But even when it's not Divali, these vibrantly colored garlands are draped in obvious locations such as tiny Hindu roadside temples and grand Sikh Gurudwaras; you see "phool wallas" or flower sellers set up outside, selling floral garlands. But what sparks the magic for me is that you also see so many marigold garlands draped in the more unexpected or mundane of places. Places of import to Hindu believers: on cars, cows, trees, places of work... it is touching and humbling to see the places where people choose to put these visual symbols of their gratitude and reverence. 
A statue of Krishna with a marigold garland, photo  © Carter Seibels

Interestingly, the marigold is also the Mexican national symbol for Day of the Day festival. Natively called cempasúchil, it features prominently in altars and in houses during this celebration meant to remind observers of the brevity of life, and allow them an opportunity to celebrate and connect with deceased loved ones.

Day of the Dead image from Flavors of the Sun Blog 

I've often wondered how the marigold became such a soulful icon in India, and recently I stumbled upon this article from National Geographic that gives a lot of insight. Though if you google it, I think you'll also find that the answer seems to be steeped in lore as much as fact (like many things in Indian culture 😉), and hard to get to the bottom of. According to the article, Spanish and Portuguese traders first brought marigolds to India more than 350 years ago. Before they arrived in India, these glowing yellow and orange blossoms had a rich and important history in the Americas and Mexico, dating back to pre-Colombian times. They were believed by the Aztecs to have magical and medicinal properties; and it has been scientifically proven that their strong odour helps to keep pests away. From a practical perspective, this is why they are used to make torana, or door garlands, as they help keep bugs out of a home.

Faux Marigold Torana in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. photo © Carter Seibels

Their saffron/orange color makes them auspicious in Indian culture; in Hinduism, this color represents renunciation, courage, and sacrifice, which is why they are used as offerings to God. They are frequently used to honor Laxmi and Ganesh, specifically.

With all of this history and lore, it's no wonder that these fiery little blossoms grew to be a favorite in India. They certainly are one of my favorite parts of visiting this intriguing and mystifying land.

We love marigolds and (all flowers, if we're being honest😉), here at WomanShopsWorld. Shop our curated Flower Power Collection below: