Hola Mohalla & Amritsar

Photo Workshop

With

Abhishek Hajela
17th - 20th Mar

 

Hola Mohalla will heavily emphasise people photography and we hope that you will attempt to tell a story with your images taken at this colourful festival.

Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival celebrated in the month of Phalguna, a day after Holi. An annual festival held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Hola Mohalla was started by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles on the day following the festival of Holi. It reminds the people of valour and defence preparedness, concepts dear to the Tenth Guru who was at that time battling the Mughal empire. On this three-day festival, mock battles are held followed by music and poetry competitions. The Nihang Singhs (members of the Sikh army that was founded by Guru Govind Singh) carry on the martial tradition with mock battles and displays of swordsmanship and horse riding. They perform daring feats, such as Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding and standing erect on two speeding horses.

 

Date:
March 17 - 20, 2022

Participation Fee:
INR 39,900 + GST

 

Trip Leader:

Abhishek Hajela 

(Nikon Professional and National Geographic Traveller Photographer)

*Abhishek is fully vaccinated. 

* If Lockdown or any COVID related protocols come into play, all fees will be refunded. If paying through an App, the refund will be minus the processing fee and in case of a bank transfer, it will be refunded minus the bank charges. 

Book Here:
Contact for Bank Transfer
 

Trip At a Glance:

• A 3-day Photographic centric trip focusing on storytelling, portrait and people photography
• Critique session of your current work and images shot on the trip will take place
• Mini sessions will be available for all kinds of Photography needs and advice
• Lecture on basics of photography and workflow
• Tips on post-production, editing on lightroom, storage and other aspects will be covered 
• Morning and evening photo walks, photo sessions and guided portraits
• Stay at a comfortable accommodation, have local delicacies and cuisine that are typical to the region 

 

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive at Chandigarh - Drive to Anandpur Sahib

This morning we will meet at Chandigarh Airport from where we will start our drive to Anandpur Sahib — where the very dramatic Holla Mohalla takes place.

The Holla Mohalla is an impressive traditional display of bravery and valour that is a must-see.
The ultimate display of machismo - Holla Mohalla, an annual Sikh festival held a day after Holi, has the drama, the sweat and the incredible colours that Indian festivals are known for. With impressive displays of weaponry, archery and wrestling, there's also music, poetry and prayers, singing and chanting. An important part of the festival is the langar (community food) that is served to pilgrims irrespective of their religion or caste. One of the main attractions at the festival is the Nihangs — a prestigious armed sect of the Sikha who wears a striking blend of blue and orange, with thick twisted moustaches and overwhelmingly large and embellished turbans. They also demonstrate thrilling horse riding shows where the riders gallop bareback, performing tricks like riding astride two horses. Holla Mohalla is held at Anandpur Sahib in the state of Punjab, and it is estimated that over 100,000 Sikh devotees attend the festival. This is an amazing festival with great photo opportunities!

 

Day 02: In Anandpur Sahib
We will start early in the morning to witness and capture the various activities that take place during the festival. We will spend the entire day here photographing this colourful and amazing festival.

 

Day 03: Anandpur Sahib - Amritsar
After our morning you shoot will be starting our drive to Amritsar.

Later we will head out in the city for our first walk in this bustling town.

Founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Ram Das, Amritsar is home to Sikhism’s holiest shrine, the magical Golden Temple, one of India’s most serene and humbling sights. Amritsar is divided in two the old and the new. 12 medieval gates bound the old city, with the Golden Temple and other historic sights - this is a fascinating area to explore, with a capillary network of narrow bazaars that seems to float between the centuries. To the north of the railway lines, ‘modern’ Amritsar has grown up in haphazard fashion around a scattering of colonial-era boulevards. Gleaming malls and upmarket hotels stand testament to the prosperity of the city, but the hectic traffic makes this area hard to love at street level. Crossing between the old and new cities is best done by cycle-rickshaw, but once you’re in the old city, walking is often the quickest way to get around.

Later today we will visit the Wagah Border. Located on the India/Pakistan border, Wagah is 28 kilometres from the Amritsar main town. A good number of visitors come to this place to witness the “Changing of the Guard” ceremony and the flag hoisting and lowering activities which are done with great skill and precision by the border security forces of both the countries. A sight you cannot afford to miss.

 

Day 04: Amritsar - Departure
Early this morning we cover the Prabhat Pheri or the early morning procession at the Golden Temple.

There is a continuous singing of Gurbani Kiran, hymns from the opening of its portals (doors) to their closing. After the departure of the Palki Sahib (palanquin) carrying the sacred book - Sri Guru Granth Sahib to The Akal Takhat Sahib temple, the devotees, accompanied by the Gurdwara's temple staff, clean the Sri Harimandir Sahib for one hour. During this process these devotees sing the Gurbani Kiran religious songs in melodious and devotional tones. After purifying the precincts, the rugs are spread, on which the Peera Sahib (a small cot) is placed to install the Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the early morning. At the completion of the Ardas (Sikh Prayer), Karah Prasad (holy offering) is distributed among the devotees. We will spend most of our morning at the Golden Temple, which offers great Photo opportunities!

The Golden Temple is located in the heart of the city and is the most visited tourist attraction of Amritsar. Characterized by its four entrance doors (called deoris) in all four directions and the tastefully decorated shrines, in terms of art and architecture, the Golden Temple welcomes everyone regardless of the religion or faith one follows. The stunning sanctum, shimmering in the water of the holy tank, flanked by spotlessly clean marble walkways and pavements makes it breathtakingly beautiful.

Later today catch your flight back home.

 

 

INCLUSIONS:

Ø  Accommodation based on twin sharing rooms as per the itinerary for 03 nights.

Ø  Trip is based on full board basis starting from lunch on the 17th till breakfast on the 20th of March

Ø  Arrival/Departure transfers, sightseeing’s, excursions and surface transfers using Tempo Traveller

Ø  All currently applicable taxes.

 

EXCLUSIONS

Ø  Domestic Airfare

Ø  Any other thing not mentioned in the program or “Cost Includes”