"I felt like I had stepped back in history to see it. I have never experienced anything like that before. I was not aware of the festival until a few years ago when I got involved in the project.
The contributions highlighted by the panel showed the importance that Anandpur Sahib holds in history but also in the present time. With the right collaborations and input from Sikhs across the world the Foundation aims to put Anandpur Sahib on the world map.
EcoSikh has appealed to the Punjab Government and SGPC to work towards making the holy city of Anandpur Sahib eco-friendly and sustainable as the preparations are underway to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the city beginning on June 19th.
Coinciding with Holi, the festival of colour, it reminds the people about the tradition of meaningful festivity, and displays the valour inculcated in the Sikh community by Guru Gobind Singh, who took to armed struggle against tyranny.
The verdant township of Anandpur Sahib, at the foothills of the Shivaliks in Punjab, has always drawn tourists by the hordes. But this time, it is not just the historic gurdwaras that is drawing them to one of the most sacred places for the Sikh community.
This is a coffee table book – one more to quite a number that have been published in recent years – though possibly with a difference. It is third of a series by the same publishers on Sikh shrines and spirituality. Its 156 pages are full with pictures and the written text is an eyeful and informative.
Every year on the day following Holi, Hola Mohalla festival is celebrated at Anandpur Sahib. On this day Anandpur Sahib re-enacts the martial splendour of the Khalsa under Guru Gobind Singh Ji. About two million devotees and others from all over India and abroad participate in the festival with great gusto.
In an extraordinary coda to three days' of worship and festivity, the Mohalla celebrations conclude with displays of traditional Sikh martial prowess on a grassy plain by the Charan Ganga River.
Hola Mohalla the war festival of the Nihangs is celebrated during the month of March, marking the festivities congregations of Sikh devotees converge from all over India and abroad.
