rhaps the concept of a 'holiday' is as old as the creation of man itself. The Bible tells that God created the world for 6 days and took rest on the 7th day. Since God created man in his image, man also thought it worth while to earmark one day of the week as a day for rest — 'the Sabbath'. Jews observe Sabbath religiously. Apart from religious considerations, Holidays have always charmed the mankind in all countries and all cultures of the world. One day week end or two days week- end in a week may be inventions of the modern man in an Industrial age, but days of festivities following the sowing or harvesting of crops are regularly enjoyed by agricultural communities since times immemorial.
Many dances and folk songs have evolved around such festivities. When we mention holidays we usually refer to summer, autumn and winter vacation enjoyed by the students or week-ends or spans of leave enjoyed by working people away from their day-to-day work. Such holidays work as a wonderful tonic to fight mental fatigue. Torn away from the work place, mind finds rest and recuperation in pleasant and congenial surroundings. Some people undertake excursions to pleasure resorts on hills or beaches while others visit places of historical importance or pilgrimage.
Still others visit their relations or friends to renew ties and bonds of affection and to spend time together in groups or play. Whatever be the mode of spending holidays if it is spent in open, healthy surroundings and in company of agreeable people it surely breaks the monotony of daily existence and refreshes the mind. It induces a sense of enthusiasm and vitality in his outlook. If imaginatively planned, hol idays can be a source of great pleasure and excitement. Most ofthe city dwellers lead a regimented and mechanical existence shuttling between Place of work or study and the residence. They have very few intimate friends or relations to mix with and get emotional sustenance from. Holidaysprovide excellent OPP0rtunity to visit intimate friends and relatives. Picnics and excursions cannot only bring you relaxation but can also cement the bonds of affection by engagingin collective activities.
