The streets of New York came alive with the colors and sounds of India as the 42nd Annual India Day Parade made its way down Madison Avenue. Amid the bustling cityscape, thousands gathered to celebrate their heritage, their pride reflected in the fluttering Indian flags and the rhythmic beats of dhols. The parade, a celebration of India’s culture and history, showcased the deep connection between the Indian diaspora and their roots.
At the center was a wooden float, measuring 18 feet long, nine feet wide, and eight feet high which was largely carved in India and shipped by air cargo to participate in the parade.It depicted the grand pink sandstone Ram Mandir built for Lord Ram in Ayodhya, and was adorned with flowers. The Ram Lalla idol, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya, was also featured on the float.
The parade marched down Madison Avenue from East 38th Street to East 27th Street, accompanied by a festival featuring cultural performances, booths, and food vendors.
According to the Federation of Indian Associations, the parade included over 40 floats, 50 marching groups, and 30 marching bands, along with celebrities and dignitaries such as Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, actor Pankaj Tripathi, and Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari.
Swami Avdheshanand Giri, who participated in the parade at the invitation of the Indian-American community, praised the enthusiasm of the participants and the tableaus showcasing India’s divine culture and values. He highlighted that the Ram Mandir float demonstrates India’s belief in considering the whole world as a family and seeing only one God in all human beings.
However, a group representing Indian American Muslims withdrew its float from the parade, citing controversy over the inclusion of the Ram Mandir float, which they claim shows anti-Muslim bias.
The Federation of Indian Associations, the organizers of the event, said that the float celebrates the inauguration of a landmark significant to Hindus and represents the country’s diversity.
For more than forty years, the India Day Parade has been an annual event in New York City, commemorating India’s independence. This long-standing tradition continued with the 42nd Annual India Day Parade, which took place on the bustling streets of the city.
The parade, which has been taking place every year for over four decades, is a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and heritage. As the event enters its fifth decade, it aims to highlight the spirit of the Indian community in New York and their commitment to honoring their nation’s independence.
At the center was a wooden float, measuring 18 feet long, nine feet wide, and eight feet high which was largely carved in India and shipped by air cargo to participate in the parade.It depicted the grand pink sandstone Ram Mandir built for Lord Ram in Ayodhya, and was adorned with flowers. The Ram Lalla idol, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya, was also featured on the float.
The parade marched down Madison Avenue from East 38th Street to East 27th Street, accompanied by a festival featuring cultural performances, booths, and food vendors.
According to the Federation of Indian Associations, the parade included over 40 floats, 50 marching groups, and 30 marching bands, along with celebrities and dignitaries such as Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, actor Pankaj Tripathi, and Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari.
Swami Avdheshanand Giri, who participated in the parade at the invitation of the Indian-American community, praised the enthusiasm of the participants and the tableaus showcasing India’s divine culture and values. He highlighted that the Ram Mandir float demonstrates India’s belief in considering the whole world as a family and seeing only one God in all human beings.
However, a group representing Indian American Muslims withdrew its float from the parade, citing controversy over the inclusion of the Ram Mandir float, which they claim shows anti-Muslim bias.
The Federation of Indian Associations, the organizers of the event, said that the float celebrates the inauguration of a landmark significant to Hindus and represents the country’s diversity.
For more than forty years, the India Day Parade has been an annual event in New York City, commemorating India’s independence. This long-standing tradition continued with the 42nd Annual India Day Parade, which took place on the bustling streets of the city.
The parade, which has been taking place every year for over four decades, is a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and heritage. As the event enters its fifth decade, it aims to highlight the spirit of the Indian community in New York and their commitment to honoring their nation’s independence.