Wall Street turns into dance floor as 400-person Indian baraat takes over Manhattan: ‘Money power’

A grand Indian wedding procession brought a slice of desi celebration to New York’s iconic Wall Street, captivating the internet with its vibrant display.

A video of a baraat (groom’s wedding procession) featuring nearly 400 people dancing on the streets of Lower Manhattan has gone viral on social media. Dressed in traditional Indian attire, the group was seen dancing joyously to DJ beats, temporarily transforming the heart of New York’s financial district into a full-blown Indian wedding scene.

“We shut down Wall Street for a 400-person baraat—who would’ve ever thought?!” wrote DJ AJ, who performed at the event. “A once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic,” he added.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DJ AJ (@djajmumbai)

The video shows the wedding party dancing with energy, with the bride and groom, dressed in a red lehenga and a beige sherwani, at the centre of it all. The backdrop of skyscrapers and the New York Stock Exchange adds a surreal touch to the scene.

Reactions to the now-viral clip have been varied. One Instagram user wrote, “When dude is done shattering glass ceilings at every party he plays, he now turns the Wall Street into a dance floor!” Another commented, “So wild! 450+ guests… never-ending baraat…. And you! Such a great time planning this.” A third added, “Never thought I would be hearing Empire State of Mind’s dhol version, that’s wild.” Others simply remarked, “Wow,” and “Insane.”

Indian weddings are known for their elaborate festivities, numerous guests, and vibrant celebrations. While long wedding processions are common in India, witnessing one on Wall Street—the financial spine of America—is a rarity.

The video, shared on social media, features a wedding procession dancing to Bollywood numbers, including “Bhootni Ke” from the film “Singh Is Kinng”. The viral clip has undoubtedly grabbed the attention of netizens—some hailing the “money power of the Indian diaspora and Indian culture,” while others were curious about how much it must have “cost to block off a section of Wall Street.”

The video evoked an array of reactions: “Ahh, this looks like sooo much fun!” one user wrote.

“Damn, now that’s a wedding,” commented another.

“If they took permission and paid for it, then we cannot complain. Enjoy the fun,” said a third.

A fifth added: “Money power of the Indian diaspora and showing Indian culture.”

Yes, it is indeed possible to temporarily close off streets in New York City for private events, including wedding processions. However, such closures require obtaining special event permits from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM), in coordination with other city agencies such as the NYPD and the Department of Transportation. These permits are typically granted for events that meet specific criteria and are planned well in advance.

The costs for such street closures can vary widely based on the location, duration, and scale of the event. While the CECM charges a non-refundable processing fee of $25 for permit applications, the overall expenses can be significantly higher when accounting for factors such as:

NYPD presence and coordination
Private security and crowd management
Event insurance
Logistics and equipment rentals

For high-profile areas like Wall Street or Broadway, the total cost for a street closure and associated services can range from $25,000 to $60,000 or more, depending on the specifics of the event.