The Many Moods of Hola Mohalla
In theory, I was no stranger to the Hola Mohalla celebrations hosted annually at Anandpur Sahib, the place they are said to have originated from in the year 1701. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, while battling several enemy forces simultaneously, decided to assign a day entirely to mock combat amongst his warriors, the Nihang Singhs. Held a day after the festival of Holi, it is a practice that has endured distinctly, and sartorially, for the past three hundred years; its innumerable colours, moods and heroism braving their way to an enviable place in Sikh heritage.
In practice, however, I was to experience the magnitude of this tradition for the first time this year. Having returned to Citrus County for another dose of hearty Punjabi hospitality over the Holi weekend, I joined other guests on their outing to Anandpur Sahib. A picturesque country road through gentle brush-swathed hills brought us to Nangal; from there, a narrow track along the canal embankment to our destination. Where we came up behind many kilometres of slow moving, devotee-laden vehicles of varying shapes, sizes and horsepower, as well as, throngs of colourful people on foot.
Abandoning an ambitious plan to visit Keshgarh Sahib, we turned instead towards the Charan Ganga Stadium to grab us some seats for the promised exhibition of gatka (martial arts). The stadium, looking out to the Naina Devi peak, was a picture of serenity when we got there. Policemen idled around while bands of well-behaved visitors trooped in gamely; slowly but surely filling out the arena.
We had just seated ourselves under a shaded enclosure, readying our cameras, when a gent occupying the entire front row by himself insisted we join him. He had apparently mistaken us for media professionals. Not wanting to look (nor shun) a gift horse in the mouth, with nary a twitch, giggle or change in expression, we unabashedly obeyed.
The stadium, brimming with cheering crowds by now, broke into loud applause as participants began arriving. First came a lone motorcyclist, and then beautifully dressed horses and ambling elephants, followed by exponents of gatka in full regalia. Age was evidently no bar as veterans and young rookies both took to the ground, even as a cherubic toddler kitted out in the customary colours, watching keenly from the sidelines. The animated tent-pegging, the mock battling, the war-cries renting the air, the loud cheering, all so incredible, continued late into the afternoon.
Following a couple of hours of fascinating memories captured digitally, we prepared to leave. Right about that time, we noticed the point of entry abuzz with activity. Swirls of dust cleared to reveal rearing and neighing horses, more elephants, flashy cars, modified jeeps and armoured SUVs; ridden, mounted, driven by gun-toting, spear-wielding, pennant-bearing, bhang-empowered Nihangs, their lofty headgear affording stature in the burgeoning procession.
They were accompanied by hordes upon hordes on foot, similarly equipped, colour-drenched, and led by respective dera heads. The very powerful, the not-so, the threatened, the secure, the benign and the not-quite were all making their presence felt. It was akin to being shipped back into time, and landing amidst an ongoing battle between the Guru di Fauj and its adversary. The unfolding scene was simply unimaginable, and quite indescribable.
I hope this photographic deluge does richly deserved justice to the splendour of Hola Mohalla.
A show like there never was…!
Colour, courage and committment.
And what spirit!
Gaddafi should consider these guys as replacement for his current bodyguard.
π Just one tiny thing. They are a law unto themselves.
WOW .. is the word that comes to mind and nothing else
the second word is again WOW ..
Frankly, I was quite speechless π
Your new photograph for the website header has come out very well!
Btw I came across this site today. You might enjoy browsing through the photographs: http://wanderfulwalk.net/
Thanks Rajnish.
And that site is, without doubt, brilliant.
Well, his photography is just about as brilliant as your writing…! Keep going!!
So, all I’m missing is that Nikon D80, you mean?! π
Soon…
So you have been through the site thoroughly and figured out the D80 bit too!
I would recommend the D90. That is the best buy currently. But it is the lenses that matter more than the body in creating great pictures. Of course, this photographer’s skill is exceptional too: just no doubt about that.
I did. He is certainly gifted.
And now, be warned: will chew your brains when I go looking for that perfect lens π
Cheers!
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By all means!
Simply wow.. wont miss next year
Thanks, again, Ava. You mustn’t…
In a Punjab starved of spirituality, and Sikhi just reduced to either external symbols or money and muscle power, thank God for some reminders about the pristine beauty and noble power that Guru Gobind Singh epitomised.
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