Mamdani plays garba during navratri
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined members of the Indian community in celebrating Navratri on Tuesday, dancing to traditional Gujarati folk music in a video that has gained traction on social media.Mamdani was seen matching Garba steps while wearing a dupatta over his black suit.Following the celebrations, Mamdani also visited a temple, where he was seen seeking blessings from a priest.
Mamdani attending a Durga at a Hindu temple in Queens. Not often publicly noted that he is Gujarati: https://t.co/PgfBe6Ty2y
— Murtaza Hussain (@MazMHussain) October 21, 2026
The mayor extended his Navratri greetings to the Hindu community in a post on X, acknowledging the diverse traditions associated with the festival across South Asia, including Durga Puja, Dashain, Dussehra and Navratri.“This week, our Hindu neighbors celebrate the Goddess Durga during the festival of Navaratri.
Our neighbors will dance Garba, venerate the Goddess Durga with Sindur Khela, receive Tika from elders, set up Golu in their homes, and so much more,” he wrote.
“Whether your family calls it Durga Puja, Dashain, Dussehra, or Navratri, may this festival mark a season of reflection and renewal,” he added.Mamdani has previously joined local residents in celebrating South Asian festivals, including Diwali and Raksha Bandhan.The son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani, he has spoken about how growing up around Muslim and Hindu traditions shaped his values.