Desi Events Happening in Los Angeles This Month

TL;DR

• 🌸 Radhastami on September 18 at ISKCON Los Angeles is the headline Desi event this month
• Ekadashi on September 22 marks the start of an observance-rich final stretch of September
• Pradosh Vrat on September 24 and Purnima on September 26 follow in quick succession
• Sankashti Chaturthi on September 29 closes out September for Ganesha devotees
• October brings Ekadashi on October 6 and Pradosh Vrat on October 8 to keep the calendar full

September's Desi Calendar in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has one of the most diverse and active Desi communities in the United States, spread across neighborhoods from Artesia to Culver City to the San Fernando Valley. September 2026 brings a lineup of events and observances that give this sprawling community meaningful reasons to gather — from a major celebration at one of the city's most recognized Vaishnava institutions to a series of Panchang dates that many South Asian families observe across the month.

Here's everything on the Desi community's radar in Los Angeles this September, and a look at what's coming in the first week of October.

Radhastami at ISKCON Los Angeles: September 18

The month's most significant named event for the Desi community in Los Angeles is Radhastami, celebrated on September 18 at ISKCON Los Angeles. The temple — located at 3764 Watseka Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034 — is one of the oldest and most established ISKCON centers in North America, with decades of history in the city's Vaishnava devotional community.

Radhastami marks the appearance day of Srimati Radharani, who holds a central place in Vaishnava tradition as the embodiment of divine love and devotion to Krishna. The celebration at ISKCON Los Angeles typically includes elaborate temple decoration, kirtans, bhajans, special arati ceremonies, and a community feast open to all. The event draws both committed practitioners and members of the wider Desi community who come to experience the devotional atmosphere and participate in the celebration.

For Desi families in LA who observe Radhastami at home, September 18 is a day of fasting until noon or through the day, temple visits, and devotional singing. The ISKCON Los Angeles program is one of the most elaborately organized Radhastami observances in Southern California, and many in the Desi community consider it the go-to venue for this occasion. It is also accessible to families who may not be regular attendees — the celebration is open and welcoming.

Insider Tip: ISKCON Los Angeles's Radhastami draws large crowds, and the ceremony space fills up well before the main arati. Arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled program time for a good spot for darshan. The community feast that follows is open to all attendees and prasad distribution is first-come.

The Panchang Observances: Late September Through October 8

Following Radhastami, the Panchang calendar keeps the community spiritually engaged through the rest of September and into early October.

Ekadashi — September 22 Ekadashi is the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight, observed through fasting and devotion. The September 22 Ekadashi is the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi — the waxing-moon fortnight — which many Vaishnava communities associate with observances linked to Lord Vishnu. Temples across the Los Angeles Desi community often hold extended morning and evening programs on Ekadashi days, and attendance tends to be stronger than on a typical weekday.

Pradosh Vrat — September 24 Pradosh Vrat honors Lord Shiva and is observed on the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight, during the twilight hours. For the Shaiva-leaning families in LA's Desi community, Pradosh Vrat on September 24 is a meaningful evening for home puja, temple visits, and breaking the day's fast after prayers at dusk. The specific pradosh kaal window depends on local sunset time, so checking a Panchang app is advisable for the exact timing in Los Angeles.

Purnima — September 26 Full moon — Purnima — on September 26 is an occasion that crosses community lines. Satyanarayan Puja, community dinners, and extended temple programs are all common on Purnima evenings. In LA's Desi community, Purnima tends to draw increased attendance across a wide range of temples and cultural centers. Many Desi households in the city also use the occasion for informal gatherings with family and neighbors.

Sankashti Chaturthi — September 29 Sankashti Chaturthi, observed on the fourth day after the full moon, is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Given that the Ganesh Chaturthi season is still fresh in the community's memory in late September, Sankashti Chaturthi on September 29 carries added resonance for many families. Devotees fast until moonrise, perform Ganesha puja at home or at a temple, and break the fast once the moon has been sighted and prayers completed.

October Ekadashi — October 6 and Pradosh Vrat — October 8 The observance cycle continues into October, with Ekadashi on October 6 and Pradosh Vrat on October 8 marking the first week's spiritual highlights. These dates give the community a natural bridge as September's festival energy transitions into the quieter rhythm of early fall.

Staying Connected to LA's Desi Community

Los Angeles's Desi community is large enough that it can feel fragmented — different cultural organizations serve different linguistic and regional communities, and events are spread across a wide geographic area. But institutions like ISKCON Los Angeles serve as cross-community touchpoints that bring together South Asians from varied backgrounds around shared devotional observances like Radhastami.

Beyond Radhastami, ISKCON Los Angeles hosts programs throughout the year, and the Vaishnava calendar it follows gives Desi community members a reliable rhythm of events and observances to plan around. Other major Desi cultural organizations in Los Angeles — serving Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, and other communities — each have their own event calendars that complement the Panchang dates.

For those seeking to stay current on what's happening across the broader Desi community in LA, temple bulletins, community WhatsApp groups, and platforms like Desi.Net for Los Angeles are the most reliable sources as the fall season picks up.

FAQ

Where is Radhastami being celebrated in Los Angeles this year? Radhastami is at ISKCON Los Angeles, located at 3764 Watseka Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034, on September 18.

What is Radhastami? Radhastami marks the appearance day of Srimati Radharani in the Vaishnava tradition. It's observed through fasting, kirtan, special arati programs, and community feasting at temples like ISKCON Los Angeles.

When is Sankashti Chaturthi in September? Sankashti Chaturthi falls on September 29 this month.

Is Purnima an important date for the Desi community in LA? Yes — Purnima on September 26 is one of the more widely observed dates in the Hindu calendar, with temple attendance and community pujas common across the city.

What Desi observances are happening in early October? Ekadashi on October 6 and Pradosh Vrat on October 8 are the first significant Panchang dates in October.

Bottom Line

September is a strong month for Los Angeles's Desi community. Radhastami on September 18 at ISKCON Los Angeles is the marquee event, followed by Ekadashi, Pradosh Vrat, Purnima, and Sankashti Chaturthi through the rest of the month. October opens with Ekadashi and Pradosh Vrat observances in its first full week. Mark these dates, connect with your local temple or cultural organization, and stay plugged into what's happening in LA's vibrant and wide-ranging Desi community this fall.