Hola Mahalla - March 2008 Pics

[Akaali]

[Freed]

Great Pictures - Here are a couple more from this years Hola

And an extra one - it's not from Anandpur but I just love it !

Freed

[saint-soldier]

wow i was just looking for these on the net, nice work talikhaak and freed

[THE WARRIOR]

Freed,

what's the Nihang Singh Spearing?

[Surinderjit]

Freed,

what's the Nihang Singh Spearing?

I know this is directed at freed, but i think it's a small bundle of hay/wheat supported by two smaller ones at the bottom.

Freed, please correct me if I am wrong...

wjkk, wjkf

[Freed]

Yep that's what it is Surinderjit - you beat me too it !

Here's what I was gonna write !

The Singhs are 'Tent Pegging' - the target is usually made of straw.

'Tent pegging' involves galloping at full speed with a Lance/spear to spear a target fixed in the ground.

It involves great skill both as a rider and user of a weapon - it basically is a training exercise but shows off the prowess of the individual rider.

Tent pegging gets it's name from warriors launching a surprise attack on a sleeping enemy - the mounted warriors would launch an attack at dawn or at night while the enemy were asleep in their tents - spearing and pulling out the tent pegs - thereby collapsing the tent on top of the sleeping enemy - disorientating them.

I have also heard that it is an ancient Indian technique to fight against 'Fighting elephants' - a mounted warrior would use a spear and charge at an elephant - and stab at it's feet ( a particularly vunerable area) or forehead - areas not protected - thereby causing the elephant to run amok , dismounting its rider and trampling the foot soldiers. - Like Bhai Bachittar Singh using the 'Nagni Barccha' against the Elephant whilst defending Lohgarh Killa.

Bhai Bachittar Singh

A Close up of the 'Peg'

Hope that was of some use ,

Freed

[rupinder singh]

I love learning about new stuff!! Thanks guys.

[caveman]

i want to go to anandpur sahib at vasiakhi or hola mohala