Hola Mohalla: Devotees swamp Anandpur Sahib

Anandpur Sahib, Punjab: Thousands of devotees from various parts of the country and abroad today thronged the town to participate in a nagar kirtan taken out as part of the Hola Mohalla celebrations.

The nagar kirtan, which started from Agampur by Baba Pritam Singh of Nirmal Mandal, concluded at the dera of Sant Pritam Singh. Nihangs from various sects performed “gatka” during the procession.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said: “We are expecting the arrival of over 30 lakh devotees for taking part in the Hola Mohalla celebrations”. Ropar Deputy Commissioner PK Aggrawal inaugurated an exhibition displaying progress of the state in various fields.

The Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports and Cultural Club, Anandpur Sahib, is organising wrestling and kabaddi tournaments. Club president Kartar Singh said the title of Rustam-e-Zama would be bestowed upon the winner, who would be given a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh. The runner-up would get Rs 1 lakh, he said.

The Anandpur Sahib Sports Club UK is organising the 10th Holla Mohalla Circle Kabaddi Championship. Twenty one teams from various districts are competing in the championship.

Hundreds of individuals and social organisations have set up langars (community kitchens) all over the town and its adjoining areas to serve meals, snacks and beverages to the devotees.

There are nearly 200 langars set up in and around the two towns of Kiratpur Sahib and Anandpur Sahib. Besides regular meals, the community kitchens are offering sweets, milk, juices and other snacks to the devotees.

“We are serving paranthas with curd in breakfast while jalebis, pakoras, milk, tea etc are being served round the clock along with lunch and dinner,” said members of a langar committee from a Moga village who have set up their kitchen near Virasat-e-Khalsa.

The festival, where lakhs of devotees pay obeisance at various gurdwaras in the town, has provided a big market to many. Several local and outside traders have set up their kiosks to cash in on the festival fervour.

Shakeel from Moradabad has come here to sell his musical instruments including drums, tablas and mridangs. Coca Cola has organised a dance competition for youths visiting the fair.

Jathedar Bhan Singh from Khanna has set up a stall to sell traditional arms like swords, hoods, axes etc claiming to be up to 300 years old.

                                                              Events galore

An exhibition displaying progress of the state in various fields is underway

Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports and Cultural Club is holding wrestling and kabaddi tournaments

Anandpur Sahib Sports Club UK is organising the 10th Holla Mohalla Circle Kabaddi Championship

Coca Cola organised a dance contest for youths

                                    Snacks in langar

There are nearly 200 langars, offering sweets, milk, juices and other snacks to the devotees, in and around the two towns of Kiratpur Sahib and Anandpur Sahib. “We are serving paranthas with curd in breakfast while jalebis, pakoras, milk, tea etc are being served round the clock along with lunch and dinner,” said members of a langar committee from a Moga village

Source: The Tribune