Events
SIGNIFICANT DATES
APRIL 1: RAMANAVAMIAPRIL 5: MAHAVIR JAYANTI
APRIL 6: HANUMAN JAYANTI
APRIL 13: BAISAKHI
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
APRIL 1: RAM NAVAMI; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa; for information, call the temple at (813) 221-4482.
APRIL 1: RAMANAVAMI; Hindu Temple of Florida, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; cultural program from 2 p.m.; participation is free; for information, call the mandir at (813) 962-6890 or e-mail [email protected]
APRIL 5: HANUMAN JAYANTI; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa; for information, call the temple at (813) 221-4482.
APRIL 1: RAMNAVMI; Ambaji Mandir of Tampa Bay, 10991 58th St., Pinellas Park; 6 p.m.; for more information, call the mandir at (727) 537-9445.
APRIL 1: RAMNAUMI; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Shri Hanuman Swami Mandir, 907 E. Chilkoot Ave., Tampa, FL 33612; officiating priest is Pandit Purnanan Sharma and the temple established in June 2011 holds Sunday services from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; for information, e-mail [email protected]
APRIL 1: SHRI SWAMINARAYAN JAYANTI AND SHRI RAM NAVMI; cultural program to be performed by children and youth of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha; Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 9556 E. Fowler Ave., Thonotosassa; 4 p.m.; for information, call (813) 986-5473.
APRIL 6: HANUMAN JAYANTI; 7:30 p.m.; Shri Hanuman Swami Mandir, 907 E. Chilkoot Ave., Tampa, FL 33612; officiating priest is Pandit Purnanan Sharma and the temple established in June 2011 holds Sunday services from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; for information, e-mail [email protected]
APRIL 7: PUNJABI MELA; presented by the Punjabi Association; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; cocktail hour begins at 6:30 p.m.; entertainment by comedian Paul Singh; bhangra and giddha followed by dinner and dance; advance tickets are $50 or $100 for VIP ($60 at door); students are $35; for information, call (727) 512-7801 or visit www.punjabiassociationoftampa.com
APRIL 8: "Vishukkaineettam;” musical dance comedy show; Sacred Heart Knanaya Community Center, 2620 Washington Road, Valrico; 5:30 p.m.; $30 per person or $100 for family of five; for information, call Dr. Ravindra Nathan at (352) 799-3728 or Joby Thomas at (352) 683-4135.
APRIL 10: VOCAL CONCERT; presented by Swaradhana; Manjusha Patil Kulkarni will be accompanied by Rajiv Paranjpe on harmonium and Mayank Bedekar on tabla; 7 to 9:30 p.m.; Pebble Creek Community Center, 18715 Bent Tree Lane, Tampa; for tickets and more information, visit www.swaradhana.org
APRIL 14: BAYSIDE BHANGRA; 10 teams from all over the United States to compete; seating begins at 5 with show from 6 p.m.; Centro Asturiano, 11913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa; $25, $35, $50; for information, call Kuleen Shah at (813) 486-4129 or Hasneet Kaur at (813) 504-2470, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.baysidebhangra.com
APRIL 14-15: FIRST ANNIVERSARY TEMPLE CELEBRATION; organized by Sri Ayyappa Society of Tampa (SASTA); Sri Ayyappa Temple of Tampa, 6829 Maple Lane, Tampa; festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. on both days; to sponsor or for more information, call Dr. Radhakrishnan at (352) 457-5262, Ram Swaminathan at (813) 787-2264 or visit http://www.swamysharanam.org/
APRIL 15: ONE-YEAR MANDIR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS – PAATOTSAV; Ambaji Mandir of Tampa Bay, 10991 58th St., Pinellas Park; special puja for Navdurga at 5 p.m.; for more information, call the mandir at (727) 537-9445.
APRIL 18: ICC SENIORS GET-TO-GATHER; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free seminar, lunch and entertainment; no minimum age requirement; for information or ride, call John Adhia at (813) 784-1132 or Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.
