BAPS Temple Expects Record Diwali Crowd as Morrisville's Indian Population Hits 36 Percent
Morrisville is at the center of North Carolina's Diwali celebrations, with the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir preparing to exceed last year's crowd of more than 5,000 and the nearby Sri Venkateswara Temple in Cary standing as the largest Hindu temple in North America. Indians and Southeast Asians now make up 36 percent of Morrisville's 32,379 residents, a rapid demographic shift that has made the town one of North Carolina's most diverse. Governor Roy Cooper officially proclaimed October 24 as Diwali, attending temple celebrations in both Morrisville and Cary to mark the community's growing civic presence.
🎉 BAPS Temple Prepares for Diwali Celebration Open to All
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir temple in Morrisville is preparing for its five-day Diwali celebration, with organizers expecting to surpass the more than 5,000 attendees who came last year as the local community has continued to grow. The temple is located at 1020 Aviation Pkwy in Morrisville. Viren Patel, who guided ABC11 News through the preparations, described the community's guiding slogan as 'where there's unity, there's light.' Many who attend are seeking financial blessings as the Hindu new year begins, with Patel explaining that people want a clean slate and a fresh start. A kids' Diwali event was held the day before the main celebration specifically to teach children the holiday's significance and reconnect them to their cultural heritage. Foram Patel said she wants children to understand the value of community and the ability to come together in both joy and times of need. On the main day of celebration, thousands will pass through the temple with long lines forming as worshippers pray and offer food as an act of devotion. Prachi Patel highlighted that Diwali is a bright festival featuring vibrant colors and traditional dress. The temple stresses that the celebration is not exclusive to the Hindu community: 'This is a place where everyone can come and learn.' Diwali originates from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning 'row of lights,' and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. [3]
🪔 North America's Largest Hindu Temple Unveiled Near Morrisville
The largest Hindu temple in North America has been unveiled in Cary, close to Morrisville, with crowds gathering to celebrate the completion of its gateway tower on Diwali. Governor Roy Cooper and House Speaker Tim Moore were both present for the unveiling ceremony. The gateway tower at the Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina stands at 87 feet. The temple is located at 121 Balaji Place, off Chapel Hill Road near Morrisville and Park West Village. Crews broke ground in 2020, carefully crafting each tower to depict stories from Indian mythology. The multi-million dollar development is seen as a showcase of the Indian community's growth in the Triangle region and is expected to serve the community for years to come. One member of the temple told WRAL News that the idea to expand started as just that but quickly grew into the significant project that was unveiled. The completed structure represents the deepening cultural and religious presence of the Indian community across North Carolina's Research Triangle area, reflecting decades of South Asian settlement and investment in the region. [4]
🗳️ Governor Cooper Proclaims October 24 as Diwali in North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper officially proclaimed October 24 as Diwali in North Carolina, providing formal state recognition of the Hindu festival. The governor marked the occasion by celebrating Diwali at temples in Morrisville and Cary, two Wake County towns with large South Asian populations. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists across the world. The proclamation reflects the growing political and civic importance of the South Asian community in the Research Triangle area, where Morrisville and Cary are located. The governor's attendance at temple celebrations in both communities underscored the role the Hindu festival now plays in the public life of North Carolina. The official proclamation was issued on October 24, 2022. The gesture highlights how the growing Indian and South Asian population in the Triangle region has increasingly shaped state civic affairs, with elected officials at the highest levels of state government recognizing and participating in key cultural and religious observances that the community holds central to its identity. [5]
🤝 Indian Population Reaches 36 Percent in Morrisville, Reshaping Town
Morrisville has seen significant growth in its Indian and South Asian population, with people from India and other Southeast Asian countries now making up 36 percent of the town's current population of 32,379. Asians overall account for 46 percent of Morrisville's population, up from just 20 percent 13 years ago, making the demographic shift one of the most dramatic in North Carolina. Nitin Patel, owner of Suvidha's International Market, says his top-selling items are rice and food grains not readily available in American grocery stores, and he and his wife plan to expand by opening another store in Apex. Town council member Satish Garimella noted that most Indians who move to the US are education-focused and want to be close to family and work, with Morrisville's location near the Research Triangle Park making it a natural draw. The town built a cricket field in 2015 to serve the community's interests. Mayor TJ Cawley described Morrisville as 'inclusive and welcoming,' and leaders call it one of the fastest growing and most diverse towns in North Carolina. Patel captured the feelings of many residents: 'We have adopted North Carolina as our home and we're very proud of that.' [6]
Sources: [3] ABC11 News · [4] WRAL · [5] NC Governor (.gov) · [6] ABC11 News