Spectacular Bay Area Diwali: 25,000 People, 40 Foot Tall Ravan Effigy, 500 Performers

India-West Staff Reporter

PLEASANTON, CA — The Bay Area shimmered with light, devotion, and cultural pride as Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2025 transformed the Alameda County Fairgrounds into a dazzling celebration of Indian heritage on October 11. Drawing an estimated crowd of more than 25,000 people, the event—organized by the Association of Indo Americans (AIA) and Bolly 92.3 FM—stood out as one of the largest and most vibrant Diwali festivities in the nation.

From sunrise to nightfall, the Fairgrounds radiated with music, color, and festive cheer. The day opened with the sacred Maha Mangal Aarti, invoking blessings of peace and prosperity, followed by the grand ‘Durga Ma’ Rath Yatra—a lively chariot procession marked by devotional singing, rhythmic drumming, and jubilant community participation. The cultural program’s highlight, a captivating performance of the Ram Leela, brought the timeless epic of the Ramayana to life through dramatic storytelling, dance, and dazzling stage effects.

As dusk settled, excitement built around the towering 40-foot effigy of Ravana that dominated the grounds. Crafted with striking detail, the effigy was set ablaze to roaring applause from the crowd.

The dramatic Ravan Dahan, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, seamlessly transitioned into a breathtaking fireworks show that illuminated the Pleasanton sky. Bursts of color and cascading sparkles painted the night in true Diwali spirit—the triumph of light over darkness.

Throughout the day, more than 500 artists showcased India’s cultural diversity through classical, folk, Bollywood, and fusion performances on multiple stages. The AIA Idol singing contest and Bolly Tambola added to the festive excitement, drawing enthusiastic participation from all ages.

Visitors explored over 135 vendor booths and 20 food stalls featuring traditional Indian delicacies, sweets, jewelry, clothing, handicrafts, Diwali décor, and community service offerings. As evening deepened, the rhythmic beats of Garba and Dandia brought thousands together under a canopy of glowing lights, uniting the crowd in a shared celebration of joy and togetherness.

This year’s Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka carried added significance, coming in the wake of Governor Gavin Newsom signing into law California’s historic decision to recognize Diwali as an official state holiday beginning in 2026.

The celebration was graced by several distinguished guests, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Dr. Srikar Reddy, Consul General of India in San Francisco; Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert; and mayors Jack Balch of Pleasanton, Raj Salwan of Fremont, Sherry Hu of Dublin, Mark Armstrong of San Ramon, and Carmen Montano of Milpitas. Also in attendance were Fremont Unified School District Board of Education member Rinu Nair and political leader Ajay Bhutoria, among others.

P&G (Procter & Gamble) served as the presenting sponsor.