Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2025 Lights Up the Silicon Valley with Record-Breaking Celebration

Over 25,000 Celebrate Grand Dussehra & Diwali Festivities Hosted by the Association of Indo Americans (AIA)

The Bay Area came alive in a breathtaking fusion of light, culture, and community spirit as Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka (DDD) 2025 illuminated the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Organized by the Association of Indo Americans (AIA) & Bolly 92.3 FM, the celebration drew an extraordinary crowd of estimated over 25,000 attendees, making it one of the largest and most vibrant Diwali festivals in the nation.
P&G (Proctor & Gamble) served as the presenting sponsor.

From dawn to nightfall, the Fairgrounds pulsed with devotion, color, and festivity. The day began with the sacred Maha Mangal Aarti, invoking blessings of peace and prosperity, followed by the majestic “Durga ma” Rath Yatra (chariot procession), which filled the grounds with devotional chants, music, and a vivid parade of cultural pride. The Ram Leela, a captivating dramatization of the Ramayana, enthralled audiences.

A towering 40-foot effigy of Ravana, brilliantly constructed and artistically detailed, dominated the night sky. As thousands gathered in anticipation, the effigy was set aflame to thunderous applause, its reflection dancing across the grounds. The emotional energy of the Ravan Dahan seamlessly flowed into the festival’s grand finale — Fireworks.

The spectacular fireworks display was nothing short of mesmerizing. With Fireworks, the sky exploded with bright colorful sparks—illuminating the faces of thousands of families, children, and friends gathered in wonder. The grand finale lit up the night with cascading sparkles that symbolized the very essence of Diwali — the triumph of light over darkness.

Throughout the day, over 500 talented performers graced indoor and outdoor stages, presenting an incredible lineup of classical, folk, Bollywood, and fusion performances that celebrated India’s rich cultural tapestry. AIA Idol singing contest & Bolly Tambola were instant hits and crowd favorites. The festival grounds buzzed with energy as guests explored more than 135 vendor booths & 20+ food booths, offering mouthwatering Indian delicacies, festive sweets, traditional clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, Diwali décor, financial, tax & educational segments. The joyous crowd swayed into the night with Garba and Dandia, where thousands danced together beneath a canopy of festive lights, embodying the spirit of unity and joy that defines Diwali.

This year’s celebration carried historic importance as it followed California’s official recognition of Diwali as a state holiday beginning in 2026—a milestone moment for the Indian American community. The event was graced by an esteemed gathering of public officials and dignitaries, reflecting the growing cultural and civic impact of the Indian diaspora in California.

Distinguished Guests Included:

Hon. Rob Bonta, California State Attorney General
Hon. Dr. Srikar Reddy, Consul General of India, San Francisco
Hon. Rakesh Adlakha, Deputy Consul General of India, San Francisco
Hon. David Haubert, Alameda County Supervisor
Hon. Jack Balch, Mayor of Pleasanton
Hon. Raj Salwan, Mayor of Fremont
Hon. Sherry Hu, Mayor of Dublin
Hon. Mark Armstrong, Mayor of San Ramon
Hon. Carmen Montano, Mayor of Milpitas
Hon. Sridhar Verose, Vice Mayor of San Ramon
Hon. Jean Josey, Councilmember, Dublin
Hon. Evan Branning, Councilmember, Livermore
Hon. Rinu Nair, Board of Education, Fremont Unified School District
Ajay Bhutoria, Indo-American Political Leader
Lieutenant Michael Buckhout, Sheriff’s Office of Alameda County
Captain Kurt Schlehuber, Pleasanton Police Department

AIA team specially thanked all the sponsors Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, Sanjiv Gupta CPA (Fireworks sponsor), Dr Prakash & Rohit Advani (Ravan Dahan), Realtor Lavanya Duvvi, Travelopod, Realtor Nagaraj Annaiah.Other sponsors include Helper Genie, Earth Cleanse, Vachi Silks, Insta service, Azad Financials, My Pursu, ICICI bank, KeyStone Utsav, Tanishq Jewelers, Deekhsa, SriShiva Sai grocery & Coral Academy.

AIA extended heartfelt gratitude to all the performers, vendors, and over 150 volunteers whose dedication made this massive celebration possible.
As fireworks shimmered over the Bay Area sky, Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2025 stood as a shining reminder of tradition, togetherness, and the growing cultural resonance of the Indian American community — a celebration that truly lit up California like never before.

Click here for Photogallery