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Tuesday, 18 March 2008 |
 Annual five-day Hola Mohalla marking the birth of the Khalsa has started in the historic towns of Kiratpur Sahib and Anandpur Sahib. Nealy five lakh pilgrims from across the country are expected to converge here in three days. Pilgrims have already started arriving in trucks and tractor trailers carrying food items, tents and even scooters for local mobility. Rural masses have started occupying vacant lands and deras to set up tents and langars for pilgrims.
Nihangs, the ‘Guru’s soldiers,’ have started arriving on horses to the beats of the drum declaring their arrival. They have been carrying the over 300-year tradition now limited to the Hola day (the last day of celebrations) when they display martial arts in the Charan Ganga Stadium.
Conferences by political parties that is one of main features of Hola Mohalla are scheduled on March 21. The locals expect some major announcements from Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal during the political conference of the SAD. However, due to the code of conduct relating to the elections coming into force, the CM might not be in a position to make any announcement.
The Hola Mohalla celebrations had been ignored by top leadership of the Congress in the past two years. However, the sources in the party said this year top Congress leaders, including union minister for tourism Ambika Soni, might attend the conference.
Due to security reasons, the district administration has made some changes in arrangements. Deputy commissioner B. Purusartha said every effort had been made the security measures did not cause any discomfort to pilgrims.
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