View source for Little India (Middlesex County, New Jersey)

{{Short description|South Asian shopping district in Edison, New Jersey}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
'''Oak Tree Road''' is a predominantly [[South Asian]] shopping, business, and dining district centered on a road designated County Route 604 in [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]], in [[Central New Jersey|Central]] [[New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/12000604__-.pdf|title=Middlesex County 604 straight line diagram|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]|accessdate=January 4, 2020}}</ref> The district, which has been called "'''Little India''',"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/little-india-thrives-in-central-new-jersey-1506340801|title='Little India' Thrives in Central New Jersey|first=Kate|last=King|newspaper=WSJ |date=September 25, 2017|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref> is set amidst a suburban residential area that is home to many South Asian families.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/13/realestate/edison-nj-a-diverse-suburb-in-a-convenient-location.html|title=Edison, N.J.: A Diverse Suburb in a Convenient Location|first=Kathleen|last=Lynn|newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2022/08/pakistan-day-parade-nj-is-set-for-aug-21.html|title=Pakistan Day Parade NJ is set for Aug. 21|first=Community|last=Bulletin|date=August 18, 2022|website=nj}}</ref>
==Location==
Oak Tree Road runs for about one-and-a-half miles through [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison]] and neighboring [[Iselin, New Jersey|Iselin]], a section of [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/17/nyregion/in-edison-a-crossroads-of-diversity.html|title=In Edison, a Crossroads of Diversity|first=Robert|last=Hanley|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 17, 1991}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/travel/indo-chinese-restaurants-edison-new-jersey.html|title=Indo-Chinese Food Is Hard to Find, Except in New Jersey|first=David|last=Shaftel|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 March 2017}}</ref> The epicenter of Little India retail is traditionally on the two-block stretch of Oak Tree Road between Correja Avenue and Middlesex Avenue in Iselin, an area officially known as India Square; there, as of 2017, rents were roughly double over the rest of the area.<ref name="auto4"/> The intersection of Wood Avenue and Oak Tree Road is where the two towns meet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://brooklynbased.com/2012/01/26/day-trip-edison-and-iselin-new-jersey/|title=Day Trip: Edison and Iselin, New Jersey for South Asian flavors; Brooklyn Based|date=January 26, 2012|website=brooklynbased.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/food/2017/06/50_best_restaurants_new_jersey.html|title=The 49 N.J. restaurants you need to eat at before you die|first=Vicki |last= Hyman|website =NJ Advance Media for NJ.com|date=June 26, 2017}}</ref> Some have lamented the "[[stroad]]" status of parts of the western portion of the road as inhibiting ideal [[walkability]] from establishment to establishment, and have advocated for improved [[sidewalk]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2022/7/21/oak-tree-road-and-the-second-life-cycle-blues|title=Oak Tree Road and the Second Life Cycle Blues|website=Strong Towns|date=October 13, 2023 }}</ref>
[[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex]], in [[Central Jersey]], is the U.S. county with the highest concentration of [[Indian Americans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2012/11/big_business_in_little_india_c.html|title=Big business in Little India: Commerce flourishes in vibrant ethnic neighborhood|first=Peter|last=Genovese|date=16 November 2012|website=nj.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saveur.com/article/Travels/Oak-Tree-Road-Iselin-NJ|title=Eat Street: Oak Tree Road, Iselin, N.J.|website=SAVEUR|date=March 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/21/realestate/if-you-re-thinking-of-living-in-iselin-nj-curry-and-saris-spice-a-typical-suburb.html|title=If You're Thinking of Living In/Iselin, N.J.; Curry and Saris Spice a 'Typical' Suburb|first=Julia|last=Lawlor|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 21, 2002}}</ref>
This area is the largest and most diverse [[South Asian]] ethnic enclave and cultural hub in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/little-india-thrives-in-central-new-jersey-1506340801|title='Little India' Thrives in Central New Jersey|first=Kate|last=King|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=25 September 2017|publisher=|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/monteburke/2012/06/06/the-ultimate-neighborhood-bank/|title=How Indo-Americans Created The Ultimate Neighborhood Bank|first=Monte|last=Burke|website=Forbes}}</ref> According to the 2017 [[American Community Survey]], 42.6% of Iselin residents identified themselves as being Asian Indian, the highest for any [[census-designated place]] in the United States.<ref>[https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/17_5YR/DP05/1600000US3434470] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200213094649/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/17_5YR/DP05/1600000US3434470|date=2020-02-13}} Accessed April 28, 2019.</ref>
==Culture, cuisine, and commerce==
[[File:Saravana Bhavan Edison NJ.jpg|thumb|[[Saravana Bhavan]] restaurant off Oak Tree Road in [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison]]]]
