Indian Community • New Jersey
Gujarati Community in New Jersey
40,000+ Gujarati speakers • Gujarati on election ballots • BAPS Akshardham: largest Hindu temple in the Western Hemisphere
New Jersey is the Gujarati capital of America. Edison is 34.9% Asian Indian (ACS 2022) — the highest percentage of any US municipality — and Gujarati appears on official election ballots in Middlesex County. From Oak Tree Road’s 400+ South Asian businesses to BAPS Akshardham in Robbinsville (the largest Hindu temple in the Western Hemisphere), this is where Gujarati language, food, faith, and business have built something that exists nowhere else outside Gujarat.
Last updated: March 2026 • Full Indian Community guide for New Jersey →
Why Gujarati Families Choose New Jersey
Gujarati settlement in New Jersey dates to the 1960s and 1970s, when the first wave of immigrants — many from the Patel (Patidar) community — arrived and began building what would become America’s most concentrated Gujarati community. They came for proximity to New York City, affordable suburban housing, and the entrepreneurial opportunities that would define the community’s identity.
Today, the numbers are staggering. Edison is 34.9% Asian Indian (ACS 2022) (2020 Census) — the highest percentage of any municipality in the United States. Iselin (Woodbridge Township) is 42.6% Asian Indian (ACS 2022), the highest for any census-designated place in the country. Middlesex County prints election ballots in English, Spanish, Gujarati, Hindi, and Punjabi — a reflection of how deeply Gujarati has become embedded in the civic fabric.
What makes NJ uniquely Gujarati — rather than generically Indian — is the infrastructure. Six Swaminarayan mandirs (including the $150+ million BAPS Akshardham on 183 acres in Robbinsville), Pushtimarg havelis, Jain tirthas, Kathiyawadi restaurants, Gujarati thali houses, and a Navratri/Garba scene that is the undisputed powerhouse of the East Coast. Add the Gujarati business empire — Indian Americans own 40% of all US hotels, with 70% of those owned by Patels — and you have a community that is both culturally rooted and economically dominant.
Where Gujarati Families Live in New Jersey
New Jersey has over 200,000 Indian language speakers, but “Indian” is not one community. Census language data reveals that Gujarati families dominate a continuous corridor from Piscataway through Edison to Iselin, while other areas are predominantly Hindi, Telugu, or Tamil. Here is where Gujarati speakers actually live, based on U.S. Census American Community Survey PUMA data.
Piscataway & South Plainfield — NJ’s Gujarati Capital (8,399 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022))
This is the single largest concentration of Gujarati speakers in New Jersey — 8,399 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022), representing 36% of all Indian language speakers in this area. Gujarati outnumbers Hindi (4,216) by more than 2 to 1. The Jain Center of New Jersey (9.6 acres, 44,000 sq ft) anchors the community in nearby Franklin Township. Strong Marathi/Nepali presence (1,964) suggests a growing Marathi professional community alongside the established Gujarati base. Median household income runs high with significant homeownership.
South Edison & Metuchen — Oak Tree Road (6,527 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022))
The cultural and commercial heart of Gujarati New Jersey. Gujarati leads all Indian languages here at 6,527 speakers, ahead of Hindi (4,873) and Telugu (4,240). This is the Oak Tree Road corridor — a 1.5-mile stretch through Edison and Iselin with 400+ South Asian businesses, 145+ Indian restaurants, and the Gujarati vegetarian restaurants, sweet shops, and jewelry stores that define the street’s character. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Edison (consecrated 1996, rebuilt 2019) is located here. This PUMA is the most linguistically balanced Indian area in NJ, with strong representation from every sub-community.
Iselin & Woodbridge — Gujarati + Punjabi Country (5,878 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022))
Gujarati dominates with 5,878 speakers, but this area has an unexpected twist: 3,929 Punjabi speakers (ACS 2022) — by far the largest Punjabi/Sikh concentration in all of New Jersey. The Iselin end of Oak Tree Road draws both Gujarati and Punjabi communities. ISSO Swaminarayan Mandir in Colonia (inaugurated 2005, the only temple outside India with twin Nar Narayan deities) anchors the Gujarati religious life here. Sukhadia’s, the iconic Gujarati sweets and mithai institution, is on this stretch.
