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… Read more...
