Diwali Parade ...

Last night, on the way to dinner, we stumbled on a Diwali parade. It was wonderful.

At the head of the procession was a brightly lit float depicting a temple. Behind were trucks carrying people dressed in bright robes and turbans. And at the rear of the parade was a "mobile orchestra," a small vehicle carrying a five-piece band that played with enthusiasm.

Others marching in the parade played drums or -- in two cases -- tubas. If I closed my eyes, the drums' rhythm would have made me think I was at a college football game back in the States.

The parade paused at Trinity Circle -- at the western end of M.G. Road, Bangalore's main road -- for a noisy, colorful fireworks display.

As part of Diwali -- the Festival of Lights -- much of Bangalore has been lit up like New York or London at Christmas. Last night's parade added to the Thanksgiving/Christmas feeling. Coming a day after Halloween on Oct. 31, it was a little confusing. But fun.