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Livingston’s Hola Mohalla festival expected to bring thousands

Sun-Star Staff
SUN-STAR PHOTO BY LISA JAMES Thousands of Sikhs traveled to Livingston on March 28, 2010, for the annual Sikh Parade, known in Sikhism as the holiday Hola Mohalla. Hola Mohalla is a martial arts festival and parade that celebrate the Sikh religion. Mock fighting and sword dancing along with other martial arts are performed along the parade route as a float carrying the Guru Granth Sahib, or Sikhism’s Holy Scripture, leads the procession from and back to the temple on Peach Street, stopping at the Guru Nanak Temple on B Street along the way. As the colorful procession winds its way through town, locals congregate on lawns to greet the participants, many with beverages and plates of homemade food. The traditions of Hola Mohalla, which translates to “mock fight,” dates back to the 1700s, when Sikhs would march from town to town, demonstrating their fighting skills. The Livingston parade is one of several in Central California that help Sikhs preserve their traditions while introducing fellow residents to Sikh culture.
SUN-STAR PHOTO BY LISA JAMES Thousands of Sikhs traveled to Livingston on March 28, 2010, for the annual Sikh Parade, known in Sikhism as the holiday Hola Mohalla. Hola Mohalla is a martial arts festival and parade that celebrate the Sikh religion. Mock fighting and sword dancing along with other martial arts are performed along the parade route as a float carrying the Guru Granth Sahib, or Sikhism’s Holy Scripture, leads the procession from and back to the temple on Peach Street, stopping at the Guru Nanak Temple on B Street along the way. As the colorful procession winds its way through town, locals congregate on lawns to greet the participants, many with beverages and plates of homemade food. The traditions of Hola Mohalla, which translates to “mock fight,” dates back to the 1700s, when Sikhs would march from town to town, demonstrating their fighting skills. The Livingston parade is one of several in Central California that help Sikhs preserve their traditions while introducing fellow residents to Sikh culture. Merced Sun-Star

Livingston’s Sikhs will celebrate the 18th annual Hola Mohalla festival on Sunday with a parade and food expected to attract more than 3,500 people from around the state.

The festival is one of Livingston’s largest events, attracting people from Northern California and Los Angeles, said City Councilman Gurpal Samra, who helps organize the event.

Samra said the celebration originated in India, which has a history of war between opposing factions. Hola Mohalla, which translates to “mock fight,” dates back to the 1700s, when Sikhs would march from town to town, demonstrating their fighting skills.

“It lets people know two things,” Samra said about the mock fight, “One: There are people here in case we need them, and also to show the skills they have as far as defending them.”

Attendees will provide a variety of traditional foods, wear bright colors and play lively music.

The event, beginning around noon, will start at the Gurdwara Sahib Temple at 2765 Peach Ave., then move along Main Street to the Guru Nanak Temple on B Street.

The Livingston festival traditionally occurs the last Sunday in March. It lasts around four hours.

The Sikh festival is funded solely by donations, according to organizers.

Sikhism is a religion that was founded in India. It has 27 million followers, more than 5 million of them living outside India. Sikhs make up nearly 20 percent of Livingston’s population.

This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Livingston’s Hola Mohalla festival expected to bring thousands."

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