Dussehra + Navratri 2026 (Oct 12–21) in Toronto features some of Canada's most vibrant Indian diaspora celebrations. The GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is home to over half a million Indians — and 10 days of garba, Durga Puja, and Vijayadashami fill the calendar.

Biggest Garba Nights in the GTA

  • International Centre, Mississauga — massive garba nights, often hosts touring Bollywood/Gujarati artists
  • Powerade Centre, Brampton — Falguni Pathak / Kirtidan Gadhvi tours typically stop here
  • Rose Theatre Brampton — cultural + garba nights
  • Toronto Convention Centre garba nights
  • Sri Ganesha Temple, Richmond Hill — community garba nights

Bengali Durga Puja in Toronto

  • Bengali Cultural Association of Toronto — traditional pandal, anjali, sindoor khela
  • Prabashi Bengali Association
  • Kali Puja Toronto — concurrent Kali worship
  • Bengali Association of Ontario — Ontario-wide events

Major Toronto Temples for Navratri

  • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Etobicoke — grand Navadurga aradhana
  • Hindu Sabha Temple, Brampton — 9-day daily aarti
  • Sri Ganesha Temple, Richmond Hill — Ganesh + Durga worship combo
  • Vishnu Mandir, Richmond Hill
  • Devi Mandir, Pickering

Other Canadian Cities

  • Vancouver + Surrey — Bengal Puja + BAPS Surrey + garba nights
  • Calgary — Hindu Society of Calgary + garba community
  • Montreal — smaller but active Bengali + Marathi communities
  • Ottawa — community centre garba nights

Ravana Dahan in Toronto

Vijayadashami symbolic Ravana burning:

  • Vishnu Mandir Ravana Dahan — Richmond Hill, permitted community event
  • Sarva Hindu Punjabi Sabha — Ravana Dahan cultural show
  • Home celebration alternative: use small effigy in backyard fire pit (check municipal rules)

Community Associations

  • Gujarati Samaj of Toronto
  • Bengali Association of Ontario
  • Rajasthani Sammellan
  • Marathi Bhashik Mandal
  • Telugu Association of Metropolitan Toronto
  • Tamil Cultural Association

Each hosts regional-style Navratri programs.

Toronto-Specific Tips

  • October in Toronto can be chilly — chaniya choli is layered with light jackets for outdoor events
  • Public transit (TTC + GO Trains) to Brampton/Mississauga venues on weekends
  • Book garba tickets by end September — big nights sell out
  • Kids' events at BAPS + Hindu Sabha temples are family-friendly

Where to Buy Puja + Dandiya Supplies

  • Little India, Gerrard Street East — puja thali, incense, saris
  • Airport Road markets, Brampton — dandiya sticks + chaniya choli
  • Iqbal Sweets, Thorncliffe Park — mithai + prasad

Jai Mata Di! Jai Maa Durga!

May Goddess Durga bless every NRI home with strength, victory over obstacles, and prosperity.