Hola Mohalla | American Turban

"Sikh devotees throw rose petals into a float bearing Guru Granth Sahib during the annual Hola Mohalla, Sikh Martial Arts Parade and Gatka Exhibition Gallery on Sunday afternoon (03-31-13) in Livingston, CA." (source: Merced Sun-Star)

Picture of the Day: Hola Mohalla celebrations in Livingston, California

April 1, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The Merced Sun-Star reports on yesterday’s 15th annual Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) in Livingston, California, to celebrate the Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla. Over 3,500 people attended the event in this central Californian city. “We always make an attempt to invite everyone. We want them to be part of the event,” [Livingston Mayor Pro Tem Gurpal Samra] said. “It’s not just for us. It’s for everybody in the community.” Read more at the Merced Sun-Star.

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day • Tags: California, Hola Mohalla, Livingston, Nagar Kirtan

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"What is he panning for? A man cleans a huge pan to prepare a non-alcoholic drink during celebrations of Hola Mohalla festival at Anandpur Sahib, India. The Hola Mohalla festival is celebrated during the Hindu religious festival of Holi, marking the congregation of Sikh devotees from all over the country. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters" (source: The Guardian)

Picture of the Day: Happy Hola Mohalla 2013!

March 28, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

This week, Sikhs are celebrating Hola Mohalla, a three-day festival on the Sikh calendar that coincides with the Hindu celebration of Holi. Began in 1701 by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, this celebration is an exhibition of the martial tradition in the Sikh faith. The main festival takes place at Anandpur Sahib in India.

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day, Sikhism • Tags: Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh, Hola Mohalla, India

Picture of the Day: Hola Mohalla Parade in Livingston, CA

March 26, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

“This is not only for our benefit, (and) the Sikh community, but it’s also for our neighbors,” Samara said. “In the beginning we didn’t know what people were going to make out of this. But now everyone knows what it’s about. And now you see a lot of non-Sikhs, too.” — Gurpal Samra talks about yesterday’s Hola Mohalla (a celebration of the Sikh martial spirit) procession in Livingston, California. The full article and additional photos are available on the Merced […]

Categories: Events, Sikhism • Tags: California, Gurpal Samra, Hola Mohalla, Livingston

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Hola Mohalla parade this Sunday in Livingston, CA

March 23, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

“If people have never attended before, expect something you’ve never witnessed,” said Gurpal Samra, organizer and Livingston city councilman. “Come and join us for free food and drink for everybody.” — Organizer Gurpal Samra invites the public to the Hola Mohalla parade this Sunday in Livingston, California.

Categories: Events • Tags: California, Hola Mohalla, Livingston

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Picture of the Day: Happy Hola Mohalla!

March 9, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

A day after the Hindu festival of Holi, Sikhs around the world celebrate Hola Mohalla – an exhibition of the Sikh martial spirit. The center of this celebration is at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India: This custom originated in the time of Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) who held the first march at Anandpur on Chet vadi 1, 1757 Bk (22nd February, 1701). Unlike Holi, when people playfully sprinkle colored powders, dry or mixed in water, on each other the Guru […]

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day • Tags: Anandpur Sahib, Hola Mohalla

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