Oak Tree Road in Edison and Iselin is home to over 400 South Asian business establishments, including dining, [[halal]] grocery, jewelry, [[apparel]] and [[consumer electronics|electronics]] retailing, and [[entertainment industry|entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oaktreeroad.us/|title=Oak Tree Road Edison, Iselin NJ Indian Shopping, Food, Restaurants}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saveur.com/indian-restaurants-food-edison-new-jersey|title=A One-Day Snacker's Guide to Edison, NJ, One of America's Best Indian Food Destinations|website=SAVEUR|date=March 18, 2019|accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/27indianj.html|title=A Place Where Indians, Now New Jerseyans, Thrive|first=Joseph|last=Berger|newspaper=The New York Times|date=27 April 2008|publisher=|accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/edison-brimming-with-indian-culture/|title=Edison Brimming with Indian Culture - Video|publisher=|accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref> Many come to the area for its traditional gold and [[Maharashtra|Maharashtrian]] jewelry retailers.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/little-india-thrives-in-central-new-jersey|title=Little India Thrives in Central New Jersey|date=September 25, 2017|website=Dow Jones Newswires}}</ref>  Indian-American supermarket chain [[Patel Brothers]] has a location on the strip.<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/new-generation-of-gujaratis-take-political-guard-on-american-pitch {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>
Over 145 [[Indian cuisine|Indian]] restaurants alone are found in the neighborhood.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://njmonthly.com/articles/eat-drink/oak-tree-road-street-of-dreams/|title=Oak Tree Road is a Street of Dreams for Lovers of South Asian Cuisine|date=1 May 2017|website=New Jersey Monthly}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ny.eater.com/2017/3/13/14902030/the-best-indian-food-in-new-york-is-in-new-jersey|title=The Best Indian Food In New York Is Actually in New Jersey|first=Robert|last=Sietsema|date=13 March 2017|website=Eater NY}}</ref> Establishments have appeared on food critics' "best of South Asian cuisine" national and regional lists.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailymeal.com/travel/best-south-asian-indian-restaurants-in-united-states|title=America's 25 Best Indian Restaurants|date=August 24, 2018|website=The Daily Meal}}
(listing Dimple’s BombayTalk in Iselin and Shalimar in Iselin among America's top 25 Indian Restaurants)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ny.eater.com/maps/best-indian-nyc-nj-restaurants|title=Where to Find the Best Regional Indian Cooking in NY and NJ|first=Robert|last=Sietsema|date=September 29, 2021|website=Eater NY}}(listing Moghul Express in Edison; Dosa Express in Iselin; Chowpatty in Iselin)</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/dining/a-chef-revisits-his-indian-roots-in-new-jersey.html|title=Across the Hudson, Closer to India|first=Jeff|last=Gordinier|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 30, 2013}}</ref> The district is also known as a destination for [[Indo-Chinese cuisine]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/travel/indo-chinese-restaurants-edison-new-jersey.html|title=Indo-Chinese Food Is Hard to Find, Except in New Jersey|first=David|last=Shaftel|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 9, 2017}}</ref> Establishments range from vegetarian to non-vegetarian, South Indian to North Indian, and sweet to spicy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monthly |first=New Jersey |date=2017-05-01 |title=Oak Tree Road is a Street of Dreams for Lovers of South Asian Cuisine |url=https://njmonthly.com/articles/eat-drink/oak-tree-road-street-of-dreams/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=New Jersey Monthly}}</ref> One food and entertainment critic has named the "atmospheric" Little India as one of the "50 Best Reasons to Live in New Jersey".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/11/the-50-best-reasons-to-live-in-new-jersey.html|title=The 50 best reasons to live in New Jersey|first=Peter |last=Genovese |website= NJ Advance Media for NJ.com|date=November 28, 2021}}</ref>
The actor-comedian [[Omi Vaidya]] celebrated the Oak Tree Road scene and South  Asian culture in his 2020 song "Oak Tree Road," a parody of [[Old Town Road]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doyle |first=Bill|date=2020-02-11 |title=Parody of 'Old Town Road' celebrates Edison’s South Asian culture |url=https://nj1015.com/parody-of-old-town-road-celebrates-edisons-south-asian-culture/?trackback=twitter_mobile |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=New Jersey 101.5 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newjersey.news12.com/story/41860575/gonna-head-on-down-to-oak-tree-road-lil-nas-x-parody-pays-homage-to-njs-south-asian-community|title='Gonna head on down to Oak Tree Road' – Lil Nas X parody pays homage to NJ's South Asian community|website=newjersey.news12.com}}</ref>
In 2023, [[Tanishq]], the luxury Indian jewelry brand, opened its U.S. flagship store on Oak Tree Road.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/tanishq-new-jersey-debut/|title=Tanishq's New Jersey Debut Drew Customers From Across the East Coast - JCK}}</ref>
==History==
[[File:NorthernNewJersey1777.jpg|thumb|right|260px|1777 map of the area where the [[Battle of Short Hills|Oak Tree Engagement]] took place. The greater battle occurred overall at points between [[Metuchen, New Jersey|"Metuchin"]] and [[Westfield, New Jersey|Westfield]]. "Spanktown" is modern-day [[Rahway, New Jersey|Rahway.]]]]
