We all met in the lobby at six to admire the colorful decorations and lights. Some traditional Indian sweets were passed around. Then, we made our way outside to the front of the hotel.
All week we had been hearing fireworks going off in Hyderabad, but now it was time to light our own! We were all given sparklers, much like the 4th of July in America, but we used those sparklers to light more substantial fireworks in the driveway!
Many of the hotel staff members we have come to know really well came out to join in on the fun, and we all had a great evening.
Afterward, we went out to dinner. A place called Rotis, another vegetarian buffet, was within walking distance, and had been on our list to try. An added benefit was seeing many other fireworks bursting through the sky, as we headed to and walked back from the restaurant. What a great way to end the Diwali weekend!
FYI - The 'red dot' is known as a 'bindi.' In India it's is worn by Hindu girls and women on the forehead. The term is derived from bindu, the Sanskrit word for a dot or a point. It is usually made with vermilion. Considered a blessed symbol of Indian goddesses, a bindi signifies female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands. Once a symbol of marriage, it has now become a decorative item and is worn today by unmarried women and those of other religions as well. The guys were into it for reasons known only to themselves.
