Anandpur Sahib, March 24
A sea of humanity descended on Anandpur Sahib, as the three-day Hola Mohalla festival began here today. About six lakh devotees from India and abroad paid obeisance at Takht Sri Keshgrah Sahib and various other historical gurdwaras here.

The holy town wore a colourful look as all gurudwaras were decorated in different colours. The two sacred colours saffron and blue, representing the Khalsa Panth, were seen in abundance everywhere.

The celebrations began at 4 am with a prayer by the Head Granthi, Mr Sukhwinder Singh, accompanied by the Akal Takht Jathedar, Joginder Singh Vedanti, Takht Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar, Tarlochan Singh and devotees in Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib.

A number of religious procession reached here early in the morning. A religious procession was also organised by the ‘Doaba Nirmal Mahamandal” from Haridwar. The devotees took the holy dip in the “sarovar” in Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib.

The villagers came on trucks and tractor-trailers decorated with saffron flags. Small groups also arrived from distance places on bicycles carrying saffron flags.

Villagers have set up ‘langars’ on all the roads leading to Anandpur Sahib and also in several places in the town.

The SGPC organised ‘langars’ at about 30 places and made arrangements for stay of devotees in gurdwaras, colleges and schools.