Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka Draws Over 25,000 To California’s Bay Area

India-West News Desk

PLEASANTON, CA – The Association of Indo Americans (AIA), in partnership with Bolly 92.3 FM, hosted Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2026 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds here, drawing an estimated 25,000 attendees.

The event featured religious ceremonies, cultural performances, vendor booths and traditional activities, concluding with the burning of a 40-foot effigy of Ravana and a fireworks display.

Festivities began with the Maha Mangal Aarti, followed by a Durga Ma Rath Yatra, or chariot procession. The program also featured a Ram Leela dramatization of the Ramayana.

More than 500 performers took part in programs on indoor and outdoor stages, presenting classical, folk, Bollywood and fusion performances. The AIA Idol singing competition was also among the attractions.

The fairgrounds hosted more than 135 vendor booths and 25 food booths offering Indian cuisine, festive sweets, clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, Diwali decorations and information on financial, tax and educational services.

Other activities included Garba and Dandia, Sindhoor Kela, Dhunuchi Naach, Hanuman Chalisa chanting, the Maha Khoj treasure hunt, carnival rides and a chess competition.

Among those attending were Consul General Satish Sivan; San Ramon Mayor Mark Armstrong; Dublin Mayor Sherry Hu; Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch; Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan; San Ramon City Councilmember Sridhar Verose; BART Board President Melissa Hernandez; and Pleasanton City Councilmember Julie Testa. San Ramon Vice Mayor Marisol and a representative of California Assemblymember Ortega were also among the attendees.