Marigolds are Everywhere!

When you tell people you are going to live and work in India for five months as a Fulbright Scholar, you get a wide range of reactions. Some, of course, congratulate you; some express worry about your safety and surprise at your choice. As the world’s largest democracy (currently 1.5 billion people and surpassing China) and a developing nation, India can get a bad rap among people who have never been there.

In my first few weeks in Delhi trying to get settled, I discovered so many gems. Every time I turned around, I saw a beautiful temple tucked into what looked like should be a perfectly ordinary store space; people stopped me on the street to see if I needed help finding my way around the city (and also to ask me where I was from); and the flowers! Garlands of marigolds graced houses, my bed and breakfast had an incredible rooftop garden, and every apartment I looked at had an outdoor space with blooming flowers. I found the bowls of marigolds to be indescribable. They are sold by street vendors and near temples for worshippers. I just loved the concentrated yellows and golds and the spicy smell. Indian friends have told me that marigolds have a special significance for Hindus, who use them in weddings and festivities as a symbol of the brightness and positive energy of the sun. Surely they foretell more bright things to come!