Franklin Township & Hillsborough (4,475 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022))
Gujarati leads again (4,475), followed by Hindi (3,517) and Telugu (2,010). This is where the Jain Center of New Jersey is located — 9.6 acres with a 44,000 sq ft main hall, housing both Digambar and Shwetambar mandirs, with a Pathshala (religious school) of 300+ students and 40+ teachers. Vedic Vidyalay in Hillsborough offers weekend Gujarati classes. This area attracts Gujarati families seeking more space and top-rated schools while staying connected to the Edison-Piscataway Gujarati corridor.
Plainsboro & South Brunswick (4,623 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022))
This is NJ’s most linguistically diverse Indian area. Hindi leads (7,351), Telugu is massive (6,316), Tamil is strong (4,645), and Gujarati is fourth (4,623). The Plainsboro-South Brunswick corridor is the South Indian tech hub of NJ, driven by pharma and IT employment near Princeton. Gujarati families here live alongside large Telugu and Tamil communities — a different feel from the more Gujarati-dominant Piscataway-Edison corridor to the north.
Parsippany & Hanover (4,303 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022))
Gujarati leads in this Morris County hub (4,303), but Tamil (2,230) and Telugu (2,093) are strong competitors. Parsippany is the Swaminarayan temple corridor of North Jersey — home to both BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and ISSO Swaminarayan Mandir, plus Vrajdham Vaishnav Temple (Pushtimarg tradition with Gujarati language courses and dance classes). This area attracts Gujarati families working in the Morris County pharmaceutical and tech corridor.
Jersey City — India Square / “Little Gujarat” (3,564 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022))
Jersey City’s India Square on Newark Avenue is sometimes called “Little Gujarat” for a reason — it has the highest concentration of Asian Indians in the Western Hemisphere, with a particularly high Gujarati population. Hindi dominates overall (13,501), but the 3,564 Gujarati speakers (ACS 2022) have an outsized cultural footprint. This is ground zero for NJ’s street Navratri — 15,000+ people playing Garba-Raas on Newark Avenue until 3 AM for four to six consecutive nights. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in nearby North Bergen serves this community.
Where Gujarati Is NOT the Dominant Community
Not all “Indian” areas in NJ are Gujarati. West Windsor and Princeton (Mercer County) are Hindi + Telugu dominant — the tech/pharma professional corridor where Gujarati is only 1,120 speakers. Livingston (Essex County) is a Hindi-dominant North Indian suburb (2,267 Hindi vs 445 Gujarati). Bergenfield/Paramus in Bergen County has a strong Keralite (Malayalam) community (1,761 speakers (ACS 2022)) that outnumbers Gujarati (1,648). If you are Gujarati and choosing a suburb, the Piscataway–Edison–Iselin corridor along Route 1 is where your community is strongest.
Gujarati Organizations in New Jersey
NJ has a well-organized network of Gujarati cultural associations, business organizations, and community groups that serve the tri-state area.
Gujarati Samaj of Tri-State (GST)
Founded 1998 • 501(c)(3) non-profit • gstnj.org
Serving the NJ/NY/CT tri-state Gujarati community with cultural programs, educational seminars, community picnics, and stage performances for youth. Founded by 12 board members and their families to preserve Gujarati culture and traditions in the diaspora.
