Over 10,000 Celebrate the 28th Grand Dushahra Festival in Edison with Spectacular Ramleela, Ravan Dahan and Fireworks

Thousands of families gather at Lake Papaianni Park for a magnificent celebration of Indian heritage, cultural unity and the timeless triumph of good over evil

EDISON, NEW JERSEY | October 10, 2026
The skies over Edison came alive with dazzling fireworks, thunderous cheers and an atmosphere of celebration as more than 10,000 spectators gathered for the 28th Grand Dushahra Festival on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Lake Papaianni Park.

Organized by Indo-American Festivals, Inc. (IAF), the annual celebration brought together families, children, community leaders and visitors from across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and the surrounding Tri-State region for a spectacular showcase of Indian culture, traditions and community spirit

Held from 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM, the festival transformed Lake Papaianni Park into a vibrant Indian cultural fairground, featuring a magnificent two-hour Ramleela, three hours of colorful cultural performances, a bustling marketplace, traditional Indian cuisine, free community health services and the much-anticipated burning of a towering 20-foot effigy of Ravana, followed by a breathtaking fireworks display.

The festival's enduring theme, "Victory of Good Over Evil," resonated throughout the celebration, reminding audiences of the timeless values of truth, righteousness, courage and compassion

A Spectacular Ramleela Captivates Thousands

One of the most memorable highlights of the evening was a spectacular two-hour theatrical presentation of the Ramleela, depicting the timeless epic of the Ramayana and the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.More than 75 talented artists, under the direction and choreography of Varsha Naik of Navrang Dance Academy, delivered a mesmerizing performance that combined expressive acting, graceful choreography, colorful costumes, elaborate stage settings and captivating music

The artists had dedicated months of rehearsals and preparation throughout the year to bring this extraordinary production to life.As the epic unfolded on stage, thousands of spectators, including young children, remained deeply engrossed in the performance. The remarkable silence and attention of the audience reflected the emotional and cultural significance of the presentation.

For many children born and raised in the United States, the Ramleela offered a unique opportunity to experience the Ramayana not merely as a story, but as a living cultural tradition conveying enduring moral and spiritual values.The outstanding dedication of the entire Navrang Dance Academy team received tremendous appreciation from the audience and festival organizers.

A Grand Finale: 20-Foot Ravana Dahan and Spectacular Fireworks

The excitement reached its peak with the ceremonial burning of a magnificent 20-foot-tall effigy of Ravana, symbolizing the destruction of evil and the ultimate victory of righteousness.The towering effigy was a remarkable example of traditional craftsmanship, beautifully decorated with vibrant fabrics, an elaborate golden crown, ten imposing heads, and a large sword and shield.

As flames engulfed the giant figure, thousands of spectators watched in excitement, cheering and celebrating the symbolic triumph of good over evil.The dramatic Ravan Dahan was followed by a spectacular fireworks display that illuminated the night sky over Edison with brilliant colors, dazzling patterns and thunderous bursts.

Families and children enthusiastically watched the grand finale, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of joy and celebration.Hundreds of children could be seen carrying colorful illuminated toys and enjoying the festive marketplace with their families, adding to the lively spiritof the traditional Dushahra Mela

Over 250 Performers Showcase India's Cultural Diversity

The festival also featured nearly three hours of nonstop cultural entertainment, with more than 250 performers representing various dance academies and cultural organizations.

The entire cultural program was directed and coordinated by Pratibha Nichakawade, whose dedication, creative vision and meticulous planning brought together an impressive array of performances celebrating India's rich artistic traditions.Under her direction, participating dance schools presented a vibrant blend of classical, folk, Bollywood and contemporary dance performances, showcasing the remarkable diversity of Indian culture.

Dressed in colorful traditional costumes, performers of different ages delighted the audience with energetic choreography, expressive movements and beautifully coordinated group presentations.Pratibha Nichakawade's leadership and the enthusiastic participation of the dance schools played an important role in making the cultural program one of the festival's major attractions.

These performances also provided an invaluable platform for young artists todevelop confidence, creativity and a deeper connection with their cultural roots.

A Vibrant Marketplace with More Than 70 Vendor Stalls

Throughout the afternoon and evening, visitors explored a bustling DushahraMela featuring more than 70 vendor booths offering a wide variety of products and services.The marketplace featured traditional Indian clothing, exquisite jewelry, fashion accessories, decorative items, plants, Hindi-language books, and other merchandise reflecting the richness of Indian traditions.

