EVENTS
TAMPA/CLEARWATER/ST. PETERSBURG
NOV. 1: ANNUAL INDIA FESTIVAL; organized by the Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa; 10 a.m. onward; to purchase tickets, visit https://www.indiafestivaltampabay.com/
NOV. 5: 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.
NOV. 8: AKSHAYA PATRA WEST FLORIDA GALA; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 5 p.m.; actor/comedian Om Vaidya to emcee; for information, call Dr. Snehal Parikh at (941) 518-6298 or visit www.apusa.org to register.
NOV. 8-9: AYURVEDA AND YOGA CONFERENCE; presented by Ayurveda Association of Florida; ayurveda keynote speakers, panel discussions, free community fair; $100; Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions, 11701 USF Maple Drive, Tampa; for information, call (303) 641-4495 or visit www.flayurveda.com to register.
ONGOING THROUGH NOV. 10: SEWA DIWALI; #SewaDiwali campaign unites Tampa’s Dharmic organizations by supporting local disadvantaged communities; food donations can be dropped off at Ayyappa Temple, 6829 Maple Drive, Tampa; for more locations, visit https://tinyurl.com/26fbvrd5; also email [email protected]
NOV. 11: 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.
NOV. 15-16: VEDANTA RETREAT; full-day program in English delivered by esteemed vidwans from India; Hindu Temple of Florida, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free; register at tinyurl.com/VedantaTPA; for information, call Indira Sastry at (813) 767-2463.
NOV. 19: 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.
PLANT CITY/LAKELAND/WINTER HAVEN
NOV. 16: KARTHIKA ANABHOJANAM; presented by JET USA Tampa chapter; 6708 W. Knights Griffin Road, Plant City; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; proceeds benefit visually challenged and underprivileged children; RSVP at tampajetusa.org by Nov. 15.
NOV. 9: INDIA FESTIVAL 2025: presented by Shubham Foundation of Lakeland; Lake Mirror Complex Auditorium, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland; noon to 6 p.m.; $10 entry fee; for information, call Bharath/Jahnavi at (323) 842-3815.
ORLANDO
NOV. 8: “HE GOVIND: AN ODE TO KRISHNA;” donor appreciation musical journey for AIM for SEVA; Jayateerth Mevundi on violin and Pravin Godhkindi on flute; Timber Creek High School Performing Arts Center, 1001 Avalon Park Blvd., Orlando; 4 p.m.; for information, call Shraddha at (407) 924-2063.
NOV. 15: GROUP DANCE COMPETITION; organized by Gujarati Society of Central Florida; Olympia High School, 4301 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando; begins at 10 a.m.; minor, junior, senior, adult, university categories; free for members, $25 non-members; for information, call (352) 250-4287 or visit www.gujaratisocietycfl.com
NOV. 22: 7th ANNUAL HOLIDAY GALA & AWARDS; organized by Indian American Business Association & Chamber; Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando; 5:30 p.m.; live show/entertainment, music/dance performances, awards; for information, visit www.iabausa.com/Gala25
ONGOING THROUGH DEC. 9: “FROM EARTH TO SOUL;” art exhibit by Vidisha Bajpai of Orlando; Atrium Gallery, Orange County Administration Center, 201 W. Rosalind St., Orlando; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; for information, call (407) 836-5540.
FORT MYERS/NAPLES
NOV. 16: MANDOLIN CONCERT; presented by RAAGA; performing artist is U. Rajesh; Marian Hall, 5632 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers; 4 to 6 p.m.; free; for information, visit https://www.raagafl.org
SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI/BOCA RATON)
NOV. 8: SINGLES UNPLUGGED; meet with singles; presented by Palm Beach India Association; Stage Kitchen & Bar, 5377 Town Center Road, Suite 200, Boca Raton; 5 to 7 p.m.; $15 entry; email [email protected]
NOV. 19: LUNCH WITH KIRAN DESAI; 2006 Booker Prize winner of “The Inheritance of Loss” and latest “The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny;” Miami Literary Society, 137 N.E. 19th St., Miami; noon to 1:45 p.m.; $75; pre-registration required at https://www.miamiliterarysociety.org/events
TALLAHASSEE
NOV. 2: GLIMPSES OF INDIA; organized by India Association of Tallahassee; 3 p.m.; Lee Hall Auditorium, FAMU (at West Palmer Avenue and S. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard), 1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; to participate in performances and register, visit links at www.iatlh.org