Vadbhag Singh Sodhi
Hola Mohalla fair
### Hola Mohalla fair

The Hola Mohalla fair is held at Dera Vadbhag Singh on the full moon day in the [Vikrami](/wiki/Vikram_Samvat "Vikram Samvat") month of [Phalgun](/wiki/Falgun "Falgun") (February–March). The fair lasts for ten days, i.e. a week before the full\-moon and two days after. The fair is attended by those possessed people and their relatives or who seek protection against similar malign influences. Most of the women who attend the fair are possessed.

The *dolis* (afflicted persons) are seated in rows while metal platters and drums are beaten to charm the evil spirits. During the drumming, the *dolis* who continue tossing and swaying their heads about are made to inhale the smoke of burning incense. A number of methods are adopted to torture the evil spirits until they leave the body. At that stage the spirit is asked to proceed to the *dhaulidhar* (waterfall) to which it agrees. The spirit is then questioned whether it has arrived and sees Baba Vadbhag Singh with a cage. When the spirit replies in the affirmative, it is asked to enter the cage and to request Baba Ji to shut the cage. The *dolis* is then seen to have recovered. Every visitor who attends the fair pays obeisance at the shrine besides taking a holy bath at the *dhaulidhar* or *charan ganga,* especially on the full moon–day. The devotees take the *dhaulidhar* [sacred water](/wiki/Holy_water%23Sikhism "Holy water#Sikhism") home. The most important ceremony at the shrine is the hoisting of the flag *Nishan Sahib*. It is done on the full moon day. The old Nishan Sahib is retired after recitation of supplication. The devotees try to obtain a piece of the old cloth or various other articles attached to the old flag, such as [cowrie](/wiki/Cowrie "Cowrie") shells, [betelnuts](/wiki/Areca_nut "Areca nut"), or coins. Possession of these is regarded as a boon. A young pine tree that may be as tall as ., and whose trunk measures  in diameter is earmarked every third year to serve as a flagpole for the Nishan Sahib. *[Lacs](/wiki/Lakh "Lakh")* of people attend the fair from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Himachal. The Sikhs of [Doaba](/wiki/Doaba "Doaba"), [Majha](/wiki/Majha "Majha") and [Malwa](/wiki/Malwa "Malwa") tracts of Punjab especially are votaries of Vadbhag Singh and attend the fair in large numbers.


What is the purpose of the Nishan Sahib being raised every three years?