NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
NEW YORK, May 2, 2026: In a spectacle that blended South Asian tradition with New York grandeur, an Indian-origin couple’s lavish wedding baraat temporarily shut down part of Manhattan’s iconic Fifth Avenue last week, drawing crowds, smartphone cameras, and widespread attention on social media.
The high-energy procession was part of a five-day wedding celebration hosted by Pankti Doshi and Avish Jain, a New York-based couple of Indian origin, whose festivities reportedly took place from April 21 to April 25 across several landmark Manhattan venues. The couple’s baraat — a traditional wedding procession typically led by the groom — featured live music, dhol drummers, dancing guests, and an open parade float carrying both bride and groom, putting a modern spin on the centuries-old custom.
Videos of the procession quickly went viral online, showing hundreds of guests in colorful Indian attire dancing along Fifth Avenue near Midtown. In a departure from tradition, both Doshi and Jain were seen performing live during the procession, singing Bollywood songs as the crowd cheered them on.
According to the New York Post, the couple secured an official parade permit months in advance, allowing the temporary street closure for the celebration. Approximately 400 guests participated in the procession, which moved through the Fifth Avenue and 51st Street area toward the Radio City Music Hall district.
The wedding itself reportedly included multiple events across Manhattan, including celebrations near Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, along with choreographed performances, cultural ceremonies, and live entertainment.
Online reactions to the viral videos were mixed, with many praising the joyful display of Indian culture in one of America’s most recognizable public spaces, while others questioned the scale and extravagance of such public celebrations.
Still, for many in the Indian diaspora, the baraat on Fifth Avenue represented something larger — a visible celebration of heritage, identity, and the growing cultural footprint of Indian Americans in the United States.
