Anandpur Sahib (Punjab), Feb 27 (IANS) The three-day Sikh festival Holla Mohalla started here at the Keshgarh Sahib Gurdwara Saturday amid huge fanfare and enthusiasm.

Thousands of devotees, including many NRIs and Sikhs from the traditional warrior sect Nihang, thronged the gurdwara to participate in the festival and pay obeisance to the high seat of Sikh religion.

'This is a very big event for us and for the last many weeks we were preparing to make it a big success. We are expecting lakhs of followers to converge here and have made ample arrangements for them,' said Tarlochan Singh, jathedar (head priest) of Keshgarh Sahib Gurdwara.

Police have made strict security arrangements and diverted traffic to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.

The annual Holla Mohalla festival is observed by the Sikh community at Anandpur Sahib, around 40 km from state capital Chandigarh, to coincide with the Hindu festival of colours, Holi.

Holla Mohalla is famous for its colourful celebrations and the traditional valour and display of acrobatic martial art by the Nihang community. During the festival, the Nihangs are divided into two camps - Hola and Mohalla - and a mock battle takes place between the two sides.

Anandpur Sahib is the place where the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa (The Pure) April 13, 1699. The modern Sikh religion, known for its bravery, sacrifice and entrepreneurship, derives much of its inspiration from the Khalsa Panth.