25,000+ Devotees to a spectacular Bay Area grand Ganesh Festival in San Ramon

A day of devotion, culture, community, food, shopping and unforgettable celebrations brings thousands together at Bishop Ranch’s City Center

What began as a vision to bring a grand, deeply devotional Ganesh celebration to the East Bay became an extraordinary community experience on Saturday, September 19, as “Ganpati Bappa Morya – Bay Area’s Grand Ganesh Festival” welcomed an estimated 25,000+ visitors and devotees to Bishop Ranch / City Center in San Ramon.

Under the theme “EAST BAY KA RAJA,” the festival transformed the event grounds in San Ramon into a spectacular celebration of faith, culture and community. From the majestic 12-foot Ganesha installation and beautifully decorated festival grounds to the packed Darshan lines, vibrant cultural stage, decorated vendor booths, photo opportunities, food and shopping areas, and grand evening celebrations, every aspect of the festival came together to create an experience that exceeded expectations.

A Day of Uninterrupted Darshan and Devotion

The festival began with the Sacred Beginning and Ganesha Pratishthapana at 12:30 PM, but the devotion never stopped throughout the day.

From the opening of Darshan until the festival concluded, the line of devotees continued steadily, with families and visitors arriving throughout the day to seek the blessings of East Bay Ka Raja.

Thousands participated in the festival’s multiple devotional programs and Aartis, creating an atmosphere of collective prayer and celebration. The Dhoop Aarti, Special Flower Archana and Sahasra Aarti became powerful moments of community devotion, with thousands joining together to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha.

The evening reached a spectacular crescendo with the Sahasra Aarti and Grand Dhol Tasha celebration, followed by the Pallaki Seva Procession and the traditional Ganesh Visarjan.

The thunderous performance by Spartans Grand Dhol Tasha and the energy of thousands of devotees participating in the procession created a powerful and unforgettable finale to the festival.

A Festival That Brought the Entire Community Together

The celebration extended far beyond the spiritual experience.

Families enjoyed a full day of 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 received an enthusiastic response from young participants and families.

The cultural stage showcased Indian traditions through classical dance, devotional music, Ganesh Vandana, Bhajans, Mangal Geet and vibrant dance performances, giving audiences an opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of Indian culture.

The festival grounds themselves became part of the celebration, featuring beautifully decorated vendor booths, festive décor, photo opportunities, a vibrant stage setup and an environment filled with color, music and energy.

Strong Response for Vendors and Local Businesses

The festival also generated strong engagement for participating vendors.

With thousands of visitors moving through the festival throughout the day, food, shopping and community vendors experienced strong business and customer engagement. The festival marketplace became an integral part of the overall experience, allowing attendees to discover Indian food, products, services and businesses while enjoying the celebrations.

The combination of devotion, food, shopping, entertainment and family activities created a true festival atmosphere that kept the grounds vibrant throughout the day.

Grand Sponsor: Sanjiv Gupta, CPA
Power by: Nagaraj Annaiah, Realtor
Prasad Sponsor: Vijetha Indian Super Market

Platinum Sponsors:

• Lavanya Duvvi, Realtor

• xpat.money

• Discover San Ramon

Silver Sponsors:

• mypursu

• InstaService

• Shastha Fresh

• Apex Consulting

• Vachi Silks

• Deekhsa

• Kavya Foods

Food Sponsors:

• Sri’s Kitchen

• RAJARANI Bakery and Restaurant

• Kancha ko Bhancha

• Kabobs 2 Go

Dignitaries and Community Leaders Join the Celebration

The festival was also honored by the presence of dignitaries, community leaders and distinguished guests, reflecting the growing importance of the Ganesh celebration and the Indian-American community in the Tri-Valley and greater Bay Area.

The following elected officials from different cities have graced the gathering.

1) Merisol Rubio, Vice Mayor, San Ramon
2) Melissa Hernandez, President of BART Board of Directors
3) Sherry Hu, Mayor, Dublin
4) Jack Balch, Mayor, Pleasanton
5) Sridhar Verose, Councilmember, San Ramon
6) Richard Adler,  Councilmember, San Ramon
7) John Morada, Councilmember, Dublin

Their participation added to an already memorable day and highlighted the spirit of collaboration between community organizations, businesses, civic leaders, sponsors and residents.

A Celebration Delivered Through Community Collaboration

The success of the 2026 Bay Area Grand Ganesh Festival was the result of months of planning and the extraordinary commitment of organizers, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, performers, community partners, public safety teams, civic authorities and countless supporters.

The event delivered across every major element envisioned for the celebration — from the grandeur of East Bay Ka Raja and the festival décor to the smallest operational details that helped families enjoy a safe, welcoming and memorable experience.

The organizers expressed their heartfelt appreciation to Bishop Ranch / City Center, the City of San Ramon, sponsors, community organizations, media partners, vendors, performers, volunteers, public safety and civic partners, and most importantly, the thousands of families and devotees who came together to celebrate Lord Ganesha.

“This was much more than an event. It was a collective expression of faith, culture, community and gratitude. 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.”