The Story Behind Why Do We Celebrate the Holi Festival

21 March 2024
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Holi, the festival of colours, is a vibrant celebration that captivates hearts and souls across India and beyond. Its origins are steeped in myth and legend, weaving a tapestry of traditions, beliefs, and cultural significance. As we gear up to immerse ourselves in hues of happiness, let's embark on a detailed journey to uncover the fascinating story behind why we celebrate the Holi festival.

The Legend of Holika and Prahlad:
At the heart of Holi lies an ancient tale of good triumphing over evil, rooted in Hindu mythology. The story revolves around Holika, the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu, and Prahlad, his devout son. Hiranyakashipu, fueled by his arrogance and thirst for power, sought to be worshipped as a god and forbade anyone from worshipping Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. However, Prahlad remained unwavering in his devotion to Lord Vishnu, much to his father's dismay. To eliminate Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu enlisted the help of his sister Holika, who possessed a magical shawl that rendered her immune to fire. Together, they plotted to burn Prahlad alive.

The Triumph of Goodness:
As the flames engulfed them, a miraculous turn of events unfolded. While Holika perished in the fire, Prahlad emerged unscathed, protected by his unwavering faith and Lord Vishnu's divine intervention. The victory of righteousness over malevolence symbolises the essence of Holi, inspiring us to uphold goodness, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity.

The Joy of Colors: Celebrating Life and Unity:
In addition to its mythological significance, Holi is celebrated as a festival of love, friendship, and community. On the day of Holi, people come together to revel in the exuberance of colours, smearing each other with vibrant hues of gulal and water-based dyes. The playful exchange of colours transcends caste, creed, and social status barriers, fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity among people. It's a time to let go of inhibitions, embrace spontaneity, and cherish the bonds of friendship and brotherhood.

Indulging in Delights: Holi Special Treats and Traditions:
No festival is complete without indulging in delectable treats and traditional delicacies. Holi is synonymous with mouth-watering delights such as gujiya, a sweet dumpling filled with khoya and dry fruits, and thandai, a refreshing drink infused with aromatic spices and nuts.

Spreading Joy Beyond Boundaries: Holi in the Modern Era:
In today's digital age, the spirit of Holi transcends geographical boundaries, with people from all walks of life coming together to celebrate the festival with fervour and enthusiasm. From vibrant street parades and community gatherings to virtual celebrations and social media exchanges, Holi serves as a reminder of the inherent beauty of diversity and inclusivity.

As we immerse ourselves in the kaleidoscope of colours and revelry, let's cherish the timeless tale of Holi and its profound message of love, unity, and triumph of good over evil. Whether it's smearing colours on loved ones, savouring delicious treats, or dancing to the beat of traditional folk music, let's embrace the joyous spirit of Holi and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Happy Holi!

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to Podar International School! As parents and guardians, you want to give your children the best of everything- quality education, a safe and nurturing environment and means to live a well-balanced, holistic life. By enrolling your children at Podar International School, you will be taking the first step towards a bright future for your children.

With 90+ years of expertise in the field of learning, Podar International School is considered among the best CBSE, ICSE and International schools in India. The Podar group has under its wings:

  • A combined student strength of more than 2,50,000
  • Support of 8,000 dedicated and loyal staff members.

Offering learning programs from pre-primary to class 12, we’re among the best and all-encompassing schools in India. Considered among the pioneers of education in India, Podar offers a plethora of educational streams such as:

  • Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
  • Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
  • Secondary School Certificate (SSC)
  • Cambridge (IGCSE)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)

We believe in holistic learning. While we want your child to excel in academics, we also don’t want them to diminish their passion. Our job, as an educational institute, is to prepare the young minds of today for a bright tomorrow. Hence, we focus on creating all-rounders.

Thanks to the variety of boards offered, as parents you have the choice to select between multiple options, all under one umbrella. Podar is considered among the best CBSE schools in India, and the best ICSE schools in India in addition to holding its position among the top international schools in India. Why so? Because of the quality of education we provide. Our innovative learning methods, equal focus on academics and extracurricular, and a strong curriculum all together are a perfect combination for growth and success.

Through the Podar Innovation center, 80+ academicians have come together to create a curriculum and content based on the guidelines of various boards including CBSE, ICSE, CAIE and the Maharashtra State Board. Apart from offering a strong syllabus and curriculum, the PIC also offers facilities and programs such as remedial learning that help teachers in assisting students to cope with difficult concepts, symphonic, math gym, math lab and life skills that are appropriate for their future and help them in becoming independent.

When we call ourselves pioneers and cheerleaders of education in India, we take those monikers seriously. We want to make learning accessible to all, and for that we will have to spread our wings. Podar International School is present across the length and breadth of the country through multiple branches. This makes education accessible to everyone.

Besides, we also understand that in today’s day and age, most parents are also chasing their own careers while trying to give their kids the best quality of life and education. To aid them in their journey and not stop them from realizing their dreams, the presence of Podar International School in various parts of the country gives it an edge. If you’re a parent in a transferable job, enrolling your child in our school will help you pick up the next best opportunity as we have branches across multiple cities and states. Once your child is a part of the Podar Education Network, it will be easier for you to re-enroll them in a hassle-free manner in one of the top schools in India.

The icing on the cake, needless to say, is the Podar Innovation Centre that helps bind us all. A centralized learning centre makes the job easier for the teachers, students, and parents. Add to it our strong parent-teacher community that comes together often to ensure they’re on the same page and to discuss all the different ways they can make school life easy and fun for children.

In summation, at Podar:

  • We’re technology first
  • Have state-of-the-art infrastructure
  • Have provisions for Indoor and outdoor games
  • Have a stress-free and clean environment
  • Well-equipped, ventilated, and spacious classrooms

And so much more.

For those interested in admitting their kids to our school, our admission process is swift and easy. Please visit https://www.podareducation.org/admissions for more information.

Apart from these, we're present in multiple other locations across the country.

Yes. All Podar International Schools in India are privately owned and managed.

The Podar Network of Schools provides a diverse range of educational opportunities, including the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Cambridge (IGCSE), and the International Baccalaureate (IB).

There are 149 Podar International Schools located all over the country.

Dr. Pavan Podar is the Chairman of Podar Education Network.

The admission process is simple. Admissions are on a first come first serve basis in Podar International School. Requesting you to please contact the school office for more information - https://www.podareducation.org/locations. Admissions are also available online. Please visit https://www.podareducation.org/admissions for more information.