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SIGNIFICANT DATES

MARCH 5: MAHA SHIVRATRI

MARCH 20: ID E MILAD

MARCH 21: HOLI

MARCH 21: NAUROOZ (PARSI/ZOROASTRIAN NEW YEAR)

Other Area Events

By NITISH S. RELE - editor@khaasbaat.com

TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER

MARCH 9: NATYANJALI; Maha Shiva Raathri Cultural Program; dance program during the celebration of Maha Shiva Raathri; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Hindu Temple of Florida auditorium, 5509 Lynn Road; if interested in performing a dance for the occasion, call Rajyam Korabathina at (727) 937-1893, Rani Krishnaraj at (813) 783-3221, Lavanya Dinesh at (813) 855-6166, Kalyani Derasari at (813) 977-6695.

MARCH 15: FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR, sponsored by Vishnu Mandir; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the temple, 5803 Lynn Road, Tampa; free health screenings for blood sugar, cholesterol, obesity as well as a bond density test and blood pressure check; health care professionals and physicians will be available to answer questions and distribute information about child, adolescent, senior health and safety topics; for information, call Dr. Sadhana Shah at (727) 798-4258 or Dr. Ram Ramcharran at (727) 460-2460.

MARCH 19: ICC INDIAN SENIOR GET-TOGETHER, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ICC, Lotus Hall, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; lunch served; free for seniors and everyone else is invited; for information or a ride, call John Adhia at (813) 784-6930 or Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.

MARCH 22: CARNATIC MUSICAL CONCERT, organized by Swaralaya; featuring vocalist Abhishek Raghuram, Mysore Srinath on the violin and Manoj Siva on the mridangam; 5 p.m.; University of South Florida, College of Public Health Auditorium, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa; for tickets, call Lata Kumar at (813) 948-6316, Dr. V. Srinivasan at (727) 738-1114, e-mail swaralaya@gmail.com or visit www.swaralaya.us

MARCH 26: BENEFIT KIRTAN – CHANTING WITH MAA DAS; The Younit, 4705-C Alternate 19, Palm Harbor; $10; all profits benefit the Homeless Emergency Project (www.ethep.org/) in Clearwater; for more information or to reserve space, call The Younit at (727) 938-4422 or email info@theyounit.com.

MARCH 30: HAF’S 5TH ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON; organized by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF); noon to 3 p.m.; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; RSVP to Nikhil and Adeeti Joshi at (813) 205-8069, e-mail office@HAFsite.org or visit www.HAFsite.org

MARCH 30: THE HEALTHY MIND-HEALTHY BODY LECTURE SERIES; Hindu Temple auditorium; noon to 1 p.m.; open to everyone; subject is “Science of Yoga and Meditation” (followed by demonstration); speakers are Bala V. Manyam, M.D., adjunct professor, Department of Neurology, SIU School of Medicine; distinguished research professor of ayurveda, Hindu University of America; and Rani C. Manyam; question-and-answer session will be held immediately after lecture; for more information, call Renuka Ramappa, Devayani Desai or Chitra Ravindra at (813) 962-6890.

APRIL 5: FLORIYA’S 5TH ORISSA DAY CELEBRATION; Rudrakshya Group, a 15-member ensemble from India will perform; 6 p.m.; USF College of Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa; $25; VIP (limited seats) are $100; for information, call Kiron Senapathy at (813) 340-2324 or Gopa Rautray at (813) 598-9848.

APRIL 6: GUDHI PADWA; organized by Maayboli Melawa Tampa Bay (MMTB); for details, write to mmtb_moderator@yahoo.com or join MMTB mailing list at groups.yahoo.com/group/mmtb

APRIL 13: CARNATIC MUSIC CONCERT; organized by Swaralaya; featuring vocalist Sikkil C. Gurucharan, Nagai Sriram on the violin, and Neyveli Skandasubramanian on the mridangam; 5 p.m.; University of South Florida, College of Public Health Auditorium, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa; for tickets, call Lata Kumar at (813) 948-6316, Dr. V. Srinivasan at (727) 738-1114, e-mail swaralaya@gmail.com or visit www.swaralaya.us

APRIL 19: ANNUAL BAISAKHI CELEBRATION; organized by the Punjabi Association of America; social hour from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; program, dinner and dancing from 7:30 p.m. onward; featuring professional DJ, Bollywood dances and university bhangra teams; $25, VIP tickets are $100; for information, call Dr. Satnam Singh at (941) 807-1917 or Amrita Bedi at (352) 597-8342.

