“Ganpati Bappa Morya – Bay Area’s Grand Ganesh Festival” drew an estimated 25,000-plus visitors and devotees to Bishop Ranch and City Center in San Ramon on Saturday, September 19.
According to a press release, the festival was held under the theme “EAST BAY KA RAJA” and featured a 12-foot Ganesha installation, darshan, devotional programs, cultural performances, food, shopping, children’s activities, and evening celebrations.
A Day of Darshan and Devotion
The festival opened with the Sacred Beginning and Ganesha Pratishthapana at 12:30 p.m. Darshan continued throughout the day, with a steady stream of families and visitors arriving to seek the blessings of East Bay Ka Raja.
Thousands took part in the festival’s devotional programs and Aartis, including the Dhoop Aarti, Special Flower Archana, and Sahasra Aarti.
The evening program included the Sahasra Aarti, followed by the Grand Dhol Tasha celebration, Pallaki Seva Procession, and traditional Ganesh Visarjan. Spartans Grand Dhol Tasha performed during the celebrations as thousands of devotees joined the procession.
Culture, Food, and Family Activities
Families spent the day at the festival also enjoying Indian food, shopping, cultural performances, children’s activities, arts and crafts, competitions, and entertainment.
The Kids Arts & Activity Zone remained active throughout the day, while the Kids Ganesha Art Competition drew strong participation from children and families.
The cultural stage featured classical dance, devotional music, Ganesh Vandana, Bhajans, Mangal Geet, and other dance performances, highlighting different aspects of Indian culture and tradition.
The festival grounds included decorated vendor booths, festive displays, and photo opportunities, creating a lively setting throughout the day.
At the marketplace, attendees discovered Indian food, products, services, and local businesses while taking part in the celebrations.
The festival was attended by dignitaries, community leaders, and other distinguished guests, reflecting the growing presence and civic visibility of the Indian American community in the Tri-Valley and greater San Francisco Bay Area.
They included San Ramon Vice Mayor Merisol Rubio, Dublin Mayor Sherry Hu, Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch, San Ramon Councilmembers Sridhar Verose and Richard Adler, Dublin Councilmember John Morada and Melissa Hernandez, President, BART Board of Directors.
Months of Planning and Community Support
The 2026 Bay Area Grand Ganesh Festival was organized through months of planning and the efforts of organizers, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, performers, community partners, public safety teams, and civic authorities.
“This was much more than an event. It was a collective expression of faith, culture, community and gratitude,” said the organizers in a press release statement. “Seeing thousands of devotees continuously waiting for Darshan, participating in every Aarti, celebrating with our children, supporting our vendors and then coming together for the Grand Dhol Tasha and Visarjan was an incredibly emotional and proud moment for everyone who worked on this festival. East Bay Ka Raja truly brought the community together.”
This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by an India Currents editor.
