Security Measures Stepped Up At Sri Anandpur Sahib For Hola Mohalla.

Chandigarh; February 2026: To ensure uncompromised arrangements for the upcoming festival of Hola Mohalla at Sri Anandpur Sahib as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, yesterday, have reviewed the security arrangements at the spot to ensure that the event would be conducted in a smooth and secure

manner. The 03 day long annual Sikh festival Hola Mohalla will be held at Sri Anandpur Sahib from March 2 to March 4.

Chairing a coordination meeting with Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Rupnagar Range Nanak Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rupnagar Maninder Singh, Special DGP Arpit Shukla directed that an uncompromised arrangement should be made to facilitate lakhs of devotees from across the globe, who will gather to pay obeisance at the birthplace of Khalsa Panth.

Notably, the entire area has been systematically divided into 12 sectors, and a total force of around 5000 police personnel has been deployed to ensure the safety and security of the devotees. For aerial surveillance and crowd monitoring, six drones have been deployed, whose live feed will be monitored

at the central control room. Special DGP Arpit Shukla, while briefing all the sector in charges and police force deployed, directed them to adopt the utmost humble approach towards the sangat and work with full dedication and determination to make this event successful.

Reviewing the security arrangements, he said that many new initiatives have been implemented by the Rupnagar Police to ensure the peaceful and smooth conduct of the Hola Mohalla so that the pilgrims would not face any kind of hassle. The Special DGP said that a total of 21 parking areas, categorised by capacity, have been earmarked, and a colour coding scheme for parking and routes will be implemented to guide devotees. For the convenience of the pilgrims, 24×7 shuttle services, including 100 e-rickshaws and 50 mini-buses, will operate from the parking areas, he said.

He further added that QR-code-based information systems have been installed at various locations to help pilgrims access details regarding shuttle bus services, parking points, hospital locations, and other essential facilities. The Special DGP said that around 200 CCTV cameras, including PTZ and ANPR cameras, have been installed to cover city approach roads to get real-time information on traffic inflow, alongside 24×7 live surveillance through the CCTV Control Room at Police Station Anandpur Sahib.

For the first time, a three-layer barricading system is being implemented for effective crowd management at the Charan Ganga Stadium, he added.

The festival of Hola Mohalla is a symbol of the Chardhikala of the Punjabis in general and the Sikh community in particular, which witnesses huge participation of the people from different walks of life on the holy land of Sri Anandpur Sahib during the festival. Hola Mohalla is a significant Sikh festival that takes place annually in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, India. It was initiated by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, in 1701, as a means to foster the martial spirit among Sikhs. Unlike the Hindu festival of Holi, which it closely follows in the calendar, Hola Mohalla is not about playing with colours but is instead a showcase of Sikh valour, bravery, and martial arts.

Initiation by Guru Gobind Singh Ji: The establishment of Hola Mohalla by Guru Gobind Singh Ji was in response to the socio-political environment of the time. The late 17th and early 18th centuries were tumultuous for Sikhs due to increasing persecution by the Mughal Empire and the need for the Sikh community to defend itself against oppression. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who founded the Khalsa in 1699, sought to ensure that Sikhs were not only spiritually disciplined but also physically prepared to confront injustice.

An Alternative to Holi: While the Hindu festival of Holi involves throwing colours and celebrating the arrival of spring, Guru Gobind Singh Ji envisioned Hola Mohalla as a more practical and disciplined event. “Hola” is the masculine form of the word “Holi”, and “Mohalla” refers to an organized procession or an assembly. Guru Gobind Singh Ji used this occasion to gather Sikhs and train them in martial arts, military exercises, and mock battles. He wanted to prepare the Sikhs for real-life confrontations, embodying the qualities of saint-soldiers who could protect their faith and others from tyranny.

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