APRIL 25-MAY 10: MANTRA; an exhibition of ceramic work by artist-in-residence Vaibhav Alandikar; The Tim Salen Gallery; St. Petersburg Clay Company; 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg; gallery opening and reception is at 7 p.m. on Friday April 25; for information, e-mail vpotter@gmail.com or visit www.stpeteclay.com.

ORLANDO

MARCH 9 AND MARCH 15: HINDU SOCIETY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA NEW AGE (SENIORS GROUP); on March 9, the group meets from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hindu Society of Central Florida Community Hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; $5 per person; seminar, study circle, games, tea party for 50 years and older; also, on Saturday, March 15, an additional event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free; for information, call Madan Arora at (407) 971- 9259, Dev Sharma at (407) 862-9920 or e-mail hscfnewagegroup@yahoo.com.

APRIL 19: THE LEGACY TOUR: A Tribute to Pandit Nikhil Banerjee by Pandit Parthapratim Chatterjee, Purbayan Chatterjee, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Anubrata Chatterjee; 7:30 p.m.; Tiedtke Concert Hall at Rollins College; for more information and tickets, call (407) 333-3667 or Kiran Arora at (407) 876-5772 or visit www.aca-florida.org.

SARASOTA/BRADENTON

MARCH 12-18: ISHA YOGA - INNER ENGINEERING PROGRAM; weekdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Bayshore High School (opposite IMG/Bollettieri Academy), 5401 34th St. W., Bradenton; for more information, call (941) 803-4099 or 866-424-ISHA (4742) or email tampa@ishafoundation.org or visit www.ishayoga.org.

JACKSONVILLE

MARCH 6: MAHASHIVRATRI, Rudrabhishekam three times in the evening starting at 6, 9 and midnight; Hindu Society of North East Florida (HSNEF), 4968 GreenLand Road, Jacksonville; for information, call (904) 268-7630.

MARCH 22: FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF HINDU SOCIETY OF NORTH EAST FLORIDA; local artists from Jacksonville and RasaJhari will present “Payal Ki OMkar”; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Mandarin Middle School, 5100 Hood Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257; free; for information, call (904) 268-7630, e-mail info@jaxhindutemple.org or visit www.jaxhindutemple.org

GAINESVILLE

MARCH 29: INDIA FEST, presented by the India Cultural & Education Center (www.icec-florida.org); 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Santa Fe Community College Gymnasium, 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville, FL 32606; $3 admission, kids younger than 5 years of age are free; Indian food, dance, art, music, jewelry, clothing, henna; health fair will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and cultural show from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; for vendor information, call Naina Patel: (352) 384-1594 and for general information, call Manisha Ranade: (352) 271-3065.

TALLAHASSEE

MARCH 1: INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR; India Association of Tallahassee will participate in FSU International Center's International Bazaar; 2 p.m.; FSU Oglesby Union Ballroom Palmetto Drive (Academic Way); Indian music, food sampling, and booths; $10 for general public; $5 for students; for more information, visit www.ic.fsu.edu.