Oak Tree Road has a long history in commerce. It is named for a large [[oak]] tree which stood at a crossroads where a market was located during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] era.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=53346|title=The Oak Tree Neighborhood Historical Marker|website=www.hmdb.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://em.gmnews.com/news/2010-12-01/Front_Page/Historians_shed_light_on_site_of_1777_battle.html|title=Historians shed light on site of 1777 battle &#124; em.gmnews.com &#124; Edison/Metuchen Sentinel|date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910201314/http://em.gmnews.com/news/2010-12-01/Front_Page/Historians_shed_light_on_site_of_1777_battle.html|archive-date=September 10, 2015}}</ref> This crossroads and surrounding area was the site of the Oak Tree Engagement during the [[Battle of Short Hills|Battle of the Short Hills]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/edison_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm|title=Edison, New Jersey Revolutionary War Sites &#124; Edison Historic Sites|website=www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=53337|title=The Oak Tree Engagement and the Battle of the Short Hills Historical Marker|website=www.hmdb.org}}</ref>  It was a relatively rural area in the early to mid 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abebooks.com/9781434309709/Now-Iselin-Miele-John-1434309703/plp|title=9781434309709: Then and Now of Iselin - AbeBooks - Miele, John: 1434309703|website=www.abebooks.com}}</ref><ref>Onder, J. P., Miele, J. T. (2007). Then and Now of Iselin. United States: AuthorHouse.</ref><ref>Onder, J. P., Miele, J. T. (2011). Then and Now of Iselin - Volume 2. United Kingdom: AuthorHouse.</ref>
In the early 1990s, prior to the arrival of significant Indian investment, Oak Tree Road was a down-on-its-luck strip of [[biker bar]]s and abandoned buildings.<ref name="auto3"/>
Some late-1980s-era economic pioneers to the then-rundown strip experienced racism from the locals, which largely subsided by the early 1990s.<ref name="auto4"/> The first [[Navratri]] festival in the state of New Jersey was held in the area in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2012/11/big_business_in_little_india_c.html|title=Big business in Little India: Commerce flourishes in vibrant ethnic neighborhood|first=Peter Genovese &#124; NJ Advance Media for|last=NJ.com|date=November 16, 2012|website=nj}}</ref>
As Indian businesses began arriving in the 1990s en masse, the area transformed over time into the "thriving market full of pedestrian traffic on weekends" seen today.<ref name="auto4"/>
By 2022, the Indian population was approaching one-third of the population of [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]] in southern [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]], and the nickname ''Edison-South'' had developed, in reference to the [[Little India]] stature of both [[Township (New Jersey)|townships]] in Middlesex County.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j2t2feSY-iw |title= Monroe swears in 1st officer of Asian-Indian descent during Asian Pacific American Heritage month|website=m.youtube.com |access-date=May 25, 2022}}{{title missing|date=July 2022}}</ref>
==Festivals and events==
A blend of South Asian religious festivals and cultural events are held in the Oak Tree Road district in Edison and Iselin, each featuring a [[melting pot]] of visitors and celebrants of all religions and backgrounds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/south-asian-community-outreach-organizing-10th-annual-interfaith-holiday-celebration/|title=South Asian Community Outreach Organizing 10th Annual Interfaith Holiday Celebration|date=December 13, 2021|website=Insider NJ}}</ref>
===India Day Parade===
The annual New Jersey India Day Parade, hosted by the Indian Business Association,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidernj.com/indian-business-association-members-go-d-c-ahead-annual-parade-edison/|title=Indian Business Association Members Go to D.C. Ahead of Annual Parade in Edison|date=17 July 2018|website=Insider NJ}}</ref> is held every August on Oak Tree Road to celebrate [[India Day Parade|Indian Independence Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsindiatimes.com/anupam-kher-parades-down-oak-tree-road/37272|title=Anupam Kher parades down Oak Tree Road - News India Times|author=Staff Writer|date=August 14, 2018 |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/13/garden/a-taste-of-india-via-new-jersey.html|title=A Taste of India Via New Jersey|first=Elaine|last=Louie|newspaper=The New York Times|date=13 July 