Navaratri 2026: US, Canada leaders post greetings as festival begins
Synopsis
From Washington to Toronto, political leaders across the US and Canada took to X to mark Navaratri 2026 — a sign of the Hindu festival's rising profile in diaspora politics. US Ambassador Sergio Gor even toured Kolkata's Durga Puja pandals in person, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford and several MPs led a broad outreach to India-origin voters.
Key Takeaways
Navaratri 2026 began on 11 October and runs until Dussehra on 20 October .
US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and US Ambassador Sergio Gor both posted greetings on X; Gor visited Kolkata pandals on 12 October , drawing over 38,000 views .
Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted a video Navratri greeting on 11 October , leading a broad outreach by Canadian politicians.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown attended multiple Garba events, including the Eldorado Community Navratri celebration on 12 October .
The US is home to more than four million people of Indian origin; Canada's large South Asian community is concentrated in the Greater Toronto Area .
Political leaders across the United States and Canada have extended Navaratri greetings on social media platform X as the nine-night Hindu festival got underway, with celebrations running from 11 October to Dussehra on 20 October. The outreach reflects the growing political salience of the Indian diaspora in both countries — the US is home to more than four million people of Indian origin, while Canada's large South Asian community is heavily concentrated in the Greater Toronto Area.
American Leaders Join the Celebration
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat representing Illinois, posted his wishes on X. 'Wishing a joyous Navratri to everyone celebrating! May these nine nights bring strength, peace, and prosperity to you and your loved ones,' he wrote.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor marked the occasion by visiting pandals in Kolkata on 12 October, celebrating Bengal's observance of the festival as Durga Puja. 'Great to be back in Kolkata! Visited some beautiful pandals and experienced firsthand the incredible creativity, community spirit, and warmth. I can see why this celebration is so special. Happy Durga Puja to everyone celebrating!' Gor wrote. His post drew more than 38,000 views. At the local government level, Mercer County in New Jersey, from County Executive Dan Benson's office, also extended wishes to the Hindu community.
Ontario Premier, Federal MPs Lead Canada's Outreach
Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted a video message on 11 October, saying: 'I want to wish a Happy Navratri to everyone celebrating across our province! Over the next nine days, the Hindu community will come together in prayer and celebration, marking the triumph of good over evil.'
Federal Conservative MP Tim Uppal, representing Edmonton Gateway, extended wishes to 'Hindu communities in Edmonton and across Canada,' adding: 'May these nine nights be filled with faith, family, celebration and many blessings.' Ontario's Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Graham McGregor also wished 'Hindus across Ontario a very Happy Navaratri,' invoking the festival's theme of 'the eternal triumph of good over evil.'
Ontario legislators Monica Ciriello, Nina Tangri, and Rudy Cuzzetto added their greetings. Tangri, representing Mississauga-Streetsville, extended wishes to 'all in Mississauga-Streetsville and across Ontario,' while Cuzzetto, from Mississauga-Lakeshore, closed his message with 'Shubh Navaratri!'
Brampton Mayor Attends Garba Events
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, whose city hosts one of Canada's largest Indian-origin populations, has been attending community events throughout the festive season. 'It's been a weekend of Garbas!' he posted on 3 October, listing several Garba celebrations. On 12 October, he noted it was 'a pleasure to speak at the Eldorado Community Navratri and Garba Celebration' alongside a city councillor.
About Navaratri
Navaratri, which translates to 'nine nights,' is celebrated with fasting, prayer, and Garba and Dandiya dances honouring Goddess Durga. The festival culminates in Dussehra on 20 October, which marks the mythological victory of good over evil. This year's political participation from Western leaders underscores how diaspora communities have become an influential constituency on both sides of the Atlantic.
Point of View
These gestures are rarely purely ceremonial. What is notable this year is the participation at the municipal and county level, suggesting the festival's electoral weight is being felt well below the federal tier. The question mainstream coverage rarely asks: do these greetings translate into substantive policy engagement with diaspora concerns, or do they remain seasonal optics?
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Navaratri 2026 and when does it end?
Navaratri 2026 began on 11 October and concludes with Dussehra on 20 October. The nine-night festival honours Goddess Durga and is celebrated with fasting, prayer, and Garba and Dandiya dances.
Which US leaders wished Happy Navratri in 2026?
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois posted Navratri greetings on X, while US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata on 12 October and posted his wishes, drawing over 38,000 views. Mercer County in New Jersey also extended official wishes.
Which Canadian leaders greeted the Hindu community on Navaratri?
Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted a video message on 11 October, and federal Conservative MP Tim Uppal extended wishes to Hindu communities in Edmonton. Ontario's Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Graham McGregor and several Ontario legislators also posted greetings.
Why do US and Canadian leaders mark Navaratri?
The United States has more than four million people of Indian origin, and Canada's large South Asian community is heavily concentrated in Ontario's Greater Toronto Area — making the Hindu diaspora a significant constituency. Political outreach during major festivals like Navaratri reflects the growing electoral influence of these communities.
What is Durga Puja and how is it related to Navaratri?
Durga Puja is West Bengal's elaborate observance of Navaratri, marked by large public pandals featuring artistic installations and community gatherings. It falls within the same festival period and similarly honours Goddess Durga, though Bengal's traditions differ in scale and ritual from other regional celebrations.