Gujarati Samaj of New York (GSNY)
One of the largest Gujarati cultural organizations in the USA with thousands of members, serving the broader NY/NJ metro area. Hosts health fairs, cultural events, and community celebrations. gsny.us
Indian Business Association (IBA)
The IBA manages the Oak Tree Road commercial corridor and organizes the annual NJ India Day Parade every August — 45,000+ attendees, 100+ organizations, with the parade running from Edison to Iselin. Features floats representing Indian states, Bhangra, classical dance, and live music. Also organizes the Oak Tree Road Christmas Tree Lighting festival. ibausa.org
India Square Organization (Jersey City)
Manages cultural events on Newark Avenue in Jersey City, including the massive Navratri Utsav that draws 15,000+ people for street Garba. indiasquare.org
AAHOA — Asian American Hotel Owners Association
Founded 1989 • 36,000+ hotel members • 1.1 million+ employees • aahoa.com
Indian Americans — predominantly Gujarati Patels — own 40% of all US hotels and motels (~20,000 properties), and 70% of Indian-American-owned motels are Patel-owned. This Gujarati business empire started with budget motels and now encompasses properties across every franchise brand. NJ-based members include M.Z. (Mahendra) Patel, who owns ~20 hotel franchises. AAHOA represents members whose properties contribute over 1.5% to US GDP.
Gujarati Temples & Religious Centers
New Jersey has the densest concentration of distinctly Gujarati religious institutions anywhere outside of Gujarat. Six Swaminarayan mandirs from multiple denominations, Pushtimarg havelis, Jain tirthas, and Vaishnav temples — this diversity of Gujarati worship traditions is unique in America.
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham — Robbinsville
112 N Main Street, Robbinsville, NJ 08561 • (609) 918-1212 • usa.akshardham.org
The largest Hindu temple in the Western Hemisphere and second-largest in the world. Inaugurated October 8, 2023, after 12 years of construction. The numbers defy belief: 183+ acres, 1.9 million cubic feet of hand-carved stone, 191 feet tall, 13 shrines. Limestone from Bulgaria, marble from Italy, sandstone from India, granite from China — all hand-carved by 2,000 artisans in Pindwara, Rajasthan. 12,500 volunteers contributed 5 million man-hours. Estimated cost: $150+ million. The campus includes the main Akshardham and a smaller Carrara marble mandir (completed 2014). Open daily except Tuesday, 9 AM – 7:30 PM. Plan 2–2.5 hours for a visit.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir — Edison
2500 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08817 • (732) 572-1234 • baps.org/Edison
The first BAPS mandir consecrated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in August 1996. Rebuilt on the same property and re-inaugurated in 2019. Serves the Edison-Piscataway Gujarati corridor. Daily hours 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Additional BAPS mandirs in Parsippany, North Bergen (serving Jersey City), and Cherry Hill.
ISSO Swaminarayan Mandir — Colonia
220 Temple Way, Colonia, NJ 07067 • issosnj.org
Inaugurated September 4, 2005. This is the only Swaminarayan temple outside India with twin Nar Narayan deities as central murtis, and one of the first in the US to have shikhars (domes). Represents the ISSO (Kalupur-Ahmedabad/Nar Narayan Dev Gadi) lineage, distinct from BAPS. A second ISSO mandir operates in Parsippany (1699 Route 46 East).
Pushtimarg & Vaishnav Temples
The Pushtimarg (Vallabhacharya) tradition is distinctly Gujarati and NJ has two important havelis:
- Dwarkadhish Temple (Shreenathji Haveli) — 717 Washington Road, Parlin, NJ 08859. Established November 12, 1994, with a procession from Brooklyn to Parlin. Summer hours: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM & 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. dwarkadhishtemple.org
- Vrajdham Vaishnav Temple & Community Center — 120 Littleton Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Offers Gujarati language courses, Gujarati dancing classes, and meditation classes. Daily 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM. vrajdhamnj.org
Additional Swaminarayan mandirs: SMVS (Vasna Sanstha) Edison (120 Pleasant Avenue) and Shree Swaminarayan Temple Secaucus (Maninagar Gadi lineage). Six Swaminarayan denominations represented in one state — a density unmatched anywhere outside India.