1994|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bonappetit.com/story/dosas-swagath-gourmet|title=The Indian Restaurant I'm Drawn to Like a Magnet|first=|last=|website=Bon Appétit|date=June 6, 2018}}</ref> Celebrants such as Governor [[Phil Murphy]] start in Edison at Cinder Road and march eastbound towards Iselin, finishing the parade at India Square in Iselin. In 2022 as in other years, local officials attended, including Speaker [[Craig Coughlin]], U.S. congressman [[Frank Pallone]], New Jersey state senator [[Patrick J. Diegnan]], Assemblyman [[Robert Karabinchak]], Mayor [[John McCormac]], and Edison mayor Sam Joshi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oNsTdv-Hug|title=75th India Independence Day Parade 2022 &#124; Rep. Frank Pallone &#124; Edison NJ USA|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/south-plainfield/sections/middlesex-county-news/articles/india-day-parade-attracts-over-38-000-in-edison-2|title=India Day Parade Attracts Over 38,000 in Edison|date=August 11, 2015|website=TAPinto}}</ref>
====Celebrity parade guests====
Celebrities from [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]] and [[Telugu cinema]] are typically invited to the parade on Oak Tree Road. Attendees and parade marshals have included [[Tamannaah Bhatia]], [[Kajal Aggarwal]], [[Sonu Sood]], RJ Devaki, [[Monal Gajjar]], Richa Anirudh, [[Avani Modi]], Prachee Shah, Madalsa Sherma, [[Sameksha Singh]], [[Esha Deol]] and [[Sujata Mehta]].
====2022 parade float controversy====
In 2022, controversy and concerns about [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim animus]] arose at the annual parade when members of the community objected to a yellow [[wheel loader]], resembling a bulldozer, seen in the August 14 parade displaying photographs of Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi|Modi]] and the [[Hindutva|conservative Hindu nationalist]] monk, [[Yogi Adityanath]], who is also the chief elected leader of the Northern Indian region of [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/25/nyregion/bulldozer-indian-parade-new-jersey.html|title=An Anti-Muslim Symbol From India Is Paraded on Main Street, New Jersey|first=Tracey|last=Tully|work=The New York Times |date=September 25, 2022|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newjersey.news12.com/edison-community-divided-regarding-bulldozer-used-in-indian-day-parade-seen-by-some-as-islamophobic|title=Edison community divided regarding bulldozer used in Indian Day parade seen by some as Islamophobic|website=News 12 - New Jersey}}</ref> Modi and Adityanath are both members of the right-leaning [[Bharatiya Janata Party]], a major Indian political party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61837134|title=How bulldozers became a vehicle of injustice in India|date=June 19, 2022|via=www.bbc.com}}</ref> The 2022 Oak Tree Road parade's grand marshal, [[Sambit Patra]], is the national spokesperson for the same party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/woodbridge-slash-carteret/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/india-day-parade-comes-to-woodbridge-today|title=India Day Parade Comes to Woodbridge Today|website=TAPinto}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2022/aug/25/symbol-of-hate-usage-of-bulldozer-inindependence-day-parade-at-new-jersey-town-disappointsresidents-2491346.html|title='Symbol of hate': Usage of bulldozer in Independence day parade at New Jersey town disappoints residents|website=The New Indian Express|date=August 25, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2022/08/24/nj-india-day-parade-muslims-bulldozer/65415937007/|title=NJ India Day Parade organizers under fire for anti-Muslim symbol|website=Courier News}}</ref> The yellow construction vehicle displayed at the 2022 parade included a placard with the words [[Bulldozer politics|"Baba ka bulldozer"]] written in [[Hindi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidernj.com/this-is-not-my-edison-edison-officials-condemn-parade-bulldozer/|title='This is not my Edison': Officials Condemn Parade Bulldozer|date=August 25, 2022|website=Insider NJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/aapi-legislators-statement-on-india-day-parade-bulldozer/|title=AAPI Legislators' Statement on India Day Parade Bulldozer|date=August 25, 2022|website=Insider NJ}}</ref> This display was a reference to the [[Yogi Adityanath|monk's]] nickname, both affectionately and pejoratively, of [[Bulldozer politics|"Bulldozer Baba"]] (roughly equivalent to "Father Bulldozer," "Saint Bulldozer" or "Bulldozer Monk")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/story/muslims-in-india-say-they-face-a-threat-bulldozers-73e5a332|title=Muslims in India Say They Face a Threat: Bulldozers|date=August 14, 2022|website=WSJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6193648/modi-india-bulldozer-justice-muslims/|title=Bulldozers Have Razed My Home, and Broken the Back of India's Muslims. Does the World Care?|date=July 5, 2022|magazine=Time}}</ref>
