socio-social legacy gave solely to the enthusiasm for actual capacities of a military group. It will normally support the public and worldwide the travel industry. A socially cognizant strategy to create Hola Mahalla as a vacationer occasion ought to be shaped by the State to zero in on advancing social legacy while giving more prominent monetary advantages to a bigger segment of the nearby populace. The strategy recommended can bring impartial monetary advantages, expanded local area investment, all-round improvement of the zone or more all, the safeguarding of India's social legacy.
5. Verses of Prahlad in Guru Granth Sahib:
The celebration additionally has established in the account of the youngster bhagat, Prahlad who might not acknowledge his dad, Harnakash-the lord of Multan, as a God. To satisfy her sibling, Holka intended to consume Prahlad. She took him in her lap, sat amidst a fire. Holka figured she would be secured by a material however it was Prahlad who endure and Holka died in the fire. The occasion offered to ascend to the conviction that great prevailed over evil. The account of Prahlad was famous among the early Sikhs. The Guru Granth contains sections presenting Prahlad by the holy people Namdev and Kabir, and by the third Guru Amar Das.
For instance refer to the following
ਗੁਰ ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਪ੍ਰਹਿਲਾਦੁ ਹਰਿ ਉਚਰੈ॥ ਸਾਸਨਾ ਤੇ ਬਾਲਕੁ ਗਮੁ ਨ ਕਰੈ॥
Meaning:
Following his Guru's instructions, Prahlaad chanted the Lord's Name || He was a child, but he was not afraid when his teacher yelled at him || Hence, these are the top 5 reasons for celebrating Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib with zeal and enthusiasm. Do you know another significant reason behind the same? Do share with us!
