Hola Mohalla is the Sikh festival known for martial displays and processions held after Holi.
Guru Gobind Singh established Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib in the early eighteenth century. The event developed as a Sikh alternative to Holi’s festivities, emphasizing disciplined displays of courage and community identity.
Traditional activities include mock battles, horse riding, archery, music, poetry, and demonstrations associated with the Nihang tradition. Large gatherings also include prayer and langar, linking public celebration with Sikh communal practice.
Hola Mohalla is often confused with Holi because the festivals occur close together and share seasonal roots. Their forms and religious meanings differ, however. Hola Mohalla is especially connected with Anandpur Sahib and the martial heritage of the Khalsa.