The most important holiday in India is Diwali which is known as the Festival of Lights. It is mainly a Hindu festival; but, it is celebrated by most people in India like Christmas is in the West.

We have been told that during the festival most people clean their homes, give each other gifts, decorate their front door, & light small oil lamps around their home.

After nightfall, people also shoot fireworks & light firecrackers. Some firecrackers were so loud, they sounded like minor explosions.

More Diwali info:

Everywhere we went we saw street vendors selling countless stacks of yellow & orange marigolds to decorate their home, business, or vehicle.

When we arrived at our hotel, decorations were everywhere in the lobby.

Our hotel room even had Diwali decorations & treats waiting for us

We were then invited to participate in lighting the small lanterns at our hotel

Our guide service informed us we were invited to a local home to enjoy the special evening which was a total surprise.

On the drive there, we saw many buildings decorated with lights to commemorate the holiday.

We also saw women carrying trays filled with small lanterns to place in their local temple.

Our host family shared their life stories & family history, then asked us about ours before the meal was served.

The son & his wife offered us both gifts. For me, a scarf & for my husband, a turban sporting the local Jaipur colors.

The mother prepared the meal.

The main course & desserts were delicious.

It was so marvelous to participate in this special holiday with such wonderful & kind people who opened their home to us on their biggest celebration. This experience is what makes traveling to different countries so special.