Indian American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has invited the community to join Diwali celebrations at the Vedic Temple of Sterling in Virginia, reflecting the importance of the festival for Indian Americans as he begins another term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Fresh from his re-election victory in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, Subramanyam visited the Vedic Temple of Sterling to seek blessings. He also used the occasion to invite people to the temple’s Deepavali celebrations scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8.
Sharing a video from the temple in an Instagram reel, the Democrat thanked the temple community for its blessings following his election victory.
“Hi everyone, this is Congressman Suhas Subramaniam. I want to thank the Vedic Temple of Sterling for providing me blessings today after yesterday’s successful election. I’m so grateful for all of the people here, and I also want to invite you to join the temple this Sunday, November 8th.
READ: Suhas Subramanyam wins second term to US House (November 4, 2026)
“The temple will be open all day for Deepavali celebration, so come join us at the temple this Sunday, November 8th, and happy Deepavali everyone. Thank you.”
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. Celebrated as the festival of lights, it holds deep religious and cultural significance for Hindu Indian Americans, who mark the occasion with prayers, visits to temples, family gatherings, traditional food and the lighting of diyas.
For many Indian American families, Deepavali is also an opportunity to preserve cultural traditions and pass them on to younger generations while celebrating their heritage in the United States. Temples and community organizations across the country organize special prayers and cultural events, bringing families together for the festival.
Subramanyam’s invitation comes a day after he secured a second term in Congress, defeating Republican challenger Dave Beckwith in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
The Democrat received 200,615 votes, accounting for 61.39% of the total, compared with Beckwith’s 119,456 votes, or 36.55%, according to preliminary district results reported by Potomac Local. The results remain unofficial pending certification by Virginia election authorities.
READ: Meet the Indian Americans who won in the 2026 US midterm elections (November 4, 2026)
First elected in 2024, Subramanyam made history as the first Indian American to represent Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives and the first from the East Coast, according to his congressional office.
The 40-year-old congressman was born in Houston, Texas, to Indian parents. He graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans and earned his law degree with honors from Northwestern University.
Before entering electoral politics, Subramanyam worked as a policy aide on Capitol Hill and served as a White House technology policy adviser during President Barack Obama’s administration. He later established a small business in Loudoun County, Virginia, and volunteered as an emergency medical technician and firefighter.
His priorities for the next congressional session include economic concerns, the war in Iran and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.