Want to travel to India? Hop on to the subway and for the price of a metrocard, you’ll get a sampling in JacksonHeights, Queens.
Like a teeming, magical souk from the Arabian nights tales, it has everything from precious stones to rich silks to aromatic spices. If you’re craving for a paan or a kesar kulfi – and you’re a continent away from India, this is the place you’ll find it.If you’re looking for an ornate bridal lengha or a traditional gold wedding necklace in the heart of New York, well, have no fear – Jackson Heights is near!
Fondly nicknamed Jaikishan Heights, this gritty Little India has been the salvation of new immigrants for decades, bringing them a sweet piece of their lost homeland. It is here that they find the remembered tastes and sounds that make them feel whole again.
Photos © Lavina Melwani
See related article: Jai Ram, its Jaikishan Heights
