The festival of Hola Mohalla was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Poonch on Thursday as a grand Nagar Kirtan was taken out across the city, drawing participation from a large number of devotees. The Nagar Kirtan commenced from Gurdwara Singh Sabha and passed through different parts of the town including the main market, Qila Bazar and Bus Stand, before culminating again at the Gurdwara via Nakhan Wali Road and Parade Ground.
Men, women and children participated in large numbers, adding to the festive spirit. Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police Shafket Hussain Bhat joined the procession and extended warm greetings to the people. They were accompanied by Additional SP, Tehsildar, Dy. SP Operations, Dy. SP DAR and SHO along with other officers from the district administration and police department.
The youth showcased the traditional Sikh martial art Gatka, displaying various warfare techniques and mock battle skills which captivated the audience. The tradition of celebrating Hola Mohalla was initiated by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, with the aim of strengthening the Sikh community through demonstrations of martial skills and military preparedness.
Several prominent personalities and religious leaders also participated in the rally, including vice President DGPC, Surinder Singh, General Secretary DGPC Harcharan Singh, organizer of Ram Dass Sewa Society Poonch Anmol Singh, Secretary GBMMS Balbir Singh, Chairman Gurdwara Bhai Rocha Singh S. Onkar Singh, Member GM BMMS, Parveen Singh, Daljeet Singh, Manager Super Bazar, Surinder Singh, DGPC Member, Tirath Singh besides other members of the Sikh community.
The district administration and police officials accompanied the procession throughout the route, ensuring smooth conduct of the event while also joining the devotees in the celebrations.