Nearly 300 Sault residents originally from India gathered at the former Aurora’s on McNabb Street Saturday evening to close out this year’s five-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a cherished Hindu festival honoring Lord Ganesha – the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity.

The week-long celebration was organized by the Indian Business Association, founded three months ago by chairman Vikas Chaudhary. It included lively processions, traditional music, dance performances, cultural exhibitions and the grand idol immersion ceremony.

“It is our first Ganpati Indian festival here in Sault and it is also our first open ground garba (traditional Indian dance) in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Chaudhary. “I believe in positivity and this is something new for the community.”

In addition to being chairman of the Indian Business Association, Chaudhary is also the owner of Prairie Donair in Second Line West. He is a member of the UN Climate Change Committee and also leads farmers on federal issues.

This week’s religious event comes as tensions between Canada and India continue to rise following Ottawa’s allegations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Vancouver, the Canadian Press reported last week .

Despite little public evidence, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that India was linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed by masked gunmen in Surrey, British Columbia, in June.

Canada has since expelled an Indian diplomat from the country’s capital, while New Delhi dismissed Trudeau’s accusation as “absurd and motivated” before India later expelled a Canadian diplomat.

Delhi-based Chaudhary says the situation is not a true reflection of the positive relationship that citizens of both countries have built with each other.

“It’s all about politics,” he says. “I can say 100 percent that no one can be happy hearing news like this. Nobody wants that.”

“As long as Canada and India believe in brotherhood, we will be safe. Everyone loves peace – that’s why people enjoy life in Canada. It is the beauty of this country. People come here for the quality of life.”

Chaudhary has now lived in the Sault with his wife and young daughter for three years and looks forward to sharing the rich traditions and cultural diversity of his homeland as the Indian Business Association looks to host more events and celebrations in the near future.

“We have a great community here,” he says. “We are all a family.”