Hola Mohalla sees decline in footfall

Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, March 9

Amid Covid scare, the number of visitors to Hola Mohalla reduced to less than 50 per cent this year. The management of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and shopkeepers confirmed that the footfall had gone down this time.

The six-day Hola Mohalla, which started from Kiratpur Sahib on March 5, recorded 5 lakh visitors in the last two days.

Usually, more than 10 lakh devotees throng the town on the second day of the festival at Anandpur Sahib and the number surpasses 15 lakh on the concluding day when Nihang Sikhs take out ‘mohalla’ (procession) and display horse-riding skills.

Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib manager Jasbir Singh said there was decrease in offerings at the gurdwara. Though there was no reduction in the number of devotees from rural areas, those living in cities avoided coming to the festival, he added.

The number of visitors at Virasat-e-Khalsa, however, set a new record. According to the manager, over 22,000 people visited the museum today. “Last year, the number was 20,569,” he added.

Meanwhile, The district administration has announced mandatory medical check-up for visitors coming from abroad. DC Vinay Bablani said all visitors had to report first at the control room set up at Anandpur Sahib police station. From there, they would be taken to a government hospital.