Saikat: Bengali Community Pillar in San Diego
Saikat is the leading Bengali Association of San Diego, California, founded in 1987 as a nonprofit 
organization with a mission to preserve and promote Bengali culture and traditions among the region’s growing diaspora. Every year, Saikat hosts one of Southern California’s most vibrant Durga Puja festivals, transforming San Diego into a lively cultural hotspot for Bengali families, students, and festival-seekers from across the West Coast.
Event schedules, registration information, and updates are regularly featured on https://www.pujo2pujo.com/.
2025 Durga Puja Celebrations: Dates and Venue
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Dates: October 4 and 5, 2025
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Venue: San Pasqual High School, San Diego, CA (recent events have been held in local schools and auditoriums for accessibility and capacity)
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Contact: ec@saikat.org
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Features: Two days of full-scale puja rituals, elaborate cultural programs, community feasts, and family-friendly activities.
Traditional Rituals and Community Offerings
Saikat’s Durgotsav follows authentic Bengali traditions, including:
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Bodhon and idol installation on Sashthi/Saptami
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Daily anjali, pushpanjali, and arati
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Sandhi Puja staged with dhak beats and recitations
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Sindoor Khela and Visarjan on Dashami
The puja is conducted by invited priests, and all rituals are performed with fidelity to Bengal’s customs. Special importance is given to community participation, from organizing bhog and prasad distribution to volunteering for decoration and management.
Cultural Programs and Philanthropy
Saikat’s Durga Puja is renowned for its eclectic lineup of stage performances and activities:
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Classical and Bollywood dance showcases
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Drama productions and Bengali plays
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Instrumental music and Rabindra Sangeet concerts
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Special performances for children and youth
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Celebrity guest artists: Past years have featured top singers, live bands, and youth talent shows.
The annual event also launches Saikat’s community magazine, filled with writings and artwork from local members. Philanthropy is central—charity drives and volunteer programs help serve the wider San Diego area.
Community Connection and Volunteerism
Many aspects of Saikat’s Durga Puja run on volunteer energy:
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Event setup and decoration
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Food preparation and serving
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Sound and light management during stage shows
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Children’s workshops and activity planning
Saikat provides a platform for families and newcomers to connect, maintain Bengali heritage, and foster new friendships in America’s southern California melting pot.
Why Saikat Durga Puja is Special in California
As one of the best organized Bengali Durgotsavs on the West Coast, Saikat’s celebrations bring together tradition, joy, and multicultural engagement. It is a “home away from home” for the diaspora—every year growing in scale, depth, and excitement.
For registration, program highlights, travel tips, and deeper insights, rely on https://www.pujo2pujo.com/, which curates America’s Bengali festival experience.