SOUTH FLORIDA (CORAL SPRINGS, WEST PALM BEACH, FORT LAUDERDALE/MIAMI AREA)

MARCH 5-11: ISHA YOGA – INNER ENGINEERING PROGRAM; weekdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Palm Beach Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; for more information call (561) 283 4709 or email miami@ishafoundation.org or visit www.ishayoga.org

MARCH 22: JAZZ YATRA 2008; presented by Sahara; evening of fusion dance and music when East meets West; 7 p.m.; Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; tickets are $20, $30, $40; seniors and students are $15 (limit one per person with valid ID); for information, call Lakshmi Subrahmanian at (954) 755-7091 or visit www.saharafl.org

SOUTH FLORIDA (FORT LAUDERDALE/MIAMI AREA)

FEB. 23: FIFTH ANNUAL INDIAFEST; organized by the Palm Beach India Association; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Meyer Auditorium, 105 Evernia St., West Palm Beach; for information, click on www.sfindiafest.com or e-mail info@sfindiafest.com

FEB. 24: INDIA JAZZ SUITES, presented by the Association of Performing Arts of India (www.apaiart.com); features kathak dancer Pandit Chitresh Das and tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith; 5 to 8 p.m., Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Amaturo Theater, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; for information, call (954) 462-0222 or visit www.browardcenter.org

MARCH 22: JAZZ YATRA 2008; presented by Sahara; evening of fusion dance and music when East meets West; 7 p.m.; Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; tickets are $20, $30, $40; seniors and students are $15 (limit one per person with valid ID); for information, call Lakshmi Subrahmanian at (954) 755-7091 or visit www.saharafl.org



CLASSES

VEDAS: Veda class is being conducted by B. Ganesan (Ganesh) at the Hindu Temple of Florida, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; an engineer by profession, Ganesan works in Abu Dhabi, teaching Veda mantras for the last 17 years; Sri Rudhram, Chamaham, Sookthams, Upanishads are being taught for Vedic chanting during this free class; for information, call Ganesan at (813) 732-5935.

VIDYALAYA AT HINDU TEMPLE OF FLORIDA: Every Sunday except on public holiday for first-graders to 12th grade; 12:15 to 2:45 p.m.; subjects include Mathematics and English; $25 registration fee per academic year, $125 per fall or winter term; Hindu Temple is at 5509 Lynn Road in Tampa; for more information on Vidyalaya, call Manish Kharod at (813) 963-0616 or Ravi Narayanan at (813) 961-6120.

PANDIT JASRAJ SCHOOL OF MUSIC FOUNDATION: Vocal and harmonium classes by Pandit Rattan Mohan Sharma and Radha Raman Kirtane; table classes (group and special) by Aditya Narayan Banerjee (www.adityabanerjee.com); classes held at different locations depending on the day; for more information, call (813) 960-0176 or e-mail: pjsmftampabay@hotmail.com; Web site: www.pjsmf.com

CHHANDAYAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC: Sitar, vocal and table classes by Hidayat Khan (son of sitar maestro Vilayat Khan), Mithali Bhaumik Banerjee (vocal) and Pandit Sameer Chatterjee (tabla); classes are held in Clearwater; for more information, call Satya Challa at (727) 712-1233 or Viji Reddy at (727) 934-7721 or e-mail sameer@tabla.org

BALVIHAR BY CHINMAYA MISSION OF TAMPA BAY: Sundays from 10am to noon in Tampa; ages 5 through teen; children learn about Hindu religion, culture and festivals through stories from the Ramayana and Bhagwad Gita; for more information on location and fees visit www.chinmayaprasad.org or call Laxmi Sastry at (813) 948-3590 or e-mail nsastry@tampabay.rr.com

SANKARA CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF FLORIDA: classes in Carnatic percussion instruments mridangam, ghatam, kanjira and morsingh by Ghatam Vidwan Sri T.H. Subash Chandran (brother of T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram) and N. Ganesh Kumar (www.ganeshkanjira.com); classes held in Tampa and at the Hindu Temple of Florida; for more information, call Kala Gangadharan at (813) 979-4598 or Jyothi Venkatachalam at (813) 977-9039 or (813) 404-7899 or e-mail jvenkata@yahoo.com or ganesh@ganeshkanjira.com

TAMPA SHAKHA/BALAGOKULAM: free activities for all ages, including yoga, games, field trips, and shlokas for children and adults; 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Hindu Temple of Florida, Lynn Road; for more information, call Vijay Singh at (813) 920-7494.

