These Award-Winning and One-of-a-Kind Toys Celebrate Hindu Culture Through Play

Growing up, Modi Toys founders and siblings Avani Sarkar and Viral Modi were still immersed in Hindu culture after immigrating to the U.S. from India. But when the two became first-time parents, it dawned on them how difficult it could be to raise their first-generation American kids while still retaining their religious and cultural identities.

According to a 2021 Pew Study Survey, roughly three in 10 adults in the U.S. are now religiously unaffiliated, up from 17 percent a decade ago. However, another Religious Landscape Study by Pew points to 79 percent of Hindus in America who say religion is important. While American society trends toward secularization, Sarkar and Modi knew there were still thousands of parents like them who yearned for simple ways to preserve their roots and pass them on to future generations. Modi wanted to give his newborn daughter something special she could cherish for years to come, but was coming up empty-handed, and Sarkar questioned why there weren’t any fun yet cultural toys geared toward South Asian children. So, like many successful businesses, Modi Toys was born out of an unmet need. 

Inspiring all generations to take pride in their faith and dual identities, Modi Toys’ representative and meaningful toys serve as a gateway to the Hindu culture in a fun, subtle, and easily interactive way. They  allow parents to introduce their children to Hindu culture in a simple manner that fits within their lifestyle. Its most popular products are plush toys of Hindu deities, including Ganesh (the god of good fortune), Hanuman (the god of strength and devotion), Durga (the goddess of power and protection), Krishna (the god of love and friendship), and Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge, music, and arts). Each one comes with a song box that plays mantras respective to the deity, sung by children and Indian artists for authenticity.

You have the option to personalize the plush toys, making them a special keepsake for your little ones and friends. Even better, the company recently released books (all written by Sarkar) that share popular stories in Hindu culture, with titles including How Ganesh Broke His Tusk, Hanuman and His Hidden Power, and The Curious Case of Krishna, as part of their effort to revive and reimagine the Hindu culture. 

Modi Toys helps children connect with their faith and adults reconnect with their roots in a tangible and relevant way. A kid can bring a plush and its corresponding book to show-and-tell, sleep with it at night to protect them from nightmares, or simply display it in their rooms as they get older. They’re all made in India from sustainable and recycled plastic, and the plush toys come with removable batteries, so you can easily wash them and extend their lifespan. 

You can also purchase bundles of these representative books and toys for classrooms, playrooms, and more. Come back to the website frequently to check out its newest releases, such as the Shhhanti Musical Crib Mobile. 

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone else, you'll find something to cherish at Modi Toys.

Buy It! Modi Toys, $11–$42; moditoys.com

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