Indian diaspora celebrates Dandiya and Garba Night in Dhaka amid festive season
Synopsis
India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh joined a Dandiya and Garba Night in Dhaka organised by the Indian diaspora — one of several cultural events the Indian mission has attended during the Hindu festive season, from Durga Puja pandals to Ramakrishna Mission aartis, signalling a deliberate diplomatic use of cultural soft power.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Association of Bangladesh (IABD) organised a Dandiya and Garba Night in Dhaka on 24 October 2026 .
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi attended the event alongside members of the Indian community in Bangladesh.
On 20 October , Trivedi visited the Durga Puja Pandal at Uttara Sarbojanin Temple on the occasion of Maha Navami .
Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe witnessed the Dhanuchi Dance and Aarti Competition at Dhakeshwari Temple on Maha Navami.
The High Commission also attended an evening Puja at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka on Ashtami .
High Commissioner Trivedi joined Durga Puja celebrations at the Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation , University of Dhaka , and Baridhara DOHS Convention Centre .
The Indian Association of Bangladesh (IABD) organised a vibrant Dandiya and Garba Night in Dhaka on 24 October 2026, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora in Bangladesh to celebrate India's festive and cultural traditions. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi attended the event, which featured colourful performances by the Indian community.
The Dandiya and Garba Night
'The evening featured colourful performances by members of the Indian community, celebrating India's rich cultural heritage and festive traditions,' the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh said in a post on X. The IABD, which represents Indian passport holders and diaspora members living in or visiting Bangladesh, works closely with the High Commission to support welfare initiatives and host such cultural gatherings.
A Festive Season of Cultural Events in Dhaka
The Dandiya and Garba Night is the latest in a series of cultural and religious events organised in Dhaka during the ongoing Hindu festive season. Earlier, on 20 October, on the occasion of Maha Navami, High Commissioner Trivedi visited the Durga Puja Pandal at Uttara Sarbojanin Temple in Dhaka and offered prayers. 'High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi visited the Durga Puja Pandal at Uttara Sarbojanin Temple, sharing in the festive spirit and sacred celebrations of Durga Puja,' the Indian mission noted.
Deputy High Commissioner's Visits and the Dhakeshwari Temple
Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe visited the Dhakeshwari Temple on the occasion of Maha Navami, where he witnessed an Aarti Competition featuring the Dhanuchi Dance performed by people of various age groups to the beats of the dhak. The Indian High Commission described the performance as 'mesmerising,' reflecting the depth of cultural participation from both the Indian community and local devotees.
Ashtami and Durga Puja Celebrations Across the City
The Indian High Commission also attended an evening Puja at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka on the occasion of Ashtami, celebrating 'the spirit of devotion, faith and harmony,' according to the mission. High Commissioner Trivedi additionally joined Durga Puja celebrations organised by the Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation, the University of Dhaka, and the Baridhara DOHS Convention Centre, extending his best wishes to devotees at each venue.
Significance of Indian Diplomatic Participation
This comes amid a broader effort by the Indian High Commission to engage with the Indian diaspora and highlight cultural ties between India and Bangladesh. The IABD's active calendar during the festive season underscores the community's role as a soft-power bridge between the two neighbours. The series of events reflects the importance of people-to-people connections even as diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh navigate a period of transition.
Point of View
Cultural diplomacy is being deployed as a stabilising instrument. The Indian diaspora's festive calendar becomes, in this context, a low-key but consistent assertion of community presence and bilateral warmth. What is worth watching is whether this visible diplomatic engagement translates into substantive outcomes on the harder bilateral issues that remain unresolved.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Indian Association of Bangladesh (IABD)?
The Indian Association of Bangladesh (IABD) is a community organisation representing Indian passport holders and the Indian diaspora living in or visiting Bangladesh. It works closely with the High Commission of India in Dhaka to support welfare initiatives and organise cultural festivals.
Who attended the Dandiya and Garba Night in Dhaka?
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi attended the Dandiya and Garba Night organised by the IABD in Dhaka on 24 October 2026. The evening featured performances by members of the Indian community celebrating India's cultural heritage.
What other festive events did the Indian High Commission attend in Dhaka?
The Indian High Commission attended Durga Puja celebrations at multiple venues, including Uttara Sarbojanin Temple on Maha Navami, an evening Puja at Ramakrishna Mission on Ashtami, and events at the Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation, University of Dhaka, and Baridhara DOHS Convention Centre.
What happened at Dhakeshwari Temple during Maha Navami?
Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe visited Dhakeshwari Temple on Maha Navami, where he witnessed an Aarti Competition featuring the Dhanuchi Dance performed by participants of various age groups to the beats of the dhak.
Why is the Indian High Commission's participation in these events significant?
The High Commission's active participation across multiple festive events reflects a broader cultural diplomacy effort to strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Bangladesh. It comes at a time when bilateral relations are navigating a period of transition, making such community engagement particularly notable.
