2 minute read
After returning from India in late July I was not expecting to visit again until the end of November. August to October is festival season culminating in Diwali and while the work carries on as normal there is always one special celebration or another going on.
As it turns out my plans failed and I find myself back in our Pune office to work with the team on some key projects and excitingly, I am in the country for Ganesha Chaturthi.
Ganesha Chaturthi is one of India’s most important festivals, celebrated in honour of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity known for removing obstacles and ushering in new beginnings. The festival, which typically spans ten days, marks Ganesha’s birthday, and is observed with rituals, music, decorations, and this being India, plenty of sweets.
With festivals in India it is common, almost standard, to celebrate with friends and family as well as with office colleagues. Xperate is no different and at 10:30am local time many of the Xperate team and their families arrived at the office to celebrate together. The local brahmin booked for the occasion failed to turn up so Bharat Gidde took over.
Bharat Gidde, Xperate CTO
It is traditional to build a model to house an idol and our team have been busy building, celebrating the local forts in Pune which became a UNESCO World Heritage site this year. One corner of the X-Café has been dedicated to it and the attention to detail is incredible. After the formal ceremony or puja everyone sat down to a traditional breakfast including modak—a sweet dumpling said to be Ganesha’s favourite. The puja will be repeated in the office, morning and evening until the end of the celebrations on the 5th September.
Behind the fun and festivities lies a deeper significance. Ganesha Chaturthi is about embracing new beginnings, overcoming hurdles, and coming together as a community. Lord Ganesha represents wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles—qualities that resonate in professional life as much as they do in spiritual practice.
Xperate's Ganesha idol
In the office, this translates to a renewed team spirit. We take a moment to reflect on past challenges, set intentions for future projects, and express gratitude for each other’s support. There’s a certain optimism in the air—a belief that, with collaboration and goodwill, we can tackle anything thrown our way.
The festival draws to a close on the 5th September and traditionally the Ganesha idol is immersed in water—a tradition symbolising the cycle of creation and dissolution, endings and beginnings. In case you were wondering, the idol is made of clay and dissolves.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your celebrations this year. Happy Ganesha Chaturthi to everyone—may the spirit of the elephant god help clear your path and fill your days with possibility, wherever you work in the world.
Xperate's Ganesha model celebrating the local forts in Pune
