New Year's "Eve" at the Office

Actually we're celebrating Dhanteras, the first day of the five-day Diwali Festival. On this day, Lakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth, is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being in the coming year. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word 'Dhan' literally means wealth and 'Tera' comes from the date 13th (trayodashi in Sanskrit and Teras in Hindi).

In the evening, the lamp is lit and Dhan-Lakshmi is welcomed into the house. Alpana or Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways, including the goddess' footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. Aartis. Some sing devotional hymns eulogizing Goddess Lakshmi and sweets and fruits are offered to her.

People flock to jewelers to buy gold or silver jewelry or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhanteras. Many wear new clothes and jewelry, as they light the first lamp of Diwali. Others engage in games of chance. But enough history! I wonder how you say "off the hook" in Hindi? Our office party was!

Immersion Group minus Danny,

gathered around the office rangoli made with flower pedals.

Our party planners had the place decked out.
Congrats to our Immersion Program buddies!

An assortment of games was played, all in good fun.

But here, I take down Uday, a senior manager, in the spoon race.

Chetan (On Site Program Coordinator) Danny, Emily, Kalie, Jon, Katie, Stephanie and Om.

Many thanks to Om and Kalie for such great camera work and for sharing so quickly!
Thanks so much to everyone for a great first day of Diwali!