Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration – Northern California Chapter

The Northern California Bay Area Chapter joyfully celebrated Ganesha Chaturthi on Saturday, September 6th at the Sanatana Dharma Kendra Temple. The event was thoughtfully organized by the “Navodaya” group. As one of our chapter’s largest and most anticipated festivals, Chouti Habba once again drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 300 attendees.

The pooja was gracefully performed by Smt. Usha and Sri Murthy Hebbar, under the guidance of Pandit Kumar Joshi avaru. Following the rituals, the gathering witnessed a special moment — the release of two spiritual books, “Stotra Sanatana” and “Sookta Sanatana.” The books were unveiled by visiting parents Smt. Lalitha and Sri Venkataramana Bhat from Bettakoppa, Sirsi, along with Sri Krishna Upadhyaya.

A highlight of the celebration was the homemade Havyaka-style feast, lovingly prepared by community members — delicious as always and enjoyed by all.

The evening also came alive with a colorful array of cultural performances, featuring Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, semi-classical dances, vocal recitals, and violin solos. Each performance reflected the remarkable talent within our community and added a festive charm to the occasion.

Overall, it was a memorable celebration of devotion, culture, and togetherness, leaving everyone with cherished moments.

Here are some highlights from our celebration.