Wednesday 12 / August / 2026
Communities across Wales will join millions around the world on 15 August to mark the 80th anniversary of India’s Independence Day, celebrating the country’s independence in 1947 and the rich heritage of Indian communities overseas.
The celebrations will feature flag-raising ceremonies, national anthems, cultural performances, music, dance and community gatherings, highlighting the longstanding contribution of the Indian community to Wales’s cultural, economic and social life.
The main celebration in Wales will be held at the India Centre in Cardiff on Saturday, 15 August. The event will begin with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by the Indian and Welsh national anthems, cultural performances by children and a community dinner.
The India Centre is the oldest and largest Indian community centre in Wales, hosting more than 100 cultural, spiritual and community events each year. It is also home to the only resident Hindu priest in Wales.
The centre’s annual Diwali Mela, organised in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru at St Fagans National Museum of History, attracts more than 4,000 visitors annually.
The 80th anniversary celebrations provide an opportunity to recognise the achievements and contributions of Indian communities across Wales while highlighting the enduring friendship and growing relationship between Wales and India.
