What is the usual timing for the Hola Mohalla festival in relation to Holi?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is One day after Holi.
Explanation:
☛ Hola Mohalla is a major three-day Sikh festival celebrated primarily at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.
☛ It traditionally begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar, which falls one day after the Hindu festival of Holi.
☛ The festival was instituted by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in the year 1701.
☛ Unlike the playful sprinkling of colors during Holi, Hola Mohalla was established to demonstrate martial prowess, physical fitness, and military preparedness through mock battles and martial arts.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ The word 'Mohalla' is derived from an Arabic root meaning an organized procession or military column.
☛ Nihang Sikhs (the warrior order of Sikhs) lead the celebrations, dressed in traditional blue attire and large turbans.
☛ Traditional Sikh martial art forms like Gatka, sword fighting, archery, and tent-pegging are prominently showcased during this festival.
☛ The festival concludes with a grand military-style procession starting from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Takhts of Sikhism.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which Sikh Guru started the festival of Hola Mohalla? → Guru Gobind Singh Ji
☛ In which year was the first Hola Mohalla festival organized? → 1701
☛ At which historical site is the Hola Mohalla festival primarily celebrated? → Anandpur Sahib (Punjab)
☛ Which traditional martial art form is primarily performed during Hola Mohalla? → Gatka
☛ In which month of the Nanakshahi calendar is Hola Mohalla celebrated? → Chet