for his extensive use of the machine in demolishing structures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gte2lPe8juE|title=Video: CAIR-NJ Rep Says Edison India Parade Bulldozer was 'Clear Message of Intimidation'|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/why-bulldozer-baba-yogi-adityanath-keeps-using-the-machine-for-law-and-order/1000182/|title=Why 'Bulldozer baba' Yogi Adityanath keeps using the machine for law and order|first=Badri|last=Narayan|website=[[ThePrint]] |date=June 17, 2022}}</ref> Ultimately, the parade organizers apologized for the parade display. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office characterized the display as a "bias incident," although no probable cause existed to press criminal charges of bias intimidation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2023/01/30/no-bias-charges-for-controversial-float-in-indian-day-parade/69848811007/|title=Prosecutor won't file bias charges for controversial float in Indian Day Parade|website=Courier News}}</ref>
====2023 Bajrang Dal flags at parade ====
During the 2023 parade, reports arose of anti-Muslim intimidation by a group of young men waving the militant Hindu nationalist [[Bajrang Dal]] flags and chanting, concerning Indian Muslim parade-marcher witnesses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/edison-metuchen/muslim-group-condemns-hateful-display-flag-edison-parade|title=Muslim Group Condemns 'Hateful Display' Of Flag At Edison India Day Parade|date=August 15, 2023|website=Edison-Metuchen, NJ Patch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2023/08/16/disruption-at-edisons-india-day-parade-rattles-muslim-marchersfront-headline/70596258007/|title=Disruption at Edison's India Day Parade rattles Muslim participants|website=North Jersey Media Group}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Minhaj M. |date=2023-09-04 |title=Op-Ed: NJ’s Indian diaspora must stand against anti-Muslim harassment |url=https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2023/09/op-ed-indian-americans-in-nj-must-stand-against-hateful-anti-muslim-displays/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=NJ Spotlight News |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Other festivals and events===
* [[Ganesh Utsav]]. Every year the weeklong festival honoring the [[Hindu]] deity [[Ganesha]] draws thousands of celebrants to nearby [[Woodbridge Mall]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/edison/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/thousands-celebrate-ganesh-utsav-at-the-woodbridge-mall|title=Thousands Celebrate Ganesh Utsav At The Woodbridge Mall|website=TAPinto}}</ref>
* [[Diwali]]. Celebrations for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, are held annually on Oak Tree Road and surroundings.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://blog.funnewjersey.com/little-india-in-edison-nj-best-restaurants-and-things-to-do/|title=Little India in Edison NJ: Best Restaurants and Things to Do|date=September 15, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Holi]], the Hindu festival of colors, is also celebrated with the use of color and dancing at events on Oak Tree Road.<ref name="auto"/>
* [[Muslim holidays|Eid]]. Visitors and the [[Desi]] Muslims in the Oak Tree Road area celebrate the Eid religious festivals twice a year with feasts and celebrations: [[Eid al-Fitr]] at the end of [[Ramadan]] and [[Eid al-Adha]] later in the year.<ref name="auto"/>
* [[Christmas]]. The Indian Business Association sponsors a [[Christmas tree]] lighting and celebratory festival with [[Santa Claus]] annually.<ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/edison/articles/local-business-group-hosts-annual-christmas-spectacular-for-all-residents|title=Local Business Group Hosts Annual Christmas Spectacular For All Residents|website=TAPinto}}</ref>
* [[Navratri]]. A large Navratri festival is held annually in the area, in most recent years at the NJ Expo Center at [[Raritan Center]]. [[Jack Ciattarelli]] attended in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/19/nyregion/in-person-the-festival-man.html|title=IN PERSON; The Festival Man|first=Andrea|last=Kannapell|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 19, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/114283/|title=Pradip "Peter" Kothari Endorses Mahesh Bhagia for Mayor, McCann, Peng, Patel For Council|date=March 3, 2021|website=Insider NJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hindumonth.org/event/vibrant-navratri-2021-expo-hall-edison-nj/2021-10-08/|title=Vibrant Navratri 2021 @ Expo Hall, Edison, NJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddegPC8c_NM|title=Vibrant Navratri 2021 Gathers Indian-American Community - Edison Expo Hall - New Jersey|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
