SIGNIFICANT DATES
MARCH 3: HOLI
MARCH 19: GUDI PADWA/UGADI/CHETI CHAND (HINDU NEW YEAR BEGINNING)
MARCH 21: RAMADAN ENDS (EID MUBARAK)
MARCH 26: RAM NAVAMI
MARCH 31: MAHAVIR JAYANTI
EVENTS
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/PLANT CITY
MARCH 4: GSTB SENIOR DAY; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; $10 for GSTB members, $15 for non-members; lunch and entertainment; for information, call Jitubhai Vora at (941) 962-9774.
MARCH 5-7: SPIFFS INTERNATIONAL FOLK FAIR; presented by Saint Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS) and Volunteers of Indian Culture, Art and Science Society (VICAS); England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave. N., Pinellas Park; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; music, dance, crafts, and cuisine from various cultures, including VICAS; for information, visit https://www.spiffs.org/
MARCH 10: HANUMAN CHALISA; second Tuesday of month; Vishnu Mandir Tampa, 5803 Lynn Road; 7 to 9 p.m.; for information, call Deo Gajadhar at (813) 817-9714.
MARCH 14: "Mrs. Mara Online Chhe"; Gujarati comedy play presented by Record A Hit Entertainment; enacted by actress Rashami Desai; Chamberlain High School, 9401 N. Blvd., Tampa; 6:30 p.m.; $30, $40, $60; call Bhavik Modi at (813) 557-4555.
MARCH 18: ICC SENIORS GET-TOGETHER; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free seminar, lunch and entertainment; only for 65 years and older; for information, text email address along with your name to Bhikhu Nayi at (631) 560-2718 to receive details about seniors gathering every month; or call Mahesh Modha at (813) 476-1540.
LAKELAND/BARTOW
MARCH 8: PICNIC; organized by Bhartiya Samaj of Central Florida; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Mary Holland Park, 2015 Shumate Drive, Bartow; for information, visit https://www.bscfl.com
MARCH 21: CHAITAR MAS GARBA; organized by Bhartiya Samaj of Central Florida; Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S, Floral Ave.; for time and other information, visit https://www.bscfl.com
BRADENTON/SARASOTA
MARCH 13-15: “NAGA-MANDALA” (PLAY WITH A COBRA); theater production by playwright Girish Karnad; Sailor Circus Arena, The Circus Arts Observatory, 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota; for timings and tickets, visit www.circusarts.org
ORLANDO
MARCH 29: 4th ANNUAL PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT; organized by Indian American Business Association & Chamber; USTA National Campus (Lake Nona), 10000 USTA Blvd., Orlando; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $80 doubles; for information, call (201) 303-4050 or www.IABAusa.com/pickleball26
MAY 22-25: United Gujarati Convention 2026; organized by Federation of Gujarati Associations of USA (FOGAUSA) and local Florida Gujarati societies; for more information and to register, www.FOGAUSA.org
GAINESVILLE/ALACHUA
MARCH 7: INDIA FEST (TRADITIONS OF INDIA); presented by India Cultural & Education Center; Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, 15400 Peggy Road, Alachua; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Indian food, music/dance, fashion, jewelry; for information, email [email protected] or visit www.icec-florida.org
FORT MYERS/NAPLES
MARCH 14: 35th INDIA FEST; presented by India Association of Fort Myers (IAFM); Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; noon to 8 p.m.; Indian food, dance, henna, music, handicrafts and clothing; for information, email [email protected] or visit https://www.iaftmyers.org/
MARCH 28: KATHAK DANCE; performer is Barkha Patel; presented by RAAGA to celebrate its 10-year anniversary; Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 5 to 8 p.m.; $50 for show/dinner (Indian Breeze restaurant) adult members, $75 non-members, children over 12 are $10; purchase tickets at www.raagafl.org
MELBOURNE/COCOA
MARCH 7-8: 29th ANNUAL INDIAFEST; presented by Manav Mandir; Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; $8 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under; kids younger than 5 years are free; cultural and fashion shows, henna, arts and crafts, Indian cooking demo, food, raffle drawings, etc.; for information, call Nina Gadodia at (321) 779-0110, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.indiafestbrevard.org