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Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Pageant of Lights: Tens of thousand have fun Diwali at Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton


PLEASANTON, Calif. (KGO) — Saturday evening’s fireworks over the Alameda County Fairgrounds have been in celebration Diwali — the Pageant of Lights.

“I like this celebration, as a result of I’ve a number of recollections from India going to those sorts of occasions,” stated Neha Agarwal, a Union Metropolis resident. “I’ve two children. I like to convey them right here in order that they’ll be taught.”

Agarwal and her household have been among the many 25,000 plus attendees who got here to Pleasanton from throughout the Bay Space to participate within the festivities, which was organized by the Affiliation of Indo People (AIA) with the assistance of greater than 150 devoted volunteers.

From the music to meals to style, Sachin Syal stated this Diwali celebration was a good way to be taught extra concerning the native South Asian neighborhood.

MORE: California makes Diwali an official statewide vacation

“As a child rising up, I all the time knew about all the opposite traditions. There was Christmas and Halloween. And now that we’ve this, we are able to study different cultures,” Syal stated.

In keeping with Hindu custom, Diwali commemorates the return of the Hindu god, Ram, from exile. It’s a celebration of sunshine over darkness, data over ignorance. Different religions in India additionally have fun completely different variations of Diwali.

In attendance was California Lawyer Normal Rob Bonta. He says Diwali’s message resonates within the present political local weather.

“Good over evil, proper over flawed, and data over ignorance. These are essential proper now. At a time once we are seeing from the federal authorities — a number of challenges — assaults on our immigrant communities, on range, fairness and inclusion,” Bonta stated.

“After I was rising up, there have been only a few (Diwali) festivals. It was all particular person households,” stated Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, who grew up within the East Bay and is of Indian descent.

MORE: What to find out about 5-day competition of lights celebrated in India, the US and worldwide

Salwan stated the expansion of Diwali corresponds to progress of the South Asian diaspora.

“It legitimizes the South Asian neighborhood as a strong neighborhood in our space. They’ve a lot to contribute. They need to give again,” Salwan stated.

And starting subsequent yr, Diwali turns into an official state vacation.

“Indians are one of many majority populations now in California. So it provides you that recognition. So yeah, it is essential,” stated Deepika Bajpi, who lives in Hayward.

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