Holi in Punjab is played with colour on the day after the full moon of Phagun, as across the north. But the festival that is Punjab's own is Hola Mohalla, held at Anandpur Sahib at the same time. For three days Nihang Sikhs in deep blue, with towering turbans, show their skill with sword, spear and horse; there is kirtan and poetry, and langars feed the hundreds of thousands who come.
The story
Guru Gobind Singh began Hola Mohalla in 1701, a year or two after founding the Khalsa. In place of throwing colour, his Sikhs were to gather for mock battles and military exercise; "mohalla" is an organised procession, and "Hola" his soldierly turn on the word Holi.
It ends with a great procession led by the Panj Pyare from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, the Nihangs riding at full gallop, standing on two horses at once.
How it is kept
- Holika DahanThe bonfire on the full-moon evening in Hindu neighbourhoods.
- RangColour and water on the morning after.
- GatkaThe Sikh martial art, shown with swords, sticks and chakkars.
- HorsemanshipTent-pegging and bareback riding by the Nihang dals.
- LangarRun by villages along every road to Anandpur.
Why this date
Holi with colours is the day after Holika Dahan, which is lit on the evening of Phagun Purnima once Bhadra has passed. Hola Mohalla is held over three days ending on the day after Holi.
Holi and Hola Mohalla in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Saturday | |
| 2029 | Thursday | |
| 2030 | Wednesday | |
| 2031 | Sunday |
More Punjabi festivals
6 MarchMaha Shivaratriਮਹਾਂ ਸ਼ਿਵਰਾਤਰੀ
7 AprilChet Navratriਚੇਤ ਦੇ ਨਰਾਤੇ
14 AprilVaisakhiਵਿਸਾਖੀ
14 JanuaryMaghiਮਾਘੀ
13 JanuaryLohriਲੋਹੜੀ
15 AprilRam Naumiਰਾਮ ਨੌਮੀ
Where to see Holi and Hola Mohalla
In Punjab
- Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur SahibPunjabThe birthplace of the Khalsa, and the centre of Hola Mohalla.
- Kiratpur SahibPunjabWhere the gathering begins, a few miles down the Sutlej.
- AmritsarPunjabHoli in the lanes round the Durgiana temple.
Across India
- BarsanaUttar PradeshLathmar Holi in Radha's village.
- Paonta SahibHimachal PradeshGuru Gobind Singh's town on the Yamuna, with its own Hola.
- NandedMaharashtraTakht Hazur Sahib, where the Guru spent his last days.