Durga Utsav is celebrated in the month of Sept/Oct all over the world. This is a four day Indian festival celebrated mainly by the Bengalis. The size and scale of the celebration depends on the size of the community. Here in Northern California, there used to be only one about 20 years back. As the community grew, the number of events also increased. Today there are about a dozen celebration. A very colorful event where everyone is traditionally attired to look their best. Visiting grandparents and relatives get a feel of the festivities at home during this time. You will find girls, irrespective of their age, donning new dresses every day. Wearing a new dress on every day of the event is the custom. Hardly applicable to the boys, but the girls do tend to follow it. You get to see a lot of cultural programs performed by local talents. The Durga Utsav provides a platform, where kids can perform and also get a good exposure to their culture.
A few non-profit organizations are celebrating this event in Fremont, California in the month of September and October.
Sanskriti
Event Date: Sept 28 2019 and Sept 29 2019
Web: https://www.sanskriti.org
Location: Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Ave, Newark, CA
Sanskriti always celebrates this event over the weekends. This event normally kicks off the festive season. This is one of the oldest and it is quite famous for its innovative decoration every year. This year it’s decoration is based on the architecture of Konarak Sun Temple (an ancient historical site in India). The event is also very popular because of it’s community cultural programs and the awesome stalls selling Indian handicrafts. They provide a good platform for the young kids to showcase their talents through the cultural program. I have always had a soft corner for this event. I have grown up performing in the cultural program for so many years. My mom has been an active volunteer in the decorations team from the very first year of this event. Lot of my childhood memories are wrapped around this event.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- The event site is very accessible with many ADA parking.
- There are some extra parking spots
- The auditorium where the cultural event is held is also very accessible and spacious.
- Special arrangements are available for the Seniors.
- Restroom (including accessible ones) is available inside the auditorium
Silicon Valley Sarbojonin Durgotsav
Event Date: Sept 28th 10 am – Sept 29th 9pm
Web: https://www.facebook.com/events/resham-event-center/silicon-valley-sarbojonin-durgotsav/1625631467564631/
Location:Resham Event Center, 3101 Walnut Ave, Fremont, CA
This is a new event celebrating only in its third year and adding to the number of event’s in Bay Area. The organizers are very welcoming and makes the participants feel cozy and comfortable.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- This event center is completely wheelchair accessible.
- It is very close to the Fremont Bart Station in case you are coming from city
- The stage for the performance is also accessible.
- The restroom is inside the auditorium
Festival of Globe – Bengal
Event Date: Oct 4th – Oct 8th
Web: https://www.facebook.com/FOGBengal/
Location: 3676 Delaware drive, Fremont, CA
FOG Event is relatively new. This event is done on a very small scale. However, it tends to attract a large crowd as the venue for the event is the Fremont Hindu Temple.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- Only three accessible Parking is available. You really need to be lucky to get one of them.
- The temple is small and is not quite capable of handling large crowd.
- Only a couple of ADA parking is available and most of the parkings are on the streets
- There is a restroom inside the campus
Bengal Club of Bay Area
Event Date: Oct 13 11am onwards
Web: https://www.bengal-club.com
Location: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas, CA
This event is celebrating its second year .The speciality of this event is that it is only for one day. A one day event of festivities, Cultural programs, sumptuous food and sweets.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- This site is fully accessible as it is inside the India community center.
- There are accessible parking in the center.
- Incase of parking shortage, you can also park in the available parking spots on the opposite side of the road.
- Restroom is available inside the Community Center.