VEDANTA CENTER IN ST. PETERSBURG The Vedanta Center of St. Petersburg, 216 19th Ave. S.E. (first house to the right on crossing Bay Street on 19th Avenue Southeast) holds lectures on Vedanta every Sunday from 11 a.m. to noon by Swami Yuktamanandaji. There also is a Gita class on Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by meditation at the center, which is part of the Ramakrishna Mission and Math of India. For more information, call (727) 896-9840 or click on www.vedantaflorida.com

ORLANDO

JAIN VISHWA BHARATI U.S.A.: Every Saturday classes are held on Pranayam, Yogic Exercise and Relaxation, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; donations accepted; JVB Center, 7819 Lillwill Ave., Orlando; for information, call (407) 852-8694 or e-mail jainvishwa@hotmail.com

SOUTH FLORIDA

CHINMAYA MISSION: Classes and activities for adults and children from kindergarten to grade 12 on Hindu culture, based on the universal philosophy of Advaita Vedanta (Oneness); times and days vary; for information, e-mail studygroup@CMmiami.org


PLACES OF WORSHIP

TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER

HINDU TEMPLE OF FLORIDA: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa, FL 33624; (813) 962-6890.

SHIV MANDIR: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday; officiating priests are Pandit Balraj Maharaj and Ram Maharaj; 2001 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33607; (813) 907-6311.

DADA BHAGWAN’S GROUP OF TAMPA BAY: Satsang every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.; everyone is invited; call Ramesh Patel at (813) 926-1143 or Mukesh Patel at (813) 969-1740.

JAIN SOCIETY OF TAMPA BAY: Monthly bhavna from 3 to 5 p.m. every fourth Sunday; also, non-Jains can take Dev Darshan of statues made of marbles by sculpture-artist from Rajasthan; 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.; both events at Days Inn hotel at Fletcher Avenue and Interstate 75; call Kini Shah at (813) 503-0715 or Pradeep Bavishi at (727) 525-5400.

VISHNU MANDIR: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday only, discourse by Pandit Vishnu Sharma; 5303 Lynn Road, Tampa, FL 33624; (813) 654-2551.

SANATAN MANDIR: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday; 311 East Palm Ave., Tampa, FL 33602; (813) 221-4482.

SHRI SARASWATI DEVI MANDIR: 9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday only; officiating priest is Pandit Purnanan Sharma; 16220 Livingston Avenue, Lutz, FL 33559; (813) 264-1539.

SHRI RADHA-KRISHNA MANDIR: daily morning arotik at 7 followed by Srimad-Bhavatavam class; 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Wednesday Bhagavad-Gita class followed by prasadam; 14610 N. 17th St., Tampa; (813) 971-6474 or click on www.iskcontampa.com

BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; darshan is closed between noon and 4 p.m. but reopens at 4 p.m.; 9226 E. Fowler Ave. (between Interstate 75 and U.S. 301); (813) 986-5473.

MANAV DHARMA ASHRAM: sumiran is from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. first Thursday of every month; satsang is 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, followed by dinner; yoga classes begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday; bhajans are 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every third Sunday; 7520 Caron Road, Tampa, FL 33615; call the ashram at (813) 889-7155, Himatlal Parekh at (813) 969-1661 or Ashok Modh at (813) 935-3439.

SHREE YAMUNA PREETI SEVA SAMAJ: Pushtimargiya Satsang Mandal invites Vaishnavs of Tampa Bay area to weekend Satsang sabhas and kirtans; 1340 Robin Road S., St. Petersburg, FL 33707; call Smitabein Patel at (813) 961-3816 or Himatlal Parekh at (813) 969-1661.

ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF TAMPA BAY AREA MOSQUE: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; 7326 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa, FL 33601; Tel: (813) 628-0007.

GURDWARA: 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. daily; 15302 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa, FL 33592; (813) 986-6205.

CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA (CSI) CONGREGATION OF FLORIDA: Worship services at 10 a.m. every Sunday at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church, 8119 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619; for information, call John Philip at (813) 986-6844 or Daniel Cherian (Anand) at (813) 985-9890 or click on www.csichurchflorida.org

ORLANDO AREA

HINDU SOCIETY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry, FL 32707; (407) 699-5277.

GURDWARA, SIKH SOCIETY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA: 11:30 A.M. to 1 p.m. Sunday; 2527 W. Aloma Ave. (west State Road 426), Oviedo; (407) 805-0404.

MASJID AL-RAHIM, ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, WEST ORLANDO: five times daily prayers and pray on Friday; 4962 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando, FL 32811; (407) 523-7882.

SARASWATI DEVI MANDIR/INDO CARIBBEAN CENTER: Sunday service is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; all special days observed with worship; 1453 N. Pine Hills Road, Orlando, FL 32808; for information, call (407) 522-1988 or click on www.saraswatidevimandir.com

SHRI SHIVDHAM HINDU TEMPLE AND BRAHMRISHI YOGASHRAM: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily; 460 O’Berry Hoover Road, Orlando, FL 32825; (407) 380-2661 or e-mail ymcco@yahoo.com

SANTOSHI MA TEMPLE: bhajan and aarti first Friday of every month; 10900 Park Ridge Gotha Road, Windermere, FL 34786; (407) 996-2830.

SHRI DEVI BHAVAN: 9 A.M. TO 11:30 a.m. every Sunday; Pandit is Eshwar Persaud; 6206 W. Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32835; (407) 822-8057.

SHRI LAXMINARAYAN MANDIR: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday; 269 N. Klondike Ave., Pine Hills, FL 32811; (407) 877-7916.

SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR (BAPS): 1325 W. Oak Ridge Road, Orlando, FL 32809; (407) 857-0091.

POINCIANA HINDU MANDIR INC.: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each Sunday and on special festivals; 3999 Monterey Road, Kissimmee, FL 34758; (407) 873-2679.

LAKELAND(POLK COUNTY)

SHRI SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE: 2793 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, FL 33815; (863) 682-8260.

ALACHUA (ALACHUA COUNTY)

ISKCON OF ALACHUA (International Society for Krishna Consciousness): founder is A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, P.O. Box 819, Alachua, FL 32616; (386) 462-2017.

INVERNESS (CITRUS COUNTY)

SHIRDI SAI CENTER: 4707 Pleasant Grove Road, Inverness, FL 34452; for timings of the center and any other information, call (352) 860-2181 or e-mail shirdi@gowebco.com

JACKSONVILLE/ORANGE PARK

HINDU SOCIETY OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA (HSNEF): 714 Park Ave., Orange Park; for information, call (904) 269-1155 or click on www.jaxhindutemple.org

SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI AREA)

SOUTH FLORIDA HINDU TEMPLE: 13010 W. Griffin Road, Southwest Ranches, FL 33330; for timings and classes at the temple, call (954) 438-3675 or e-mail info@sfht.org

SHIVA VISHNU TEMPLE OF SOUTH FLORIDA: 5661 Dykes Road, Southwest Ranches, FL 33331; 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays; call (954) 689-0471 or click on www.shivavishnu.org

SHIVA MANDIR: 3000 N.W. 29TH Ave., Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309; for information, call (954) 735-3560 or click on www.fhosm.com

ISLAMIC CENTER OF BOCA RATON: 3100 N.W. FIFTH AVE., Boca Raton, FL 33431; for information, call (561) 395-7221 or click on www.icbr.org

SIKH GURUDWARA: 1600 S.W. 60th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33331; for information, call (954) 680-0221.


Send information on upcoming events to Nitish S. Rele, Khaas Baat, 18313 Cypress Stand Circle, Tampa, FL 33647
or e-mail editor@khaasbaat.com
Deadline for submissions is the 18th of each month to be included in the next issue.




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