Indian Community Life in Redmond: Mandir and Holi 2026
Redmond's Indian and South Asian community marked the early months of 2026 through two distinct but complementary expressions of faith and festivity. At the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on NE 95th Street, women gathered in late March to honor the birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ram, while the mandir's spring examination cycle concluded with results for both youth and adult participants. Across town, Redmond City Hall served as the backdrop for one of western Washington's first major Holi celebrations, where hundreds clad in white gathered to mark the festival of colors with music, dance, food, and a burst of spring color.
BAPS Mandir Celebrates Festivals and Exam Season
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Redmond hosted several meaningful gatherings for the Indian community in early 2026. Women of the congregation came together on March 28 to celebrate Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti and Ram Navami in a joint observance. The program honored the birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ram through devotional music, cultural performances, and expressions of community unity.
The celebration reflected the deep spiritual traditions that the Redmond mandir has cultivated among its members. Women played a central role in organizing and leading the program, which drew participants from across the region to the mandir at 15440 NE 95th Street.
In May 2026, the mandir also announced results for its Satsang and Bal Satsang examinations held in March. These periodic scripture and spiritual knowledge exams are a core part of the BAPS educational framework, encouraging both youth and adults to deepen their understanding of Swaminarayan teachings. The announcement of results is a milestone moment for participating students and their families, recognizing months of dedicated study and commitment to the tradition. The exams serve as a way for the community to stay connected to foundational texts while building knowledge across generations. [1]
Holi Colors Fill Redmond City Hall Plaza
The Hindu festival of Holi brought together South Asian families and community members from across western Washington at Redmond City Hall on March 8, 2026. Organized in partnership with the City of Redmond, the Festival of Color was one of the first major Holi celebrations of the season in the region.
The free event ran from noon to 5 p.m. and drew participants dressed in white who enthusiastically threw colored powders, filling the plaza with a spectrum of pigments. Music performances and dance showcases accompanied the color festivities, and a variety of food vendors offered traditional and South Asian fare throughout the afternoon.
Advance registration was required for entry and for those wishing to participate in raffle drawings. The partnership between the organizers and Redmond's city government underscored the growing presence of South Asian culture in the greater Seattle area and the city's commitment to welcoming such celebrations in public space.
Holi carries deep cultural and religious significance, marking the arrival of spring and representing themes of love, renewal, and the triumph of good. Its observance in Redmond connects diaspora communities to shared traditions celebrated across India, Nepal, and South Asian communities worldwide. The City Hall setting made the event accessible to a broad audience, including many non-South Asian neighbors who came to experience the celebration alongside the community. [2]
Sources: [1] BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha · [2] nwasianweekly.com