Faith And Festivity Converge At Bay Area’s Huge Ganesh Festival

India-West Staff Reporter

SAN RAMON, CA — The chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” echoed through Bishop Ranch City Center on August 31, as organizers estimated more than 20,000 people came together for the Bay Area’s largest Ganesh Festival, transforming San Ramon into a hub of devotion and culture.

Hosted by Namaste Bay Area and Bolly 92.3FM, the inaugural festival was unlike anything the region has seen before. From morning until night, the plaza brimmed with color, music, and movement. The summer heat pushed past 100 degrees, but the energy never dipped as families, volunteers, and performers celebrated Lord Ganesha with equal parts tradition and community spirit.

The day began with rituals and aartis that set the tone for what followed: a grand procession featuring more than 100 dhol-tasha drummers, devotional dancers, and a crowd that stretched across the center. By evening, the farewell visarjan carried the same intensity, with percussionists and singers leading thousands in song and prayer.

Cultural programming remained constant throughout the day. More than 200 artists took the stage for classical dance, devotional music, and dramatic performances that reflected India’s rich heritage.

Families stopped at hourly aartis and bhajans, while others lingered in the bazaar where more than 100 vendors served Indian food, jewelry, clothing, and community services.

The festival also highlighted sustainability, with clay idols and eco-conscious décor reinforcing the message of mindful worship. Organizers said the focus was not only on devotion but also on passing on cultural values to future generations.

The scale of the event drew elected officials and community leaders from across the Bay Area. Among those in attendance were Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, San Ramon Mayor Mark Armstrong, Dublin Mayor Sherry Hu, Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano, San Ramon Vice Mayor Sridhar Verose, and SRVUSD Board Member Susanna Ordway. Their presence underscored the festival’s role as more than a religious occasion, but a gathering that reflects the diversity and unity of the Bay Area.

Organizers credited the City of San Ramon, Bishop Ranch, civic authorities, and hundreds of volunteers for making the event safe and seamless.

As the drums faded and the idols were immersed, what remained was the sense that the Ganesh Festival had become not just a religious milestone, but one of the largest multicultural celebrations the Bay Area has hosted, organizers said.