significant dates
SEPT. 2: KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI
SEPT. 7: PARYUSHAN (JAIN FESTIVAL) BEGINS
SEPT. 12: MUHARRAM/ASHURA
SEPT. 13: GANESH CHATURTHI
EVENTS
TAMPA/LUTZ/LAKELAND
SEPT. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: ShivYog Continuous Learning Program (forum); 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; weekly meet to learn the ancient teachings of ShivYog taught by master Dr. Avdhoot Shivanand; includes Sookshma and Pran kriyas, guided meditation and teachings of Advait philosophy; to attend, call/text at (813) 361-8094 (Westchase), (813) 919-8069 (New Tampa/Brandon) or (863) 512-9350 (Lakeland).
SEPT. 8: “JAGAT PAVANI GANGA;” dance/music/theatre program presented by AIM for SEVA; 6 p.m.; USF School of Dance, Theatre 1, 3837 USF Holly Drive, Tampa; free admission; donations welcome; for information, call Kala Gangadharan at (732) 485-3410 or RSVP [email protected]
SEPT. 13-22: SHRI GANESH FESTIVAL & VISARJAN; Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa; for timing and details, call the temple at (813) 221-4482 or visit www.sanatanmandirtampa.org
SEPT. 14-15: FLORIDA HINDU MATRIMONIAL; Tampa Bay’s first annual matrimonial meet & greet; Embassy Suites by Hilton, 555 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa; for information, call (769) 241-0675 or visit https://flhm.hfssusa.org
SEPT. 16: FAMILY TAILGATE; organized by Indo American Foundation of Tampa Bay; Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Philadelphia Eagles; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; corner of Al Lopez Park, Tampa; $40 per family includes all you can eat and drink; purchase tickets at https://iaftb.org/football-tailgate/
SEPT. 23: “A MILLION SITAS;” renowned Indian dancer Dr. Anita Ratnam will perform; presented by Shreyas Arts and Tam2AUSA; 4:30 p.m.; Walter L. Sickles High School Auditorium, 7950 Gunn Highway, Tampa; for information, call Sheila Narayanan at (813) 335-8000.
SEPT. 23: POWERUN 5K Run/Walk; 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Lake Park (shelter #3), 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz; $10 per participant; fundraiser for Girl Up, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation dedicated to achieving gender equality; sign up by Sept. 15: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Lutz/POWERUN5K or email organizers at [email protected]
SEPT. 29: JUGALBANDI; Ronu Majumdar on bansuri flute, Kamalakiran Vinjamuri on violin, Amit Kathekar on tabla, Sowmiya Narayanan on ghatam; Vignesh Venkataraman on mridangam; organized by Thaiya Thaiya; fundraiser for Sankara Nethralaya (www.sankaranethralayausa.org, organization dedicated to bringing back lost vision to poor and needy in India); free; donations welcome; 4 to 6:30 p.m.; USF School of Music, 3755 USF Holly Drive, Tampa; for information, call Lata Kumar at (813) 679-7298 or Dr. Meena Jain at (727) 480-6597.
SEPT. 29-OCT. 6: Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Bhakti Gyaan Yagya (Mool Bhagwat); performed by Aacharya Ramesh Mehta with blessings from Pujya Rameshbhai Oza; presented by Friends of India Tampa Bay; Hindu Temple of Florida hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; for details, call Jigisha Desai at (813) 731-7747 or Ramesh Mehta at (813) 453-9334.
SEPT. 29: ShivYog Healing Meditation; in subtle presence of Dr. Avdhoot Shivanand; experience healing from the ancient Indian Advait path; free; for required registration and venue details, call/text (813) 317-1475 or (813) 336-9455.
SEPT. 29: BANYAN BALL; Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Tampa Bay; Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa; 6:30 p.m.; for information, visit www.indo-us.org
OCT. 4-7: Inner Engineering TOTAL WITH SHAMBHAVI KRIYA; Technologies for Wellbeing; Sam and Martha Gibbons Alumni Center, 11810 USF Alumni Drive, Tampa; to register, visit www.innerengineering.com/total; for information, call (813) 413-1661.
