Morrisville Cements Its Place as North Carolina's South Asian Hub: BAPS Diwali, Holi, and a 36 Percent Indian Population

Morrisville, North Carolina has emerged as one of the most vibrant centers of South Asian community life in the American South, with Indian and South and Southeast Asian residents now forming 36 percent of the town's 32,379 residents. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir at 1020 Aviation Parkway draws more than five thousand devotees for Diwali each year, and nearby Cary hosts what was described at its unveiling as the largest Hindu temple in North America. Together these institutions and a growing roster of South Asian businesses anchor a community that Morrisville's mayor calls inclusive and welcoming.

🤝 Morrisville's South Asian Population Reaches 36 Percent as Indian Residents Call NC Home

Morrisville, North Carolina has quietly become one of the fastest-growing and most diverse towns in the state, with South Asian residents at the center of that transformation. According to the town, its current population stands at 32,379, with people from India and other South and Southeast Asian countries forming the largest demographic group at 36 percent of residents. Asians as a whole now make up 46 percent of Morrisville's population, a dramatic increase from just 20 percent thirteen years ago. Nitin Patel, who owns Suvidha's International Market and originally came from India, told ABC11 that demand for South Asian grocery items is strong, with top sellers including rice and food grain items not readily available in American grocery stores. He has plans to expand by opening a second location in Apex. Town council member Satish Garimella attributed the growth partly to Morrisville's proximity to Research Triangle Park, noting that many Indian immigrants who came for education-based opportunities prefer to live close to family and work. The town responded to its growing population by building a cricket field in 2015. Mayor TJ Cawley described the town's approach plainly: 'We are inclusive and welcoming. That's been our main thing forever.' Patel echoed that sentiment, saying his family and business have adopted North Carolina as home and take pride in that choice. [6]

🪔 BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Prepares Five-Day Diwali Celebration with More Than 5,000 Expected

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Morrisville was already busy with preparations for its annual Diwali festival when ABC11 visited, with organizers expecting more than five thousand attendees following last year's strong turnout. Viren Patel walked reporters through the temple and shared the festival's guiding message: 'The slogan is where there's unity, there's light.' He noted that as the Hindu new year begins with Diwali, many community members seek blessings for their finances and personal lives, looking to start fresh: 'They want to go in with a lot of blessings and start fresh. Get a clean slate, so they come worship.' A children's Diwali event was held at the temple the day before the main celebration, designed to teach younger generations the significance of the holiday and connect them to their cultural roots. Foram Patel expressed hope that kids would understand the value of the community they have built, a place where people 'can come together and share moments of laughter, joy and even be there for each other in times of need.' Prachi Patel described the traditional three-piece outfit she wore for the occasion and emphasized the festival's inclusive spirit: 'This is a place where everyone can come and learn.' The temple, located at 1020 Aviation Parkway in Morrisville, draws devotees from across the Triangle region. The five-day festival dates are set by the Hindu lunar calendar, falling between the months of Asvina and Kartika. [1]

🪔 Largest Hindu Temple in North America Stands Near Morrisville, Its 87-Foot Tower Telling Stories of Indian Mythology

Cary, directly adjacent to Morrisville, became home to what was described at its unveiling as the largest Hindu temple in North America when the Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina completed its gateway tower. The tower stands 87 feet tall and was constructed with each element carefully designed to tell a story of Indian mythology. Crews broke ground on the project in 2020, and the unveiling took place on a Monday when the Indian community celebrates Diwali, giving the occasion additional symbolic resonance. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and House Speaker Tim Moore were both present for the ceremony. The temple is located at 121 Balaji Place, off Chapel Hill Road near Morrisville and Park West Village, making it a landmark that is woven into the geography of the wider Morrisville community. WRAL described the multi-million dollar development as a showcase of the growth of the Indian community in the Triangle area. One temple member told WRAL News that what began as a modest idea to expand the existing temple quickly grew into the ambitious project ultimately unveiled. The gateway tower's elaborate carvings depicting stories from Indian mythology stand as a visible expression of the community's cultural pride and its confidence in putting down permanent roots in North Carolina's Research Triangle region. [5]

🎉 Holi Festival Brings Color, Dhol Music, and Community to the Triangle's Growing Indian Population

Holi celebrations brought thousands of participants to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Raleigh for two days of festivities marking the Hindu festival of colors, with the growing Indian population of Research Triangle Park at the center of the celebrations. Kirtan Patel, who spent part of his childhood learning about his cultural heritage, described Holi as marking the turn of the calendar to spring, with people celebrating by spraying water on each other and playing with water balloons. 'Kids need to learn more about getting the inner even out and bringing the festivities and joy. That's what Holi resembles,' he said. Grocery stores like Suvidha Indo-Pak in Morrisville capitalized on the holiday tradition by selling edible colors applied to the face, as well as drinks and sweets popular during the festival. Astha Singh of the store told ABC11 that the Saturday and Sunday before Holi 'were too busy,' reflecting the scale of community demand. Patel shared the personal meaning the holiday holds for him: 'Just enjoying the stories of its origination and learning the importance of what it means to me.' ABC11 noted that the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh faiths all count Holi among their celebrations, making it an occasion that unites multiple communities within the broader South Asian population of the Triangle. In Morrisville, people from India and Southeast Asia remain the largest demographic, ensuring Holi continues to be observed on a significant scale each year. [7]

Sources: [6] ABC11 News · [1] ABC11 News · [5] WRAL · [7] ABC11 News