Sikhi Explored Sunday 18th March 2012 Volume 1 | Issue 9 Hola Mohalla Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Jee Ke Fateh! On Friday 9th March (2012), Sikhs worldwide celebrated Holla Mohalla, a festival that majesti- cally depicts the teachings of the Gurus and predominantly portrays the martial aspect of a Sikhs life. In this article we will explore how and why Sikhs celebrate Holla Mohalla, and look at the connotations it has with the Hindu festival of Holi. Firstly, the festival of Holla Mohalla is always celebrated one day after Holi. So to understand why these events have this specific relationship with each other, it is necessary to take a look at the history of Holi. Holi In the Hindu calendar, the Holi festival is celebrated widely by people of all ages. For a few days people try to forget their worries and indulge in sprinkling coloured powder and water on friends, relations and everybody they come across. It is a period for people to enjoy the forthcoming spring and so is usually celebrated at the end of the winter season, when there is a full moon. It is a truly vibrant and colourful festival, but beyond the fun and excitement, what is the reli- gious significance of this event? Image 1, 2 and 3– Nihang Singh’s at Hola Mohalla (www.nihangsingh.org)
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Image 2- Young Nihang Singh http://www.scribd.com/doc/42026246/
Nihang
Origin of Holi
Like all other Hindu festivals, Holi too has a touch of mythological undertones. The legend
goes that Holika was the aunt of a God-loving child called Prahlad. This devotee of God, re-
fused to recognise his agnostic and ego-ridden father, King Harnaksh, as the Divine Lord.
Instead he continued to sing the praises of God Almighty and due to this, was subjected to
severe tortures. Eventually, with a view to burn Prahlad to death, his aunt, Holika, volun-
teered to take Prahlad in her lap and sit on a burning pyre with him. She was under the im-
pression that she had gained immunity from perishing by fire and thus the fire would natu-
rally only consume the body of Prahlad, leaving her totally unaffected. But by the Will of
God, the aunt Holika burnt to ashes and Prahlad came out unscathed in this fiery ordeal.
Thus the Hindus celebrate every year, on a full moon, the decimation of the vicious Holika
and the survival of the devotee Prahlad, by sprinkling colour on one another. There are some
other stories regarding the origin of the Holi Festival, but the one stated above is the most
widely accepted version.
So the background of this festival is morally sound and flawless, but in its actual observance
around the Gurus time and arguably even now, people have lost sight of its true significance
and seldom remember the exceptionally heroic and determined part played by Prahlad to
uphold the supremacy of the Divine Lord. Instead of cherishing his lofty character and mak-
ing it a solemn occasion to perpetuate his memory of sacrifice and steadfastness against all
brutal pressures, the countrymen of Prahlad have since drifted into mere ritualistic obser-
vance of the festival. Fun and frolic simply took over memories of the fragrant past.
Sikhi and Holi
As the Sikh faith originated in India, the Gurus also observed the Hindus celebrating this fes-
tival. It is even given a mention in the Guru Granth Sahib Jee on the 1180 Ang. Written by
Guru Arjan Dev Jee, Holi and the celebrations in spring are used as a poignant metaphor to
make every Sikh understand, that EVERY day should be celebrated as if it was a new year.
Today is a day of celebration for me. Today I am in supreme bliss. My anxiety is dispelled, and I have met the Lord of the Universe. Today, it is springtime in my household. I sing Your Glori-ous Praises, O Infinite Lord God. Today, I am celebrating the festival of Phalgun. Joining with God's companions, I have begun to play. I celebrate the festival of Holi by serving the Saints. I am imbued with the deep crimson colour of the Lord's Divine Love...
My mind and body have blossomed forth, in utter, incomparable beauty. They do not dry out in either sunshine or shade; they flourish in all seasons. It is always springtime, when I meet with the Divine Guru. The wish-fulfilling Elysian Tree has sprouted and grown. It bears flowers and fruits, jewels of all sorts. I am satisfied and fulfilled, singing the Glori-ous Praises of the Lord. Servant Nanak meditates on the Lord, Har, Har, Har.
With my extremely limited understanding, I interpret this shabad to mean that for the Sikh
of the Guru, Holi is played by serving the Lord. Powdered colours when thrown on each
other may make that person look colourful, but after a little washing they will come straight
off! So what colour will uplift us forever? Guru Jee says that He is embued with the colour of
Gods LOVE and his celebration of Holi is by singing the Lords praises and through seva of
the Gursikhs.
Anyhow, such waste of national energies in mere frivoli-
ties could not be viewed by Guru Gobind Singh Jee with
equanimity or indifference, who planned to prepare the
nation for an active revolt against religious or political
domination and against social abuses of every kind. This
is not to say that he did not approve of the idea of his
country-men enjoying life but he wanted to build up the
physical and moral vitality of the nation. In fact, feats of
physical endurance formed an integral part of his train-
ing. What he wanted to guard against, was indulgence in
wasteful energies and meaningless rituals.
The Guru’s way
Guru Gobind Singh gave the Khalsa a new idea, a new form and new strengths. He also gave
a new and distinctive shape to the celebration of their festivals, which were designed to en-
ergise the Khalsa physically, morally and spiritually, to enable them to undertake their new
responsibilities with fresh vigour and determination. One day after the Holi celebration, he
organised the Hola Mohalla festival with the object of infusing martial spirit among the
Khalsa, in which he combined the joyful celebrations with physical feats of chivalry. It must
be noted that whilst this was enjoyed, it was not overlooked by the indispensible pro-
gramme of remembering God even amidst these pleasures and enjoyments.
Image 1- Young Nihang Singh http://www.scribd.com/doc/42026246/