If You're Going To...Put Jasmine In Your Hair

There are plenty of smells in India - both pleasing and unpleasant.  One of the most delightful is the fragrance of fresh jasmine that Indian women wear in their hair -- particularly in South India.

Several of the local staff who work at the U.S. Consulate wear the pretty flowers in their tresses.  But jasmine is also used as a religious offering -- or pooja -- at Hindu temples.  It signifies divine hope.

Jasmine is prevalent on the city streets and around temples, where people are busy stringing together garlands of the white flowers.