at any time of year a visitor to India can be overwhelmed by its beauty and color but a visitor in late fall is especially fortunate the temperature will have cooled down the monsoons will have not yet begun and Dali the Festival of Lights is at hand Dali is to many Indians what Christmas is to Christians in essence it commemorates the victory of the forces of light over the forces of Darkness to experience it fully Get Up Before Dawn and head for the flower markets here flower vendors work feverishly to create garlands of fragrant jazmen that
Indians will use to Adorn their homes by Dawn they'll be sold out next head for one of the temples but go early later on in the day they'll be packed on your way over you may see a curious site people hunched in front of their doorways pouring colored sand on the ground the sand takes the shape of a Lotus Blossom a symbol of welcome and today millions of symbols of Welcome will Grace the nation's doorways indeed deali is all about sharing if you're staying in a private home don't be surprised if the Neighbors show up
with plates of delicious holiday treats happy me it's also customary for families to go to the temples together on this day they often dress in fine new outfits purchased especially for Dali and if their outfits inspire you head for a sari shop shops are open on valy and Indian silks are justifiably famous for their beauty they're just one of the ways India spruces up and gets into the holiday spirit so this is an occasion for all of us to rejoice and be with the family and enjoy all the good things in life so we buy
good clothes and make good food and everywhere there are lights if you head to major commercial districts throughout India you'll find color displays comparable to Christmas lights in Western cities some cities also put on spectacular public displays of fireworks like this one in Delhi but no matter where you are there are smaller more intimate fireworks displays a long day of celebrations is coming to an end and it's going out with a Fang
