Punjab’s Hola Mohalla: Traditional Sikh Nihang soldiers display valour

Nihangs, Sikh men who belongs to an armed Sikh order, display horse riding skills during the Hola Mohalla celebrations in Anandpur Sahib on Monday. Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival that takes place on the day following Holi, the festival of colours. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)

Updated on: Mar 14, 2017 7:09 PM IST

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Nihangs, Sikh men who belongs to an armed Sikh order, display horse riding skills during the Hola Mohalla celebrations in Anandpur Sahib on Monday. Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival that takes place on the day following Holi, the festival of colours. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)

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A Nihang performs 'Gatka', an ancient form of Sikh martial art, during the Hola Mohalla festival in Anandpur Sahib. (Money SHARMA/AFP)

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It was at Anandpur Sahib that the 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh had in 1699 baptized five men and founded the Khalsa Panth, which is the modern-day Sikh religion. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)

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Nihangs applied colours on each other and paid obeisance at various Gurdwaras, including Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)

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Nihangs ride their horses displaying tent pegging and other horse riding. The Hola Mohalla celebrations made its beginning around 1701 as Guru Gobind Singh wanted his troops to have mock battles to keep them battle-ready. (AFP)

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A Nihang’s turban is lined with steel rings, traditionally as protection from enemy weapons. (AFP)

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Young sikhs performs 'Gatka', an ancient form of Sikh martial art during a procession through the streets of Anandpur Sahib. (AFP)

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Lakhs of devotees and Nihangs visit Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib during the three-day festival. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)

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Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the 10 Sikh gurus, had created this as an occasion for Sikhs to show off their martial arts skills and host mock battles. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)

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A young Nihang after playing with Holi colours. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)

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Lakhs of devotees and Nihangs visited Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib, the second most important Sikh shrine after the Golden Temple in Amritsar. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)