In an attempt to recreate spiritual traditions far away of home, the Indian community performed a grand Ganga Aarti on the banks of Canada’s Credit River in Mississauga earlier this week. The event, organised by Radio Dhishum, took place at Erindale Park in Mississauga and saw several devotees gather in traditional attire.
In the video, devotees dressed in traditional attire can be seen performing the Aarti with lit thalis, devotional chants, and bhajans echoing through the riverside. The ritual was intended to be a nostalgic tribute to the cultural and spiritual roots of India, performed thousands of miles from home.
The Indian Consulate in Toronto, in a post on X, shared pictures of the event. Consul Sanjeev Saklani also attended the ceremony. “Consul Sanjeev Saklani represented the Consulate at the Ganga Aarti, a soulful evening of divine chants and pious mantras at the banks of the Credit River at Erindale Park, Mississauga organized by Team @RadioDhishum,” the post reads.
Consul Sanjeev Saklani represented the Consulate at the Ganga Aarti, a soulful evening of divine chants and pious mantras at the banks of the Credit River at Erindale Park, Mississauga organized by Team @RadioDhishum.@HCI_Ottawa @MEAIndia @diaspora_india pic.twitter.com/DO2ceopVVw
— IndiainToronto (@IndiainToronto) July 8, 2025
The video of the event was also shared by one Priyanka Gupta on Instagram which went viral soon after. “In all these 10 years in Canada, this was the most magical evening,” she wrote, calling it a “slice of India” recreated thousands of miles away.
She further added that the rituals – from Aarti thalis to devotional music and mantras – made the ceremony feel like home. “Under the open skies of Canada, we weren’t NRIs. We were just Indians, connected, grounded, and grateful,” she said in her caption.
“Happy to see India and Canada culturally getting connected,” wrote one user. Another commented, “What a beautiful coverage. We are so overwhelmed hearing this.”
Apart from its spiritual side, the event was a way to build community as such events help younger generations living in abroad to connect with their roots. They also serve as moments of pride for the diaspora, illustrating how Indian traditions can flourish globally while remaining rooted in their essence.
