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THE hills of Anandpur Sahib come alive every year for the Hola Mohalla festival, which is a heady mix of history, heritage, popularity, and celebration. Hundreds of thousands of people come to the city where Guru Gobind Singh first held a festival in which warriors would participate and demonstrate their skill. Even today, hundreds of Nihangs make a beeline to Anandpur Sahib in order to show off their prowess in contests like tent-pegging, jousting and gatka. The air is thick with martial cries and loud greetings as different groups of people, wearing colourful costumes and many sporting tall turbans, meet each other. Guru Gobind Singh started the Hola Mohalla tradition at Anandpur Sahib in which two opposing forces of his troops would face each other in mock battles. The contestants vied with each other to show their skills in front of the watching Guru. The tradition continues, and even now, on the sidelines, as people watch, many Nihangs spontaneously joust with each other. Langars teem with volunteers and visitors, and food is served to all at practically all times. Of course, there are many kirtan darbars organised at Anandpur Sahib during the period. Since Hola Mohalla is one of the most popular festivals in Punjab, political parties too hold conventions and compete with each other to see which camp attracts more people, adding another shade to the festival’s colourful mosaic, which we present pictorically
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