OCT. 7: Grand Carnatic vocal concert; performer is Vidushi Dr. S. Sowmya; Hindu Temple of Florida hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; 5 p.m.; organized by Swaralaya; for information, email [email protected]
OCT. 13: GANESH CHATURTHI; organized by Maayboli Melawa (Marathi Mandal) Tampa Bay (MMTB); noon to 6 p.m.; comedy play “Amar Photo Studio” starring Amey Wagh, Sakhi Gokhale, Pooja Thombre and Suvrat Joshi; Hillsborough Community College Brandon Campus, 10414 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa; free for MMTB members; for non-members, a nominal fee; for information, email Aishwarya Pednekar at [email protected] or visit mmtbusa.org
OCT. 26: DIWALI CELEBRATION; organized by Rajasthani Association of Tampa Bay; for details, call Rahul Maheshwari at (813) 374-7583 or Rashmi Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.
NOV. 3: 31st ANNUAL INDIA FESTIVAL; organized by the Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa; for information, visit www.indiafestivaltampa.com
NOV. 17: ANNUAL PUNJABI MELA; organized by Punjabi Association of America; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; $50 per person or $60 at door; 6:30 p.m.; for information, call Sandeep Sheth at (646) 573-8550 or Jujhar Singh Gill at (813) 340-8640.
ORLANDO/CASSELBERRY/OAKLAND/LAKE MARY
SEPT. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: HEARTFULNESS MEDITATION CLASSES; free; Hindu Society of Central Florida community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 9 to 10 a.m.; for information, call (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
SEPT. 5, 12, 19, 26: AAPI YOGA THERAPY; free; Hindu Society of Central Florida community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; for information, call (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
SEPT. 9: HSCF NEW AGE GROUP CELEBRATION OF GRANDPARENTS DAY; Hindu Society of Central Florida community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 12:30 p.m.; everyone invited; free pizza, salad, ice cream, cultural program and prizes for essay and on-the-spot drawing competitions; for rules and details and to RSVP, e-mail [email protected]
SEPT. 12-23: GANESH CHATURTHI & VISARJAN; Maa Durga Sri Sai Baba Temple, 11414 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando; for details, call (407) 437-6709 or email [email protected]
SEPT. 13-23: GANESH MAHOTSAV; hosted by Orlando Marathi Mandal; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; for details, call Prashant Saoji at (321) 460-0800 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
SEPT. 16: MYSHADI BRIDAL EXPO; presented by Desh-Videsh Media Group; Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway; noon to 5 p.m.; free admission, parking; several booths to showcase latest trends and products for weddings; for information, call (954) 784-8100.
SEPT. 22: 9th ANNUAL AWARDS GALA; organized by Indian American Chamber of Commerce (IACC); cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment; awards presentation; 6:30 p.m.; Intermodal Terminal Facility, Orlando International Airport, 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd.; for details, visit www.IACCOrlando.com
SEPT. 29-OCT. 1: “BEYOND BOLLYWOOD: 24th ANNUAL SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL”; presented by Enzian and Asian Cultural Association; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; for details, visit www.enzian.org or call (407) 333-3667.
FORT MYERS
SEPT. 15: BHARATANATYAM DANCE PERFORMANCE; Sushmitha Suresh; presented by RAAGA; 4 to 6 p.m.; Fort Myers Event Center, 1900 Park Meadows Drive; for information, call (239) 634-6668.
MELBOURNE (SPACE COAST)
SEPT. 13-23: GANESH CHATURTHI AND VISARJAN; Manav Mandir, 7400 Waelti Drive, Melbourne; for information, call (321) 426-0668, email [email protected] or visit www.mmbrevard.org
JACKSONVILLE
SEPT. 8: SRI JAGANNATH RATH YATRA; presented by Jacksonville GOD Satsang; 9 a.m.; yatra from Sri Shirdi Sai Society of North East Florida, 5180 Greenland Road, to Hindu Society of North East Florida mandir, 4968 Greenland Road, then return; for information, call Sridhar at (904) 403-3577.
SEPT. 8: BLOOD DRIVE; Sri Shirdi Sai Society of North East Florida, 5180 Greenland Road; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; for information, call (904) 274-0312.
SEPT. 16: ICS TALENT SHOW; presented by Indian Cultural Society; individual singers, musical instruments, stand-up comedy, poetry or any other unique talent invited to participate; 3 p.m.; Hindu Society of North East Florida Temple, 4968 Greenland Road, Jacksonville; for information, visit http://jaxics.org/
Event submissions are free, e-mail information to [email protected] by the 20th.
Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change. Please check with local organizers.