*The [[List of film festivals in New Jersey|New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival]] is held annually.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://filmfreeway.com/njiiff|title=New Jersey Indian & International Film Festival (NJIIFF)|date=January 5, 2023|website=FilmFreeway}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://njiiff.org/home|title=New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival (NJIIFF)|first=New Jersey Indian and International Film|last=Festival (NJIIFF)|website=New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival (NJIIFF)}}</ref>
==Houses of worship==
A variety of [[Hindu temples]] have been established along the strip, alongside diverse Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations in the greater area. Shirdi Sai Cultural and Community Center is one such temple. Located on the Iselin side of the district, it is devoted to the 19th century Indian saint [[Sai Baba of Shirdi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsindiatimes.com/75th-birthday-of-viswayogi-maharaj-celebrated-at-shirdi-sai-cultural-center-in-new-jersey/|title=75th birthday of Viswayogi Maharaj celebrated at Shirdi Sai Cultural Center in New Jersey &#124; News India Times|author=Staff Writer|date=September 10, 2018 }}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|New Jersey|New York City|India}}
*[[Edison, New Jersey#Chinese community|Chinese community of Edison, NJ]]
* [[Curry Hill]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]]
* [[Curry Row]] in [[Lower Manhattan]]
* [[Ethnoburb]]
* [[List of neighborhoods in Edison, New Jersey]]
* [[List of neighborhoods in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey]]
* [[List of county routes in Middlesex County, New Jersey]]
* [[India Independence Day Parade]]
* [[Indians in the New York City metropolitan region]]
* [[India Square]] in [[Jersey City, New Jersey]]
*[[Dotbusters|The Dotbusters]], an anti-Indian violent hate group in 1980s and early 1990s, mainly in [[Jersey City, New Jersey]].
* [[Overseas Indians]]
* [[Swaminarayan Akshardham (North America)|Swaminarayan Akshardham]] in [[Robbinsville, New Jersey]] ([[List of largest Hindu temples|the world's second-largest Hindu temple]] and the largest outside [[Asia]]).
* New Jersey-India Commission, a state commission created in 2024 to enhance New Jersey-India trade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://njbiz.com/murphy-establishes-new-jersey-india-commission/|title=Murphy establishes New Jersey-India Commission|first=Matthew|last=Fazelpoor|date=February 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roi-nj.com/2024/02/06/politics/strengthening-a-bond-new-jersey-india-commission-created/|title=Strengthening a bond, New Jersey-India Commission created|first=Tom|last=Bergeron|date=February 6, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ccc.bc.edu/content/ccc/regulatory-radar/gov-signs-NJ-India-Commission.html|title=Governor Murphy signs off on a New Jersey-India Commission|website=BC CCC}}</ref>
* New Jersey India Center, formed by the state of New Jersey in 2019 as an economic contact point for Indian businesses interested in bringing business to the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.choosenj.com/about-us/njic/|title=New Jersey India Center|website=Choose New Jersey, Inc.}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{coord|40.57393|-74.32642|display=title}}
{{Edison, New Jersey}}
[[Category:Roads in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Asian-American culture in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Indian-American culture]]
[[Category:Little Indias]]
[[Category:Edison, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Ethnic enclaves in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Ethnic enclaves in the United States]]
[[Category:New Jersey culture]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Indian-American culture in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Neighborhoods in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Neighborhoods in Edison, New Jersey]]
[[Category:South Asian American culture]]
[[Category:Culture of Indian diaspora|American]]
[[Category:Indian diaspora in the United States]]
[[Category:Pakistani diaspora in the United States]]