The Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival — Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Alameda County fairground — included dancing, fireworks, vendors, food, games and the ceremonial burning of a 40-foot effigy of Ravana, a villain in Hindu mythology. The organization’s website claims that it is the largest Indian celebration in North America.
California has the largest Indian American population among the states, at nearly 900,000. This year’s Diwali starts on Oct. 20, the 15th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar.
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Devotees send devotional prayers during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Ramleela performer Jaya Sharma holds a pose while fellow dancers traverse the stage take during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Devotees send devotional prayers during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Festival attendees make their way through the various food and vendor booths during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Small snacks are passed during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Festival attendees make their way through the various food and vendor booths during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Ramleela performers prepare to take the stage during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Festival attendees celebrate after the Rath Yatra chariot procession at the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Nimal Nadesan of Raja Rani Bakery in Sunnyvale prepares Dosa during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Attendees march alongside the Rath Yatra chariot procession at the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
An effigy of the Raavan Dahan is set aflame symbolizing light conquering darkness during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Fireworks light the night sky after an effigy of the Raavan Dahan was set aflame symbolizing light conquering darkness during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
An effigy of the Raavan Dahan is set aflame symbolizing light conquering darkness during the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka festival hosted by Association of Indo Americans at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The celebration was one of the largest in Northern California with an expected 20,000 people in attendance. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