Jain Temples & Pilgrimage
Jains are predominantly Gujarati and Rajasthani, and NJ has the strongest Jain infrastructure in America:
- Jain Center of New Jersey (JCNJ) — 111 Cedar Grove Lane, Franklin Township. 9.6 acres with a 44,000 sq ft main hall over two floors. Houses both Digambar and Shwetambar mandirs. Pathshala with 300+ students (Pre-K to 12th grade) and 40+ teachers. Community formed in 1978 after a visit by Pujya Gurudeva Chitrabhanu. Major celebrations: Paryushan, Mahavir Jayanti, Diwali. jaincenternj.org
- Siddhachalam — Blairstown — 111 Hope Road, Blairstown, NJ. The first Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage) outside of India and the only Jain monastery outside India. Founded 1983 by Acharya Sushil Kumar. 120 acres of hilly terrain with temples, a monastery, library, meditation trails, and lake. In 2012, became the site of the world’s first full-scale replication of Shikharji (the most important Jain pilgrimage). siddhachalam.org
- Jain Center of Essex Fells — 233 Runnymede Road, Essex Fells. Property purchased in 1981, Pratistha performed in 1982 — one of the oldest Jain temple properties in NJ.
Navratri & Garba — The Defining Gujarati Festival
If there is one event that defines Gujarati cultural identity, it is Navratri — nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas. New Jersey is the undisputed Garba powerhouse of the East Coast, with events ranging from 15,000-person street celebrations to multi-night arena spectacles featuring top artists flown in from Gujarat.
Jersey City Street Garba — 15,000+ People
The largest outdoor Navratri celebration in NJ. 15,000+ people play Garba-Raas on Newark Avenue in the India Square neighborhood for 4–6 consecutive nights, with the street closed until 3 AM. Women in traditional chaniya choli and men in kurta pajamas dancing through the night — “just the way it is in India.” Organized by the India Square Organization.
Edison Convention Center Garba
The NJ Convention and Exposition Center (97 Sunfield Ave, Edison) hosts multi-night indoor Garba events from 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM. Organized by A2Z Entertainment and billed as “New Jersey’s Biggest Navratri Event,” these events regularly bring top Gujarati folk and Garba singers from India — Kirtidan Gadhvi, Aditya Gadhvi, Aishwarya Majmudar, and Krishna Chauhan are recurring headliners. navratriedison.com
Other Gujarati Festivals
- Uttarayan / Makar Sankranti (January) — The Gujarati kite-flying festival, celebrated at BAPS temples, community halls, and family gatherings across NJ.
- Janmashtami (August/September) — Celebrated at all Swaminarayan temples and Pushtimarg havelis. BAPS Robbinsville and Edison host large celebrations. Dwarkadhish Temple (Parlin) and Vrajdham (Parsippany) have special darshan and cultural events.
- India Day Parade (August) — 45,000+ people on Oak Tree Road, organized by IBA. While pan-Indian, the parade reflects the Gujarati character of Edison and Iselin with floats, Garba, and cultural performances.
- Diwali — Major celebrations at all temples. Gujarati Samaj organizations host Diwali events. Oak Tree Road lights up for the Diwali season.
Gujarati Food & Oak Tree Road
Oak Tree Road is pan-Indian, but its Gujarati vegetarian restaurants, thali houses, Kathiyawadi joints, and mithai shops define its character. This is where Gujarati food culture — unlimited thalis, dhokla, khaman, fafda, jalebi — thrives in America.
Gujarati Thali Restaurants
- Gordhan Thal — 1655 Oak Tree Rd, Edison. Authentic unlimited Gujarati thali with ~15–16 varieties, ~$25. The real deal: you sit down and they keep bringing dishes until you stop eating. gordhanthalusa.com
- Kesar’s — An Indian Thali — 1700 Oak Tree Rd, Ste 17, Edison. 100% vegetarian, specializing in Gujarati thali. (732) 716-7000. kesarusa.com
- Jhupdi Indian Restaurant — Oak Tree Road, Edison. Pure Gujarati vegetarian since 1999 — one of the longest-running Gujarati spots. Khaman Dhokla $3.99, Gujarati Thali $13.95. A mom-and-pop institution.
