(Jan. 20) Today I was graciously invited to my sponsor's home to celebrate a "puja," that is a worship, of the goddess Saraswati Panchami, the goddess of education and learning. This is not the biggest puja in the Hindi calendar, but certainly apropos for the students and faculty of the Institute. To celebrate, we had special Indian dishes. I can't possibly say what they are called, but they included many fruits and a rice dessert, and were quite delicious! The pictures show a special altar before which my sponsor and wife pray daily, as well as a larger altar in the living room.