Each August, Indians around the world celebrate India Day, marking the anniversary of the South Asian nation’s independence from British colonial rule. This past Sunday, Middlesex County revelers participated in one of the biggest, most boisterous celebrations this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Approximately 37,000 people gathered along Oak Tree Road and marched from Edison to Iselin to mark India’s 63rd birthday, bringing joy and excitement to the neighborhood unofficially dubbed “Little India.”
Bollywood star Mallika Sherawat graced the streets to headline the India Day festivities, sponsored by the Indian Business Association Inc. Participants cheered as they marched their way to a cultural fair at Iselin’s St. Cecilia Church, complete with musical performances and children’s dance troupes.
The hub of Indian culture on the East Coast, Oak Tree Road is a bustling thoroughfare lined with Indian shops and restaurants. Home to one of the largest Indian communities in the United States, the neighborhood is an exciting, vibrant place for Indians and non-Indians alike to experience a slice of South Asian culture.
BestRentNJ.com properties located closest to Oak Tree Road include Oak Tree Village, Trafalgar, and Hidden Valley. Residents looking to continue the celebration can look forward to a Flag Ceremony in Iselin on Saturday, August 14th at noon.