Festival · PUNJAB
March (day after Holi) · Anandpur Sahib
Three-day Sikh martial arts festival founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1701 at Anandpur Sahib, with Nihang warriors performing horseback stunts, gatka, and mock battles.
Why it mattersThe most spectacular Sikh festival — Nihang warriors in blue demonstrate martial prowess at the birthplace of the Khalsa.
March is Anandpur Sahib's headline month. Hola Mohalla — the Sikh festival of martial arts, poetry, music, and langar — transforms the town into a spectacle of Nihang warriors on horseback, mock battles, and community feasting that feeds hundreds of thousands for free.
Live in Anandpur Sahib
Free accommodation for pilgrims at the gurdwara sarai. Basic but clean rooms. The experience of waking up to kirtan and walking to the gurdwara is the whole point. Book through the gurdwara management.
Signaturerajma chawal
Skip lunch hours (12-2pm) when langar pilgrims overflow here too — early breakfast or 4pm tea-and-paratha is the easier window.
Signaturewood-fired pizza
Closes by 10pm and is best for an evening break after the Virasat-e-Khalsa light show; mornings are slow with limited staff.
Signaturepinni
Buy pinni in the smallest 250g pack first — they're heavy with ghee and gond, and most travellers regret a half-kilo box by day two.
Signaturedal makhani thali
Order the dal makhani with a missi roti rather than the standard tandoori — the kitchen makes both fresh, but the missi has the chickpea-flour bite that goes with langar-style food.
Stunning modern museum designed by Moshe Safdie depicting 500 years of Sikh history through multimedia.
One of five Sikh Takhts. Where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in 1699. Houses sacred weapons.
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