Hola Mohalla

Festival of the Sikhs

Contents

Kushti and the Guru’s Pehalwaan

Not Holi, but Hola Mohalla!

The Guru’s Message

What is Kushti/Pehalawaani?• Ancient form of wrestling

• Popular in Iran, Central Asia, India, Pakistan, and Punjab

• Two challengers wrestle in a dirt ring (akhara)

• Punjab has produced some of the greatest wrestlers in the world (both men and women)

• The champions are called Rustam-e Punjab, after a Persian Hero

• A Pehalwaan is a champion• They eat healthy• Train and exercise everyday• They are disciplined, focused, and determined

Who is the Pehalwaan?

The Guru’s Pehalwaan• It was the 2nd Guru that

started akharas and kushti training amongst Sikhs

• This practice continued throughout the Guru period

• Sikhs are to be active, fit, and healthy

• In the Guru Granth Sahib it talks about the Pehalwaan

Guru Granth Sahib (p.74)

I am the Guru’s Pehalwaan

I met the Guru with my tall damaalaa

All came, and you Guru are seated and watching

The bugles play and the drums beat

The wrestlers enter and circle around

I have thrown the 5 challengers, the Guru pats me on the back

Hola Mohalla• Organized by Guru Gobind

Singh to encourage fitness and spirit amongst his Sikhs

• In Anandpur Sahib, there is a huge festival in mid-March

• It is like a Sikh-Olympics

• Wrestling, horseback riding, archery, gatka, and many other events

Guru Gobind Singh gave his Sikhs a different identity. Hindus play Holi; the day after Sikhs were to have Hola Mohalla

In the Guru Granth Sahib, it says the colors from Holi wash off, but a Sikh should love Waheguru forever

Not Holi, but Hola Mohalla

• Sikhs are to eat properly, exercise, and treat other with love and respect• How can we keep the spirit of Hola Mohalla alive today?

• What action can we take after we leave this camp? In our own lives? For our community?

Guru’s Message

• When we are healthy and inspired by the Guru, we can do amazing things

• Here is one of our community’s most recent example of a man that defeated death by loving the Guru

Guru’s Inspiration