APRIL 18: Monthly Business & Networking Meeting; organized by the INDO-US Chamber of Commerce; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; HCI Building, 5300 W. Cypress St., Tampa, FL 33607; free; dinner will be served and no RSVP required; for information, visit www.indo-us.org
APRIL 21: GARBA & RAAS; presented by Young Jains of America; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.; tickets for youth 22 years of age and younger are prepaid $8 or $10 at door; adults $10 prepaid or $12 at door (purchase online at www.yja.org); for information, call Chetan Shah at (727) 688-6149 or Kuleen Shah at (813) 486-4129.
APRIL 22: “TRISHNA: A BOLLYWOOD BALLET;” presented by Srishti Dance Academy to benefit Asraah – The Helping Hands (www.asraah.org); The Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel; 4:30 p.m.; $10; for information, call (813) 404-1862, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.srishtiacademy.com
APRIL 22: PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST FOR YOUTH; hosted by Pehchaan; contest is open to students in middle and high schools; 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Marshall Student Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., MSC 4100, Tampa; free admission; to register, call Nandini Bandyopadhyay at (813) 220-5794, Manjusha Naik at (813) 741-2788 or e-mail [email protected]
APRIL 28: 2nd ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF CHARIOT; Clearwater Beach; parade starts at 1 p.m. from Pier 60 Pavilion; cultural program and free vegetarian food at pavilion; for information, visit www.festivalofchariots.org or www.facebook.com/rathayatras
APRIL 28: BHAGAVAD Gita Chanting Competition; Chinmaya Prasad Ashram, 18708 Hanna Road, Lutz; 2 to 4 p.m.; to register, visit www.chinmayaprasad.org/gitachanting or call (813) 857-0134.
JUNE 2-10: RAM KATHA BY PUJYA MORARI BAPU; Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa; free; breakfast, lunch and dinner to be served; key sponsor is India Cultural Center; for information, call John Adhia at (813) 784-1132 or visit http://www.ramkathaflorida.org for updates.
BARTOW
APRIL 22: 4th ANNUAL PICNIC; presented by Charotar Patidar Samaj of Florida; 10 a.m. onward; Mary Holland Park, 2015 Shumate Drive, Bartow; food, drinks; free for all Patidars of Charotar; for information, call Kamal Patel at (863) 670-1045 or Jayesh Patel at (407) 460-2020.
ORLANDO/OAKLAND/WINTER SPRINGS
APRIL 1: SHRI RAM NAVAMI; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; for information, call (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
APRIL 1: SHRI RAM NAVMI; Shiv Mandir Orlando, 460 O’Berry Hoover Road, Orlando; aarti at noon; for information, call the mandir at (407) 380-2661, Dr. Praful Kirtane at (407) 774-9975, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.shivtemple.net
APRIL 4-6: HANUMAN JAYANTI; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Shree Hanuman Mandir, 3119 Lauressa Lane, Orlando; discourse by Pandit Chunelall Narine; for information, call Hari Singh at (407) 679-2226 or e-mail [email protected]
APRIL 6: HANUMAN JAYANTI; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 5 p.m. onward; chanting of Hanuman Chalisa 108 times; for information, call the temple at (407) 699-5277 or visit http://www.hindutempleorlando.org/
APRIL 6: SHRI HANUMAN JAYANTI; 8 p.m.; Shiv Mandir Orlando, 460 O’Berry Hoover Road, Orlando; aarti at noon; for information, call the mandir at (407) 380-2661, Dr. Praful Kirtane at (407) 774-9975, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.shivtemple.net
APRIL 8: HSCF NEW AGE GROUP MONTHLY GATHERING; 1:30 to 5 p.m.; Hindu Society of Central Florida Community Hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; antaakshri and several games such as bridge, carom board, chess, playing cards; to RSVP, e-mail [email protected]; for more information, call Madan Arora at (407) 971-9259 or Dev Sharma at (407) 862-9920.
APRIL 15: COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR; presented by Hindu Society of Central Florida and Central Florida Physicians of Indian Subcontinent; free admission and consultation; HSCF Community Hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; for information, call (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
APRIL 28: “TU CHE LAJAWAB;” Gujarati play starring Sarita Joshi, Shruti Gholap, Hemant Bhatt, Vikram Mehta; presented by Gujarati Society of Central Florida; 7 to 10 p.m.; Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; free to 2012 society members (free dinner from 6 to 7 p.m.); non-members will pay $30; for information, call (386) 479-3055 or (407) 398-2125.
