Indian Representative, Mr. Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav, Stars in 2025 Taichung Hotpot & Grill Festival Video — Showing the charm of Indian culture with yoga

The 2025 Taichung Hotpot & Grill Festival is set to launch with great excitement on July 14. Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen has specially invited Mr. Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav, Director General of India-Taipei Association, to take part in the festival’s promotional video. Throughout the shoot, Mr. Yadav exuded warmth and friendliness, even stepping into the role of a yoga practitioner to infuse the video with vibrant elements of Indian culture and spirituality.

Mr. Yadav previously visited Taichung in April 2025, affirming the India-Taipei Association’s commitment to promoting Indian culture in Taiwan. He expressed hope that Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights symbolizing hope and blessings, could be celebrated in Taichung in the near future, allowing more citizens to experience the vibrancy of Indian traditions firsthand.

Chang Feng-Yuan, Director General of the Economic Development Bureau, noted that the Taichung Hotpot & Grill Festival—now in its third year—continues to innovate and expand. The inclusion of Mr. Yadav in the promotional video aims to deepen the public’s appreciation of Indian culture and further enhance the festival's international presence.

A passionate advocate for Indian cuisine and heritage, Mr. Yadav highlighted the important role of eating together in Indian families. Ahead of the shoot, he personally recommended two key filming locations: a vegetarian restaurant in central Taichung known for its homestyle Indian flavors, and a popular Indian chain restaurant offering authentic cuisine from both northern and southern India giving Taichung citizens a glimpse of the wide variety of Indian cuisine.

On the day of the shoot, Mr. Yadav specially prepared multiple sets of traditional Indian attire, changing outfits according to each filming scene — including a yoga outfit. Since yoga originated in India, a yoga studio was chosen as one of the key filming locations for this video. Wearing traditional Indian yoga wear, Mr. Yadav demonstrated a series of classic poses. His posture, expression, and movements were all executed with precision, fully embodying the cultural essence of India’s philosophy of self-cultivation and inner balance.

Yoga is deeply intertwined with Ayurveda, India’s traditional system of medicine. Ayurveda is an ancient science of life and wellness, considering that food as essential medicine for the body. The Indian cuisine presented in the video reflects this profound Ayurvedic wisdom.

In another meaningful segment, Mr. Yadav visited a Ganesha temple to perform a heartfelt prayer ritual. In Hinduism, Ganesha symbolizes wisdom, strength, and the removal of obstacles, and is widely revered during major festivals. Holding incense and pressing his palms together, he prayed sincerely—reflecting his deep respect for Indian spiritual traditions and cultural continuity.

In the video, Mr. Yadav warmly invited Mayor Lu to sit together on a traditional Indian swing inside the restaurant — a warm and touching scene that symbolizes the Indian custom of inviting friends to sit together in the Jhoola (swing) as a gesture of warmth and friendship. This perfectly reflects the theme of the event, making the Taichung Hotpot & Grill Festival not only a culinary celebration but also an occasion rich in cultural warmth and hospitality.

On the same day, Mayor Lu also personally experienced the traditional Indian art of Henna, which carries the meaning of blessings and good wishes for the future, embodying mutual respect and friendship through cultural exchange. We sincerely invite everyone to download the “Taichung Pass (TCPASS)” app or visit the Economic Development Bureau’s website to watch the special video Taichung Hotpot & Grill Festival – India Edition.

It’s worth noting that after viewing the finished video, Mr. Yadav was very pleased and sincerely remarked that Taichung has such a rich variety of Indian cuisine and cultural themes that making just one short film isn’t enough — he even suggested that Taichung could be an ideal location for filming an Indian movie!

The 2025 Taichung Hotpot & Grill Festival is here! This year introduces a new “Vegetarian Category.” From July 14 to August 14, vote for your favorite spots via the Taichung Pass (TCPASS) app for a chance to win NT$10,000 vouchers, a car, and round-trip tickets to India. Gather your friends and join the fun!

Advertorial by Economic Development Bureau, Taichung City Government.