The word Hola, an interchangeable phonetic short form of Holla, is a derivative of a Panjabi term meaning onset of attack or frontal assault. Mohalla has an Arabic root and is a description meaning an army battalion or military regiment marching in full regalia.
Hola Mohalla is a weeklong Sikh Festival which revolves around daytime demonstrations of Gatka, the Sikh martial art, and other military sports. Evening events include Sikh worship services and kirtan, the singing of hymns selected from Guru Granth Sahib. The grand finale at the end of the week is a martial arts parade. The festival usually takes place mid March beginning on the first day of Chet, which is the start of the Sikh New Year according to the Nanakshahi calendar.
The word Hola is a masculine variation of Holi, the Hindu Spring Festival of Color, which precedes Hola Mohalla by a day.