Kathiyawadi Restaurants
Kathiyawadi cuisine from the Saurashtra/Kathiawad region of Gujarat is a distinct tradition — and NJ has multiple restaurants specializing in it:
- Rajdhani Restaurant (King of Kathiyawadi) — 1667 Oak Tree Rd, Edison. Kathiyawadi vegetarian thali with Gujarati/Punjabi options. (908) 222-9799.
- Kathiyawadi Kitchen II — 1900 Oak Tree Rd, Edison. Gujarati Kathiyawadi thalis, farsan, and specialties. kathiyawadikitchen.com
Gujarati Sweets & Grocery
- Sukhadia’s Fresh Kitchen & Indian Bistro — 1507 Oak Tree Rd, Iselin. The iconic Gujarati mithai institution. Famous for jalebi, coconut barfi, cashew katri, and carrot halwa. Also handles Indian wedding catering and traditional gift packages. sukhadia.com
- Patel Brothers — 1681 Oak Tree Rd, Edison (and a second location in Iselin). Founded by Gujarati Patel brothers — now the largest Indian grocery chain in the US. Everything from Sona Masoori rice to fresh curry leaves to Gujarati snacks (fafda, thepla, gathiya).
- Subzi Mandi — 1518 Oak Tree Rd, Iselin. thesubzimandi.com
- Apna Bazar Cash & Carry — 1700 Oak Tree Rd, Edison. apnabazarnj.com
Gujarati Jewelry
Gujarat (especially Surat) cuts and polishes 90%+ of the world’s diamonds, and that expertise has followed the community to NJ. Maaya Fine Jewels (1315 Oak Tree Road, Iselin) is a family from Palanpur, Gujarat with 8 decades in the diamond business, specializing in 18KT and 22KT gold. Suhag Jewelers (Iselin) offers 22kt gold and custom-designed diamond jewelry. Oak Tree Road is a center for Indian jewelry retail.
Jersey City — India Square
Don’t overlook Jersey City’s Newark Avenue, sometimes called “Little Gujarat.” Vatan Indian Restaurant (808 Newark Ave) specializes in Gujarati and Kathiyavadi cuisine since 2009. The stretch is lined with grocery stores, clothing stores, and electronics vendors. While Oak Tree Road is the commercial powerhouse, India Square is the street-life capital — especially during Navratri.
Gujarati Language & Education
Multiple weekend and evening Gujarati language schools operate across NJ, most run by volunteers and charging minimal fees. These keep the language alive in the second and third generation.
- Sanskriti School — Livingston — Sunday mornings 9:55 AM – 12:00 PM. Teaches Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati. Also offers art, dance, cooking, drama, and sports enrichment courses. All-volunteer. sanskritiofnj.org
- Vedic Vidyalay — Franklin Park & Hillsborough — Franklin Park: Gujarati 6:30–7:30 PM, Vedic Math/Art 7:30–8:30 PM. Hillsborough: 6:15–7:15 PM. Teaches 10+ Indian languages including Gujarati, Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi. Volunteer non-profit, very affordable. (732) 305-0509. vedicvidyalay.org
- Kulture Kool South Asian Cultural Center — 225 Highland Cross, Rutherford. 4 locations across North Jersey. Year-round Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil language immersion plus music and dance. 501(c)(3). (201) 933-6651. kulturekool.com
- Vrajdham Temple — Parsippany — Offers Gujarati language courses as part of temple programming, alongside Gujarati dancing classes. vrajdhamnj.org/courses
- Jain Center of NJ Pathshala — Franklin Township. 300+ students from Pre-K to 12th grade, with 40+ teachers. While focused on Jain religious education, the Pathshala reinforces Gujarati cultural identity through language and traditions.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2022 5-Year Estimates) • Community organization websites and direct verification • Local school district enrollment data • Zillow and Apartments.com (rent estimates) • Glassdoor and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (salary data) • Redfin (home price data). Community population estimates reflect available Census language data combined with organization-reported figures. Read our full research methodology →