With sword fights and martial arts, Punjab celebrates annual 'Hola Mohalla' festival
Mar 23, 2019
Anandpur Sahib (Punjab), Mar 23: Sikh devotees celebrated the annual spring festival of 'Hola Mohalla' on Thursday with a display of sword fights and martial arts in Anandpur Sahib city in Punjab. Thousands of spectators, including foreign tourists, gathered at the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib 'Gurudwara', a famous Sikh shrine, to see men display their bravery and skills in ancient warfare known as 'Gatka' and sword fighting in a colourful ceremony. Tourists were delighted to witness the festivities and they enjoyed being in Punjab on the occasion. Devotees also offered prayers at the holiest shrine of Sikhism, the Golden Temple in the evening to mark the occasion. The festival commemorates the transformation of Sikh community into a martial fraternity by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru (leader) of the Sikhs. It coincides with Holi, the Hindu festival of colours.