Banking institutions, insurance companies, financial service providers and community organizations also participated, connecting with thousands of visitors and sharing information about their services.Food enthusiasts enjoyed a tempting selection of authentic Indian delicacies,traditional snacks, sweets and festive treats, bringing the flavors and aromasof an Indian marketplace to the heart of Edison.

The colorful vendor tents, enthusiastic shoppers, delicious food and festive music created a wonderful family-friendly atmosphere throughout the day.

.Free Medical Screenings and Flu Shots Benefit Hundreds

Beyond cultural entertainment, the festival demonstrated its commitment to community welfare through a free medical screening and health awareness camp organized by Agrawal Samaj of USA.Qualified physicians and healthcare professionals generously volunteered their time to provide medical consultations, health screenings and free flu vaccinations.

Hundreds of festival attendees benefited from these complimentary healthcare services, making the medical camp one of the event's most meaningful community initiatives.

The organizers expressed sincere appreciation to Agrawal Samaj of USA and the participating medical professionals for their valuable contribution to public health and community well-being.

Mayor Sam Joshi Inaugurates the Festival

The festival was formally inaugurated by Edison Township Mayor Sam Joshi, accompanied by Councilman Ajay Patil.Welcoming the gathering, Mayor Joshi recognized the significance of the Dushahra Festival as an established part of Edison's cultural landscape.

"The Dushahra Festival has become a tradition of Edison Township, and we are pleased to have this wonderful celebration here in Edison," Mayor Joshi remarked.The presence of township officials underscored Edison's continued commitment to cultural diversity, community engagement and the celebration of the many traditions represented within its population.

A special VIP reception brought together distinguished guests, elected officials, community leaders, sponsors and supporters, providing an opportunity to recognize those whose contributions have helped sustain the festival over the years

Continuing the Legacy of Late Shri Mangal Gupta

The Grand Dushahra Festival has a remarkable history dating back to 1999, when it was founded by the late Shri Mangal Gupta, whose vision was to establish a major public celebration of Indian heritage and traditions in New Jersey. What began as a community cultural initiative has grown into one of the Tri-State region's major annual Indian festivals, attracting thousands of families and visitors

The 2026 celebration marked the 28th Grand Dushahra Festival, continuing the legacy established by its founder and sustained through the dedication of volunteers, community organizations and generous supporters.For nearly three decades, Indo-American Festivals, Inc., a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization, has remained committed to preserving Indian culture,promoting community harmony and passing on traditional values to future generations.

Festival Leadership Emphasizes Unity, Heritage and Community Service

Chanchal Gupta, Chairperson of Indo-American Festivals, Inc., expressed heartfelt appreciation to Edison Township and its leadership.

"We are deeply grateful to Mayor Sam Joshi, Edison Township and the entire municipal administration for their continued support. For more than two decades, their cooperation has helped us bring this wonderful celebration to the community. Dushahra is much more than a festival. It brings people of different backgrounds, cultures and communities together, fostering harmony, friendship and a sense of oneness among all."

Raj Mittal, Vice Chairperson of IAF, emphasized the festival's importancein preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

"Our primary mission is to introduce our children and younger generations tothe richness of Indian culture, traditions and values. Through the Ramleela and the celebration of Dushahra, we want our children to understand the greatness of the Ramayana and the timeless message of the victory of good over evil. We hope to inspire them to cherish these traditions and carry this beautiful cultural legacy forward for generations to come."

Shiva Arya, President of IAF, highlighted the extraordinary dedication required to organize such a large community event.

"Our entire team works tirelessly throughout the year to bring this one-day celebration to life. Our greatest satisfaction comes from seeing thousands of families, especially young children, enjoying the festival and connecting with their cultural roots. Everything we do is driven by our commitment to servingthe community and keeping our traditions alive."

Dedicated Volunteers: The Driving Force Behind the Festival

Behind the colorful festivities and grand celebrations was an extraordinary team of more than 30 dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly for months to make this large-scale community event a success.From sponsorships, vendor registrations and cultural programming to logistics, municipal coordination, public safety, publicity and site operations, these volunteers contributed countless hours of selfless service.

