Little India, Edison/Iselin

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Little India, Edison/Iselin, also known as Oak Tree Road, is a heavily South Asian shopping, business and dining district centered on a road, designated County Route 604, in Middlesex County, in Central New Jersey.[1] It is about a thirty-five-minute drive southwest of Manhattan amid a leafy suburban residential region home to many South Asian families. One food and entertainment critic has named the "atmospheric" Little India as one of the "50 Best Reasons to Live in New Jersey."[2]

Little India on Oak Tree Road runs for about one-and-a-half miles through Edison and neighboring Iselin, New Jersey.[3][4] 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 strip.[5] The intersection of Wood Avenue and Oak Tree Road is where the two towns meet.[6][7]

Oak Tree Road in Edison and Iselin is home to over 400 South Asian business establishments, including dining, halal grocery, jewelry, apparel and electronics retailing, and entertainment.[8][9][10][11] Many come to the area for its traditional gold and Maharashtrian jewelry retailers.[5] Indian-American supermarket chain Patel Brothers has a location on the strip.[12]

Little India is located in Central Jersey in Middlesex County, the U.S. county with the highest concentration of Indian Americans.[13][14][15] This zone is the largest and most diverse South Asian ethnic enclave and cultural hub in the United States.[16][17] 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.[18]

Over 145 Indian restaurants alone are found in the neighborhood.[19][20] Establishments have appeared on food critics' "best of South Asian cuisine" national and regional lists.[21][22][23] The district, which lies nears the sprawling Chinatown, Edison,[4] is also known in particular as a destination for Indo-Chinese cuisine.[24]

The area is served by Metropark Station, providing a one-seat commuter rail connection to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.

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.[25]

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.[26][27]

History[edit]

1777 map of the area where the Oak Tree Engagement took place. The greater battle occurred overall at points between "Metuchin" and Westfield. "Spanktown" is modern-day Rahway. Modern-day India Square in Iselin may be found here: 40°34′26″N 74°19′35″W / 40.57393°N 74.32642°W / 40.57393; -74.32642
A display of golu dolls in New Jersey for Navratri
Saravana Bhavan restaurant off Oak Tree Road in Edison

Oak Tree Road is named for a large oak tree which stood at a crossroads where a market was located during the Revolutionary War era.[28][29] This crossroads and surrounding area was the site of the Oak Tree Engagement during the Battle of Short Hills.[30][28][31] It was a relatively rural area in the early to mid 20th century.[32][33][34]

In the early 1990s, prior to the arrival of significant Indian investment, Oak Tree Road was a down-on-its-luck strip of biker bars and abandoned buildings.[17] Some late-1980s-era economic pioneers to the then-rundown strip experienced racism from the locals, which largely subsided by the early 1990s.[5] The first Navratri festival in the state of New Jersey was held in the area in 1991.[35] 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.[5]

By 2022, the Indian population was approaching one-third of the population of Monroe Township in southern Middlesex County, and the nickname Edison-South had developed, in reference to the Little India stature of both townships in Middlesex County.[36]

Festivals and events[edit]

Depiction of the Hindu god Ganesha

A blend of South Asian religious festivals and cultural events are held in the Little India district in Edison and Iselin, each featuring a melting pot of visitors and celebrants of all religions and backgrounds.[37]

Events include:

