The Foods of Hola Mohalla

Hola Mohalla, the spring festival is  celebrated at Anandpur Sahib by Sikhs in Punjab over 3 days starting the day after Holi.

A celebration of brotherhood, fraternity and valour, it holds great significance for Nihang Sikhs, an armed Sikh warrior order.

Langars are a huge part of Sikhism and the spirit of community service. 

They are community service kitchens with meals served to all those who would like to attend, regardless of who they are.

The celebrating Nihang Sikhs bring grains like rice and wheat with them while travelling to Anandpur Sahib. 

Sweets are a large part of festive celebrations in India.

Sweet foods like halwa (made with clarified butter and a base such as semolina or coarse ground gram) and jalebi (fried ringlets of flour dipped in sugar syrup), are popularly eaten during the festivities.

The Nihang Sikhs also set up camp in the city before the festivities begin. Depending on how well-off the group is, they cook different foods during the day.

Some groups would start the day off with stuffed paranthas, a fried Indian flatbread. 

Another group would start the day off with simple rotis, an unleavened Indian flatbread.

Learn more about the festival here.