Among the key volunteers and community members whose dedication and contributions helped make the festival possible were Dr. Ravindra Goyal and Damyanti Goyal, Shalini Chhabra, VishvJeet, Amit Gupta, Satya Arya, Piyush Baranwal, Abhinav Arya, Ritesh Maheshwari, Ashwini Kumar, Dr. Rajeev Mehta, Dolly Mittal, Sudha Sharma, Rajendra Prasad, and Dr. Om Sharma, Ravi Dhingra, along with many other devoted volunteers and supporters.

Their collective efforts, commitment and willingness to serve the community were instrumental in coordinating the numerous activities and operational requirements of this major festival.The organizers emphasized that the success of the Grand Dushahra Festival would not have been possible without the extraordinary teamwork, dedication and generosity of these individuals, their families and the many volunteers who worked quietly behind the scenes.

Special appreciation was also extended to the thousands of visitors who traveled from across the Tri-State region, many accompanied by children andelderly family members, to participate in the celebration.

Middlesex County, Edison Township and Sponsors Provide Vital Support

The festival's success was made possible through the generous support of Middlesex County, Edison Township, corporate sponsors, individual donors, participating vendors and community supporters

Middlesex County, New Jersey, provided grant funding in support of arts and cultural programming, helping promote cultural heritage, artistic expression and community participation.

The organizers also acknowledged the invaluable cooperation of Edison Township, including its provision of the park facilities and the assistance of police, fire and municipal personnel whose contributions were essential to the event's safe and successful operation.

Major sponsors and supporters included Suhag Jewelers, HindiUSA, New York Life, PNC Bank, Nandansons International, Dr. Samin Sharma, Vinod Madhok, Royal Albert’s Palace and numerous other businesses, individuals and organizations.

The organizers extended special thanks to media supporters, including Parikh Worldwide Media, ITV Gold, Radio Zindagi and EBC Radio, along with other media partners whose publicity and community outreach helped attract a large audience.

Their continued involvement reflects the strong partnership between nonprofit organizations, businesses, public institutions and the wider community.

A $90,000 Community Celebration Offered Free to the Public

Organizing a festival of this magnitude requires substantial financial resources, with the 2026 event budget estimated at approximately $90,000.

Despite the considerable expenses associated with artistic productions, event infrastructure, public safety, equipment, insurance, logistics and other services, Indo-American Festivals continued its longstanding commitment to offering the celebration with free admission and free parking.

This commitment is made possible through sponsorships, vendor participation, donations, volunteer contributions and community partnerships.By removing admission and parking costs, IAF seeks to ensure that families from all economic backgrounds can participate in and enjoy this important cultural celebration.

The organization believes that cultural heritage should be accessible to everyone and that such celebrations serve as valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships among communities.

A Celebration of Heritage, Harmony and Hope for Future Generations

As the evening concluded with spectacular fireworks lighting up the Edison skyline, the 28th Grand Dushahra Festival once again demonstrated the power of culture to bring people together.Beyond the colorful performances, bustling marketplace and dramatic Ravan Dahan, the festival delivered a timeless message of righteousness, unity andthe enduring victory of good over evil.

For thousands of families, the celebration was an opportunity to reconnect with cherished traditions, introduce children to India's rich cultural heritage and create lasting memories.For Indo-American Festivals, Inc., it was another successful chapter in a mission that began in 1999: preserving cultural traditions, strengthening community bonds and inspiring future generations tocarry forward the values and heritage of their ancestors.

The organizers expressed their deepest gratitude to Edison Township, Middlesex County, participating artists, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, mediapartners and the thousands of visitors whose enthusiastic participation madethe 28th Grand Dushahra Festival a memorable success.

About Indo-American Festivals, Inc. (IAF)

Founded in 1999, Indo-American Festivals, Inc. is a New Jersey-based, volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian cultural heritage, traditions and performing arts. Its flagship annual Grand Dushahra Festival brings together diverse communities through the Ramleela, cultural performances, traditional festivities and community service initiatives.

IAF is committed to promoting cultural understanding, encouraging intergenerational participation and keeping the traditions and values of Indian heritage alive for future generations.

For additional information, media inquiries or sponsorship opportunities:

Raj Mittal, Vice Chairperson 
Phone: 732-423-4619

Shiva Arya, President
Phone: 732-572-2675

Indo-American Festivals, Inc.
Website: www.Dushahra.com
Email: Dushahra.usa@gmail.com