–
Holi is the festival in which we celebrate the killing of Hiranyakashyap’s sister Holika. The story goes like this…
Holika was a demon and the sister of Hiranayakashyap, the demon king. When Hiranayakashyap died in the hands of Narasimha thanks to Prahlad’s prayers, Holika wanted to take revenge on him. Holika had a special boon that prevented her from being harmed by fire. So she had an idea of testing her strength against Prahlad’s bhakti. A huge bonfire was made and Holika walked into the fire with Prahlad in her arms.
But as soon as the fire started raging, Prahlad started chanting his favorite God’s name, Om Namo Narayanaya. Vishnu was so touched by Prahlad’s devotion that he reversed the boon granted to Holika. Holika burnt in the fire while Prahlad emerged unscathed.
The idea of Holi is to remind us to kill the demonic forces within and around us. We must kill the ugly and start afresh with new energy. Holi also happens during the season of spring where everything is fresh and new.
What are you waiting for?
–
– 0 –
Things To Do In Atlanta
I’ve Got FIFA Fever. Just Not The Kind You Think I Do.
If you've got the FIFA Football fever, you've probably watched the Argentina vs Austria match where Messi broke the World Cup goals record for most career goals in World Cup. And so many other energetic games that are being played across USA, Canada and Mexico over...
All That She Carried: Stories of Motherhood – A Podcast by Her Munzill
Recently, I had the privilege of joining a conversation on motherhood, the immigrant experience, and modern-day parenting. Vandana and Shikha are hosts of the HerMunzill podcast which is a destination for South Asian women to share stories of their journey and...
An Indian American Mom’s Journey Across America: The Surprising Lessons and Lifelong Friendships I Found on the Road
Foot Loose In America Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts. It even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you. It should change you. ~ Anthony Bourdain
The America I Met at a Truck Stop: A Road Trip, Kind Strangers, and the Small Acts That Hold Us Together
These days, when I ask my children to come with me on road trips, they think I'm looking for a buddy so I can share the driving load. At 21 and 17, they have every right to think what they want. But what parent doesn't want to stay attached to the hip of their child,...
Unforgettable Travel Essays That Reveal Art, Belonging & Humanity Beyond Any Map
I am writing to introduce you to my travel essays because these are pieces I'm most proud of. I'm attaching a few lines from some essays here. Hope you enjoy them and visit the place vicariously through my words. "I still get goosebumps when I think about the...
Beyond GenAI Pilots: How Enterprises Build Scalable AI with Governance and Trust
Current State of AI Affairs If you're a transformation leader at your organization, or lead any type of team, you must have seen multiple memos by now from senior leadership on the need to innovate and incorporate AI into your existing workflows. These can come...
Empowering Women to Lead in AI: Inside the ElevateHER Launch Event in Atlanta
A Keynote On Women Leaders In AI On March 20th, I attended the launch party of ElevateHER, a non-profit dedicated to building an ecosystem for women to lead in AI. It felt like the perfect opportunity to step into the world of AI firsthand and see what...
Building Trust and Safety: How Accountability Strengthens Law Enforcement and Communities
I have lived in the United States for nearly twenty-four years. This is my home. I am a person of color, and so are my children. In my city of Johns Creek, a suburb northwest of Atlanta, I often see police officers on the roads. I respect the work they do. They show...
I Stumbled Upon a Baby Shower in a Café. It Became a Reminder That Joy Finds Us Anywhere.
It's safe to say it's been a while since I've attended a baby shower. I don't even come across infants on a regular basis. I last saw a baby (almost 1 year old) was at a party this past Thanksgiving. My friend had a grandbaby in 2025. So, that's that. And also...
Living in America’s Melting Pot While Confronting the Housing Crisis No One Talks About
It’s safe to say that even in America, as a true blooded Indian, I live in my own world of Indian food and Bollywood style parties. What little I understand about how everyone else lives is mostly through shows like Friends, Seinfeld, Sex and the City and movies like...
Finding Peace on a Walk Across America: What a Dog, the Deep South, and a Buddhist Monk Teach Us
How Do We Find Peace? “By practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is the medicine we all need.” This was the answer given by a Buddhist monk at the Walk for Peace event yesterday in deep south Georgia. And what a moment it was. A Pilgrimage of Peace in...
Writer-At-Large – The 2025 Indian-American Documentary – Final Part
Continued from Part I HERE JULY My son sent me pictures of the Harvard university library from his visit to Boston and I lamented to him that it's the right place for me, and then got back to my life here in ATL. After all, I had to wash all our Indian...