By: Dr. Avi Verma

Parliament Hill in Ottawa was alive with the colors, rhythms, and devotion of Hindu Heritage Month 2025, hosted by Honorable MP Juanita Nathan and organized by the Hindu Canadian Foundation, Divya Durham, the Ontario Telugu Foundation, and Sky Canada World Community Service Center. The event brought together over 300 attendees from across Canada, representing diverse communities, professions, and regions, united in celebrating Hindu culture and contributions to Canadian society.


The evening opened with a high-energy performance by Canada Dhol Tasha, immediately setting a festive and vibrant tone. MP Nathan, joined by distinguished guests Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sachit Mehra, President of the Liberal Party of Canada; and Brendan Hanley, Liberal MP for Yukon, lit the ceremonial Diya. In her address, MP Nathan highlighted the significant contributions of Hindu Canadians and reflected on the richness of Hindu civilization, the world’s oldest continuous culture.

Robert Oliphant greeted the audience in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, acknowledging the beauty, diversity, and growing impact of Hindu traditions in Canada. He also recognized Anita Anand’s historic achievement as Canada’s first Hindu Cabinet Minister and emphasized the importance of strong ties with India. Brendan Hanley shared reflections on the contributions of the Hindu community in Yukon, while Sachit Mehra delivered a trilingual speech celebrating the community’s role in shaping Canadian society.

The program featured an impressive lineup of cultural performances, including Ganapathy prayer, Sanskrit shloka chanting, Thirupugal singing, Murugan Surasharam, Durga dance, Marathi Mangala Gaur, Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum, and Shri Ram Aagman, showcasing the spiritual and artistic depth of Hindu traditions.

Consul General of India, Shri Dinesh Patnaik, praised the event, highlighting the community’s devotion and Hindu Dharma’s flourishing strength rooted in divine feminine energy. MP Nathan presented 14 distinguished awards to members of the Hindu community, ranging from youth to seniors, honoring their meaningful contributions to Canadian society and promotion of Hindu values.

The celebration concluded with networking, vegetarian feasts, and a group photograph, fostering fellowship and community spirit. The organizers expressed gratitude to emcees Yesha Panchal and Prashant for their engaging hosting and wished all attendees a joyous Hindu Heritage Month.

This vibrant celebration reinforced the unity, resilience, and cultural richness of the Hindu Canadian community, leaving a lasting impression on all present.