MAY 6: PANEL DISCUSSION ON AUTISM-CAUSES AND EFFECTS; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, 11 a.m. joint program with Central Florida Association of Physicians from the Indian Subcontinent Inc. (CAPI); for information, call Shobana Daniell at (407) 782-2123.
MAY 6: 8th ANNUAL INDIAN BRIDAL EXPO; presented by DesiAim.com and Shaadimela.com; noon to 6 p.m.; The Florida Hotel & Conference Center, 1500 Sand Lake Road, Orlando; $5 entry fee; free parking; wedding planners, bands, DJs/Dhol, photographers, videographers, etc.; for vendor space, sponsorships, advertisements, call (954) 515-6785, (954) 649-3374, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.shaadimela.com
MAY 20: BUSINESS EXPO; organized by the Indian American Chamber of Commerce; noon to 4 p.m.; Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Drive, Orlando; to book a stall or for more information, call Neal Patel at (407) 616-8872.
OCALA/BELLEVIEW
APRIL 8: SATSANG AND RAMNAVMI; starts at 3 p.m. followed by prasad after 6; Pushtidham (Haveli of Florida), 14080 S.W. 20th Ave. Road, Ocala; for information, call Bharat at (973) 460-5936 or Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729.
APRIL 22: SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI’S PRAGATYADIN; 3 p.m. onward followed by prasad after 6; Pushtidham (Haveli of Florida), 14080 S.W. 20th Ave. Road, Ocala; for information, call Bharat at (973) 460-5936 or Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729.
FORT MYERS
APRIL 1: RAM NAVAMI; Hindu Temple of Southwest Florida, 12552 Plantation Road, Fort Myers; for details, call Mallika Nandur at (239) 482-0677, Anjana Bhatt at (239) 274-5584, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.hindutempleswfl.com
APRIL 5: MAHAVIR JAYANTI; celebrations start at 7 p.m. followed by Mahaprasadam; sponsored by Jain Organization of Fort Myers; Hindu Temple of Southwest Florida, 12552 Plantation Road, Fort Myers; for details, call Mallika Nandur at (239) 482-0677, Anjana Bhatt at (239) 274-5584, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.hindutempleswfl.com
APRIL 6: HANUMAN JAYANTI; recitation of Hanuman Chalisa 108 times starting at 10 a.m.; Hindu Temple of Southwest Florida, 12552 Plantation Road, Fort Myers; for details, call Mallika Nandur at (239) 482-0677, Anjana Bhatt at (239) 274-5584, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.hindutempleswfl.com
JACKSONVILLE
APRIL 1: RAM NAVAMI; 11 a.m.; Hindu Society of North East Florida, 4968 Greenland Road, Jacksonville; for information, call (904) 268-7630 or visit www.jaxhindutemple.org
APRIL 6: HANUMAN JAYANTI; 6 p.m.; Hindu Society of North East Florida, 4968 Greenland Road, Jacksonville; for information, call (904) 268-7630 or visit www.jaxhindutemple.org
APRIL 8: SHRI MAHAVIR JAYANTI; 10:30 a.m.; Hindu Society of North East Florida, 4968 Greenland Road, Jacksonville; for information, call (904) 268-7630 or visit www.jaxhindutemple.org
APRIL 13: BAISAKHI AND TAMIL NEW YEAR’S DAY; Hindu Society of North East Florida, 4968 Greenland Road, Jacksonville; for information, call (904) 268-7630 or visit www.jaxhindutemple.org
APRIL 20: “CHOCOLATE KRISHNA;” hilarious comedy play by Mohan Troupe; presented by Jacksonville Tamil Mandram; Atlantic Coast High School, 9735 R.G. Skinner Parkway, Jacksonville; 7 p.m.; $10 members, $20 non-members; children are free; for information, call Vijaya Mahesh at (905) 755 – 8922 or e-mail [email protected], Devi Ramesh at (904) 200 - 5641 or e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.jaxtamilmandram.org/
APRIL 26-29: GRAND INAUGURATION; New Sri Shirdi Sai Temple, 14965 Old St. Augustine Road, Suite 129, Jacksonville; for details, call (832) 863-3336, (904) 252-1568, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.shirdisaisociety.org
APRIL 29: PANKAJ UDHAR LIVE GHAZAL CONCERT; presented by Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville and Sajni Entertainment; 5 to 8 p.m.; Robinson Theater, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, S., Jacksonville; for tickets and more information, call Jignesh Kapadia at (904) 610-7406, Pradip Shah at (904) 629-1767 or visit http://www.jaxics.org/
MAY 13: MELODIOUS MUSICAL EVENING WITH YESUDAS; presented by the Hindu Society of North East Florida; Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville; 3 to 3:30 is social hour and program is from 3:30 to 7 p.m.; for information, call (904) 355-5661.
