[6] For meals, which is an integral part of the Sikh institution (Gurdwara), visitors sit together in Pangats (Queues) and eat lacto-vegetarian food of the Langars.

[8] Bhai Kahan Singh, who compiled the Mahan Kosh (the first Sikh encyclopedia) at the turn of the 20th century, explained, "Hola is derived from the word halla (a military charge) and the term mohalla stands for an organized procession or an army column.

Ahluwalia notes that the related Punjabi term mahalia (which was derived from the root hal, meaning to alight or descend) refers to "an organized procession in the form of an army column accompanied by war drums and standard-bearers, and proceeding to a given location or moving in state from one to another.

According to regional tradition, Harnaksh (Hiranyakashipu), the King of Multan,[13] was defeated by good in the form of Prahlada.

[16] However, Guru Gobind Singh organised the first procession accompanied by drums in Anandpur on 22 February 1701 A.D.[17] The new tradition of overseeing mock battles and poetry contests at Lohgarh Fort[2][7] has since spread from the town of Anandpur Sahib to nearby Kiratpur Sahib and the foothills of the Shivaliks, and to other Gurdwaras around the world.

[8] According to Singh (2018), "during the celebrations of Hola Mohalla a sword is most in demand at Nanded, since each participant in the procession must have it in his hand".

[23] Hola Mahalla is a Sikh event which takes place on the second day of the lunar month of Chet, which usually falls in March.

Mahalia, is a Punjabi word that implies an organized procession in the form of an army column accompanied by war drums and standard-bearers, and proceeding to a given location or moving in state from one place to another.

[1] The Guru made Hola Mahalla an occasion for the Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles.

Hola Mahalla became an annual event held in an open ground near Holgarh, a fort across the rivulet Charan Ganga, northwest of Anandpur sahib.

[citation needed] The popularity of this festival may be judged from the fact that out of five Sikh public holidays requested by the Khalsa Diwan, of Lahore in 1889, the Government approved only two - Hola Mahalla and the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

City of Bliss) is situated on one of the lower spurs of the Shiwalik Hills in Rupnagar District of Punjab and is well connected with the rest of the country both by road and rail.

Kes (uncut hair), Kangha (comb), Kacherra (drawers), Kara (an all-steel bracelet) and Kirpan (a sword) so that they could easily be recognized by anyone under attack.

Sikhs were further instructed to live to the highest ethical standards, and to be always ready to fight tyranny and injustice.