  • India Day Parade. The annual New Jersey India Day Parade, hosted by the Indian Business Association,[38] is held every August on Oak Tree Road to celebrate Indian Independence Day.[39][40][41] Celebrants such as Governor Phil Murphy start in Edison and march eastbound towards Iselin, finishing the parade at India Square in Iselin.
  • Ganesh Utsav. Every year the weeklong festival honoring the Hindu deity Ganesha draws thousands of celebrants to nearby Woodbridge Mall.[42]
  • Diwali. Celebrations for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, are held annually on Oak Tree Road and surroundings.[43]
  • Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, is also celebrated with the use of color and dancing at events on Oak Tree Road.[43]
  • 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.[43]
  • Christmas. The Indian Business Association sponsors a Christmas tree lighting and celebratory festival with Santa Claus annually.[5][44]
  • 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.[45][46][47][48]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Middlesex County 604 straight line diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  2. ↑ NJ.com, Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for (November 28, 2021). "The 50 best reasons to live in New Jersey". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ Hanley, Robert (April 17, 1991). "In Edison, a Crossroads of Diversity". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Shaftel, David (March 9, 2017). "Indo-Chinese Food Is Hard to Find, Except in New Jersey". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Little India Thrives in Central New Jersey". Dow Jones Newswires. September 25, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Day Trip: Edison and Iselin, New Jersey for South Asian flavors | Brooklyn Based". brooklynbased.com. January 26, 2012.
  7. ↑ NJ.com, Vicki Hyman | NJ Advance Media for (June 26, 2017). "The 49 N.J. restaurants you need to eat at before you die". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ "Oak Tree Road Edison, Iselin NJ Indian Shopping, Food, Restaurants".
  9. ↑ "A One-Day Snacker's Guide to Edison, NJ, One of America's Best Indian Food Destinations". SAVEUR. March 18, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  10. ↑ Berger, Joseph (April 27, 2008). "A Place Where Indians, Now New Jerseyans, Thrive". The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Edison Brimming with Indian Culture - Video". Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  12. ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/new-generation-of-gujaratis-take-political-guard-on-american-pitch [dead link]
  13. ↑ Genovese, Peter (November 16, 2012). "Big business in Little India: Commerce flourishes in vibrant ethnic neighborhood". nj.com.
  14. ↑ "Eat Street: Oak Tree Road, Iselin, N.J." SAVEUR. March 31, 2011.
  15. ↑ Lawlor, Julia (April 21, 2002). "If You're Thinking of Living In/Iselin, N.J.; Curry and Saris Spice a 'Typical' Suburb". The New York Times.
  16. ↑ King, Kate (September 25, 2017). "'Little India' Thrives in Central New Jersey". Wall Street Journal – via www.wsj.com.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Burke, Monte. "How Indo-Americans Created The Ultimate Neighborhood Bank". Forbes.
  18. ↑ [1] Archived 2020-02-13 at Archive.today Accessed April 28, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Oak Tree Road is a Street of Dreams for Lovers of South Asian Cuisine". New Jersey Monthly. May 1, 2017.
  20. ↑ Sietsema, Robert (March 13, 2017). "The Best Indian Food In New York Is Actually in New Jersey". Eater NY.
  21. ↑ "America's 25 Best Indian Restaurants". The Daily Meal. August 24, 2018. (listing Dimple’s BombayTalk in Iselin and Shalimar in Iselin among America's top 25 Indian Restaurants)
  22. ↑ Sietsema, Robert (September 29, 2021). "Where to Find the Best Regional Indian Cooking in NY and NJ". Eater NY.(listing Moghul Express in Edison; Dosa Express in Iselin; Chowpatty in Iselin)
  23. ↑ Gordinier, Jeff (July 30, 2013). "Across the Hudson, Closer to India". The New York Times.
  24. ↑ Shaftel, David (March 9, 2017). "Indo-Chinese Food Is Hard to Find, Except in New Jersey". The New York Times.
  25. ↑ Staff Writer. "75th birthday of Viswayogi Maharaj celebrated at Shirdi Sai Cultural Center in New Jersey | News India Times".
  26. ↑ Parody of ‘Old Town Road’ celebrates Edison’s South Asian culture http://nj1015.com/parody-of-old-town-road-celebrates-edisons-south-asian-culture/?trackback=twitter_mobile @nj1015
  27. ↑ "'Gonna head on down to Oak Tree Road' – Lil Nas X parody pays homage to NJ's South Asian community". newjersey.news12.com.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "The Oak Tree Neighborhood Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
  29. ↑ "Historians shed light on site of 1777 battle | em.gmnews.com | Edison/Metuchen Sentinel". September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Edison, New Jersey Revolutionary War Sites | Edison Historic Sites". www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com.
  31. ↑ "The Oak Tree Engagement and the Battle of the Short Hills Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
  32. ↑ "9781434309709: Then and Now of Iselin - AbeBooks - Miele, John: 1434309703". www.abebooks.com.
  33. ↑ Onder, J. P., Miele, J. T. (2007). Then and Now of Iselin. United States: AuthorHouse.
  34. ↑ Onder, J. P., Miele, J. T. (2011). Then and Now of Iselin - Volume 2. United Kingdom: AuthorHouse.
  35. ↑ NJ.com, Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for (November 16, 2012). "Big business in Little India: Commerce flourishes in vibrant ethnic neighborhood". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ↑ [2] Accessed May 25, 2022.
  37. ↑ "South Asian Community Outreach Organizing 10th Annual Interfaith Holiday Celebration". Insider NJ. December 13, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Indian Business Association Members Go to D.C. Ahead of Annual Parade in Edison". Insider NJ. July 17, 2018.
  39. ↑ Staff Writer. "Anupam Kher parades down Oak Tree Road - News India Times".
  40. ↑ Louie, Elaine (July 13, 1994). "A Taste of India Via New Jersey". The New York Times.
  41. ↑ "The Indian Restaurant I'm Drawn to Like a Magnet". Bon Appétit. June 6, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Thousands Celebrate Ganesh Utsav At The Woodbridge Mall". TAPinto.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 "Little India in Edison NJ: Best Restaurants and Things to Do". September 15, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Local Business Group Hosts Annual Christmas Spectacular For All Residents". TAPinto.
  45. ↑ Kannapell, Andrea (October 19, 1997). "IN PERSON; The Festival Man". The New York Times.
  46. ↑ "Pradip "Peter" Kothari Endorses Mahesh Bhagia for Mayor, McCann, Peng, Patel For Council". Insider NJ. March 3, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Vibrant Navratri 2021 @ Expo Hall, Edison, NJ".
  48. ↑ "Vibrant Navratri 2021 Gathers Indian-American Community - Edison Expo Hall - New Jersey" – via www.youtube.com.

Template:Edison, New Jersey

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