ST. AUGUSTINE
MAY 21-24: MADHURASHTAKAM; Chinmaya Mission St. Augustine ashram, 6175 Solano Creek Road, Elkton; evening talks by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; for information, e-mail [email protected]
PORT ST. LUCIE
MAY 19: MEDICAL CONFERENCE; presented by Treasure Coast Indo-American Physician Society (TIPS); Port St. Lucie Civic Center, 9221 S.E. Civic Center Place, Port St. Lucie; registration from 6 p.m.; for information, call TIPS President Humayun Shareef at (772) 708-6847 or e-mail [email protected]
SOUTH FLORIDA (SUNRISE/FORT LAUDERDALE/PEMBROKE PINES/BOCA RATON/MIAMI
APRIL 1: RAMA NAVAMI/HANUMAN JAYANTI; organized by Chinmaya Mission Miami during Bal Vihar Prayer Assembly; for information, visit www.cmmiami.org
APRIL 7: BALAFEST (GAME SHOW DAY); organized by Chinmaya Mission Miami; free; Boca Middle School, 251 N.W. Eighth St., Boca Raton; for information, visit www.cmmiami.org
APRIL 7: BOLLYWOOD/FUSION/CHUTNEY/REMIX/SOLO & DANCE GROUP COMPETITION; presented by Association of Asian Culture Festivals Inc. and NSMD; Walter C. Young Branch, 955 N.W. 129 Ave., Pembroke Pines; show starts at 7:30 p.m.; for information, call Lallman at (407) 340-0954 or (407) 532-1980.
APRIL 14: USTAD RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN CONCERT; The Faith Center, 5555 N.W. 95th Ave., Sunrise; 8:30 p.m.; tickets start at $49; for information, call Sohan at (954) 746-7740, Moin at (786) 306-9350, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.rfakliveshows.com
APRIL 14: Chinmaya Gita Chanting Competition 2012; celebrates Shri Gita Jayanti and Shri Tapovan Jayanti; organized by Chinmaya Mission Miami; 2 to 6 p.m.; Boca Raton venue to be determined; free event and open to all; to register or for more details, visit www.cmmiami.org
APRIL 21: SPORTS DAY; Shiva Mandir, 3000 N.W. 29th Ave., Oakland Park; for details, call Vijay Persad at (954) 475-3949, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.fhosm.com
APRIL 22: HEALTH FAIR; Shiva Mandir, 3000 N.W. 29th Ave., Oakland Park; for details, call Vijay Persad at (954) 475-3949, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.fhosm.com
APRIL 29: BHARATA NATYAM; classical South Indian dance; presented by The Elegant School of Modern Dance; performed by Jaan R. Freeman; 2 to 3:30 p.m.; Tamarac Market Place, 10022 W. McNab Road, Tamarac; advance tickets before April 28 are $16 and $20 at the door; seniors and students with valid ID are $16; to register, call (954) 366-3952.
MAY 19: TRIO ON FLUTE, MANDOLIN AND TABLA; presented by Association of Performing Arts of India; Rupak Kulkarni on flute, Snehashish Mazumdar on mandolin and Subhen Chatterjee on tabla; Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe St., Hollywood, FL 33020 (U.S. 1 and Monroe Street); 6:30 to 9 p.m.; free parking; tickets are $15 for students with current ID and seniors 65 years of age and older, $20 general admission and $30; for more information, call (954) 885-1466, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.apaiart.com