Toronto is in the north shore of lake Ontario. It is the largest urban settlement in Canada. It is the nation commercial, industrial and cultural center. The Backwoods village grew to become the City of Toronto in 1834. Indian immigration to North America started as early as 1890s. The main Indian ethnic groups are Punjabis, Gujaratis and Tamils. The first Indian settlers were Indian army soldiers who passed through Canada in 1897 on their way back home after attending Queen Victoria diamond jubilee celebrations in London, England. Punjabi Indians liked the prospects of farming in Canada The United Hindu Congress Canada is a club where Indians get together and socialize in Canada.

There many locations where Indians could shop and feel at home. The Kala Kendar Sarees and Fabrics at Gerrard Street East, Nanak Cloth house, Punjab Cloth house, Shahi Fashion at Surrey, British Columbia and maharani sarees at Scarborough are some notable Indian textile shops in Toronto. Kala Kendar has a broad range of silk sarees in great prices. Apart from this, one could shop for Indian jewelries and accessories at Khoobsurat beauty and fashions at Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario. Adorable styles, which is owned by Jagpal Taneja, is a shop that has an unique collection of women clothing, shoes and handbags. Banga enterprises have a lot of Punjabi suits for ladies besides indo-western wear.

Shreya collection has a proud collection of Indian bridal wear, bridal jewellery, designer sarees, ghagras and other Indian dresses. Kumars Silk House Inc, that is located at Gerrard Street east, Toronto, is specialized in Bridal sarees, suits, fabrics, imitation jewellery and citizen watches for gents and ladies. Chandan Fashion Centre, located in the same neighbourhood as Kumars, specializes in reception sarees and lehengas, regular salwar kameez, trouser and lehenga, south and north Indian sarees, gents sherwanis and jodhpuri suits. Dil fashions, in the same locality has readymade fashion, men wear, children wear and costume jewellery.

309 Dhaba Indian Excellence, Biryani House, Nirvana Flavours of India and Brars Sweets are some notable Indian eateries at Toronto Ontario. While Gerard street east celebrates Diwali in a grand manner, the Vishnu Mandir of Toronto celebrates Pongal or Makar Sankranthi in a splendid way.