Morrisville's Indian Community Fills Temples for Diwali and Holi as South Asian Population Reaches 36 Percent
Morrisville, North Carolina has become one of the most significant South Asian communities in the American Southeast, with people from India and other South Asian countries now comprising 36 percent of the town's 32,379 residents. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir on Aviation Pkwy draws thousands for Diwali each October, while the nearby Sri Venkateswara Temple in Cary — the largest Hindu temple in North America — anchors the region's Hindu identity. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper underscored the community's civic standing by personally visiting temples in Morrisville and Cary on Diwali and officially proclaiming the holiday statewide.
🤝 Morrisville's Indian Population Reaches 36 Percent
According to the town of Morrisville, the current population stands at 32,379, and people from India and other Southeast Asian countries are the largest demographic, making up 36 percent of residents. Asians overall now represent 46 percent of the town, up from just 20 percent 13 years ago. Town council member Satish Garimella credits the growth to Morrisville's proximity to Research Triangle Park, noting that most people who come from India are education-focused and prefer to be close to family and work. Mayor TJ Cawley describes Morrisville as inclusive and welcoming, calling it the defining characteristic of the town. In 2015, the town built a cricket field to serve its growing South Asian community. Business has mirrored the demographic shift: Nitin Patel, originally from India, runs Suvidha's International Market, where rice and food grains are top sellers because they are not readily available in mainstream American grocery stores. The Indian population needs the diet they have been eating for years and years and it is hard to change, Patel said. He and his wife plan to open a second location in Apex to meet growing demand. We have adopted North Carolina as our home and we're very proud of that, he added. [7]
🎉 BAPS Temple Prepares for Five-Day Diwali Festival of Lights
Diwali preparations were underway inside the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Morrisville at 1020 Aviation Pkwy, with organizers expecting even more than the 5,000 attendees who came the previous year as the community has grown. The five-day festival dates are set by the Hindu lunar calendar and fall between the Hindu months of Asvina and Kartika. Community member Viren Patel walked reporters through the temple and explained that many in the community come to seek blessings for their finances as the Hindu new year begins. They want to go in with a lot of blessings and start fresh, get a clean slate, he said. The temple held a children's Diwali event the day before the main celebration, aimed at teaching young people the holiday's significance and connecting them to their culture. Foram Patel expressed her hope that children grow up understanding the value of community, saying she would love for kids to understand the value of coming together and being there for each other in times of need. Prachi Patel showcased traditional attire — a three-piece set with a shirt and scarf — and emphasized the event's inclusivity: this is a place where everyone can come and learn, she said. Diwali, derived from the Sanskrit word dipavali, means row of lights and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. [1]
🎉 Holi Festival of Colors Draws Thousands to Morrisville Temple
The two-day Hindu festival of colors, Holi, was celebrated by thousands at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Raleigh in Morrisville. Kirtan Patel, who spent time as a child learning about his culture, 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. Patel said the festival helps children connect with tradition: kids need to learn more about getting the inner even out and bringing the festivities and joy. The holiday also drove strong commercial activity across Morrisville. Grocery stores like Suvidha Indo-Pak had unusually busy weekends in the lead-up to Holi, with shopper Astha Singh noting that Saturday and Sunday were too busy. Popular items included edible colors applied to the face, along with drinks and sweets traditional to the celebration. The Research Triangle Park area's growing Indian population means major South Asian holidays like Holi increasingly generate significant foot traffic for local businesses catering to the community. Patel added that reflecting on the holiday's origins is central to its meaning: just enjoying the stories of its origination and learning the importance of what it means to me. [8]
🪔 Sri Venkateswara Temple in Cary Unveils Largest Hindu Temple in North America
Near Morrisville, the Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina in Cary unveiled what was described as the largest Hindu temple in North America, featuring a gateway tower standing 87 feet tall. The temple is located at 121 Balaji Place, off Chapel Hill Road near Park West Village. Crews broke ground in 2020 and carefully crafted each tower to tell a story of Indian mythology. The unveiling drew a large crowd on the day coinciding with Diwali, a historic occasion that also brought North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and House Speaker Tim Moore to the ceremony. The multi-million dollar development was described as a symbol of the Indian community's growth in the Triangle region for years to come. One temple member told WRAL that what began as a simple idea to expand quickly grew into something far larger and more ambitious than originally envisioned. The gateway tower's craftsmanship represents years of community investment and religious devotion. For South Asian families in the greater Morrisville and Cary area, the Sri Venkateswara Temple stands as both a place of worship and a landmark affirming the community's enduring roots in North Carolina. [5]
🗳️ Governor Cooper Proclaims October 24 as Diwali Across North Carolina
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper officially proclaimed October 24 as Diwali, recognizing the Festival of Lights as a celebration observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world. The Governor personally attended Diwali celebrations at temples in both Morrisville and Cary, visiting two of the most prominent South Asian religious institutions in the Research Triangle region. The official proclamation, released through the Governor's office, acknowledged the holiday's cultural and spiritual significance to the South Asian diaspora in North Carolina. Morrisville and the surrounding Triangle area have become home to one of the largest Indian American communities in the Southeast United States, making Diwali celebrations occasions of statewide importance. The Governor's visit and formal proclamation reflected the growing civic and political recognition of South Asian communities within the state's public life. For the tens of thousands of families celebrating Diwali across Morrisville, Cary, and the broader Research Triangle, the proclamation served as formal acknowledgment from the state's highest office that their festival holds a meaningful place in North Carolina's shared civic life. [6]
🗳️ Morrisville Police Among Agencies Issuing Diwali Fireworks Safety Warnings
As Indian and South Asian communities across the United States celebrated Diwali with fireworks, a number of local law enforcement agencies issued public safety warnings. The Morrisville Police Department was among those cited, with officials posting reminders about local regulations governing fireworks use during the holiday. The American Bazaar reported on the spread of such police advisories across many American cities with large South Asian populations. Despite the celebratory spirit behind Diwali fireworks, authorities in cities including Morrisville issued proactive public safety notices to help the community celebrate responsibly and within local ordinances. The intersection of cultural tradition and municipal regulations has become a recurring topic as Diwali grows in prominence in towns with significant South Asian presence. Community organizers and temple leaders have generally worked with local authorities to help families celebrate safely. The advisories from Morrisville and other departments reflected both the scale of Diwali observance in these communities and the growing need for local governments to engage constructively with South Asian residents around the holiday, balancing safety requirements with respectful recognition of cultural and religious celebration. [3]
Sources: [7] ABC11 News · [1] ABC11 News · [8] ABC11 News · [5] WRAL · [6] NC Governor (.gov) · [3] The American Bazaar