“Tag, you’re it!” screamed my friend, as we were playing tag. This is the time of Durga Puja, a yearly festival for the bengalis, where ladies looking prettier than ever, dads looking different and talking  about “dad stuff”, and kids playing a whole lot of games. If they are doing none of the above, then they are standing in line for the amazing street food from the food stalls. The cute little girls pleading to their parents to let them apply henna … and eventually the parents giving in.

Durga puja is celebrated in the month of Sept/Oct  by Bengalis all over the world. This is a four day festival. The size and scale of the celebration depends on the size of the community. Here in Northern California, as I heard from my parents, there used to be only one puja. As the community grew, the number of puja’s also increased. Today there are about a dozen pujas.  Grandparents and relatives visiting get a feel of home during this time. You will find girls, irrespective of their age, donning new dresses every day. I learned from my parents that wearing a new dress on every day of the puja 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 puja provides a platform, where kids can perform and get an exposure to their culture.

Northern California is celebrating the Durga Puja in the month of October.  I visited quite a few of them in the San Francisco Bay Area.  

Sanskriti

Sanskriti puja is always celebrated in the weekends. This puja normally kicks off the festive season. This is one of the oldest Puja and it is quite famous for its innovative decoration every year. This puja 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 always had a soft corner for this puja. I have grown up performing in the cultural program for so many years. My mom has been an active volunteer in the decorations committee from the very first year of this Puja. Lot of childhood memories are wrapped around this Puja.

This year there is a plan to have an Antakshari Competition.


The Puja site is very accessible and there are ample parkings. There are some extra parking spots beyond the Blue Badge Parking. The auditorium where the cultural event is held is also very accessible and spacious. The organizers take special care of the Seniors. This time the Bhog will be served for the Seniors.


Event Date: Oct 13, 2018 and Oct 14, 2018
Address:
Newark Pavilion
6430 Thornton Ave,
Newark, CA 94560

Pashchimi

This is the most popular Durga Puja. As a result, it gets very crowded. In fact, it gets so crowded that at times it becomes a safety issue. This puja follows the real Hindu Calendar and celebrates it on the actual days. Most vendors setup stalls here to take advantage of the large crowd. General parking is available but not very close to the site.


Do not forget to bring the blue placard. There is a security personnel who will let you park in the Blue reserved spot  if you show the Blue Badge. If you are in a wheelchair or any type of mobility device, then you will need to use the ramp available next to the reserved parking.


Event Date: Oct 14, 2018 to Oct 19, 2018
Address:
Unify Event Center
San Jose, CA

Prabasi

Prabasi is the oldest puja in the Bay Area. It is also celebrated in the weekends. SF Bay Area old timers always make it a point to visit this one.  They also host cultural programs with local and international talents. Here  you will find many stalls selling jewelry and ethnic dresses. There are many food stalls too.


Parking is far and difficult. Handicapped parking is available on Tully road entrance.But even that spot is not very close to the actual event. The other option is a harder option and is not a very definite option. While entering the fairground, there is a gate that is guarded by security personnel. If you can convince them to let you drive close to the actual event and park there. This works sometimes, but may not work too.


Event Date: Oct 19, 2018 to Oct 21, 2018
Address:
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
San Jose, CA

Silicon Valley Sarbojonin Durgotsav

This is a new Pujo celebrating only its second year and adding to the number of Pujo’s in Bay Area. A new pujo is always welcome in the Bay Area. More places to visit and show off your dresses. Bengalis love for food, art and music is most evident during Durga Puja. A cultural program is almost a must in every pujo. Make sure to fill out the participation form if you are interested in performing in the cultural program.The organizers are very welcoming and makes the participants feel cozy and comfortable.


This event center is completely wheelchair accessible. It’s close to the Fremont Bart Station in case you are coming from city and don’t want to spoil your decked up look.


Event Date: Oct 13, 2018 to Oct 14, 2018
Address:
Resham Event Center
3101 Walnut Ave
Fremont, California

Agomoni

Agomoni  is the Newest puja in the Area. It is also celebrated in the weekends. This is so new that there isn’t much to write about.


Accessible Parking is easy because the venue is a Senior Center. The entire venue is easily accessible.


Event Date: Oct 19, 2018 to Oct 21, 2018
Address:
Alcosta Senior and Community Center
San Ramon, CA

Women’s Now

Women’s Now puja is relatively new. It is celebrated on actual days. This puja has a modern flavor. They specialize in providing authentic Kolkata Backdrop for clicking pictures.


Accessible Parking is easy. A long ramp leads you to the venue. Do not try to access the venue from the back. Even though it looks easy, the ground is very uneven. They have fashion show in their cultural program offering.


Event Date: Oct 17, 2018 to Oct 20, 2018
Address:
Elks Lodge,
1680 Martin Avenue,
Santa Clara, CA

Festival of Globe(FOG)

FOG puja is relatively new. It is celebrated on actual days. This puja is done on a very small scale.


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 caplable to handle large crowd.


Event Date: Oct 13, 2018 to Oct 18, 2018
Address:
Fremont Hindu Temple
Fremont, CA

BayBasi


This Puja is not as old as Prabasi and Sanskriti but fairly old organization. The decoration is quite unique although does not change much over the years. The members are a tight knit community in the Peninsula region of the SF Bay Area. They also have a Dandiya night on one of the Puja days. The cultural programs are efforts mainly from the members of the community.


This event is held inside a school campus. As such the accessibility is not an issue.


Event Date: Oct 19, 2018 to Oct 21, 2018
Address:
Website: http://www.baybasi.org/
Brewer Island Elementary School
1151 Polynesia Dr, Foster City, CA 94404​

Bengal Club of Bay Area

This is a very new Puja. A new kid on the block. It is just a One day event.


This site is fully accessible


Event Date: Oct 14, 2018
Address:
India Community Center(ICC)
Milpitas, CA ​