ORLANDO
Annakut/Diwali celebrations will be held from 5 p.m. on Nov. 17 by the Hindu Society of Central Florida (1994 Lake Drive) in Casselberry. Mahaprasad will be served. For information, call (407) 699-5277, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
Shri Shivdham Hindu Temple will celebrate Dipawali (Maha Lakshmi Pooja) from 7:30 p.m. on Nov 13. On Nov. 18, the mandir will hold Annakut (offering of 108 dishes of food) from 10 a.m. Devotees who wish to contribute in making dishes can call the temple at (407) 380-2661, Savitri at (407) 924-8799 or visit www.shivtemple.net
Horizon of Indian Culture will present a free Diwali Mela from 1 to 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at Mela Room, 9677 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando. For more information, call Hari Singh at (407) 814-7501 or e-mail [email protected]
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Orlando will celebrate Diwali-Annakut on Nov. 17. The BAPS temple is at 1325 W. Oakridge Road, Orlando or call (407) 857-0091.
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir will present Forgotten Elegance Diwali Dinner 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in it hall at 269 N. Klondike Ave., Orlando. There will be songs and dances, Kumar Sangeet band, Ram and Sita Swayamwar skit, silent auction, comedy and fashion show. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. For information, call (407) 294-6369.
The Orlando Marathi Mandal will hold Deepawali on Dec. 8 at the Hindu Society of Central Florida community hall (1994 Lake Drive) in Casselberry. For information, call (407) 719-3377, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.orlandomarathi.com
And Maa Durga Sri Sai Baba Temple will celebrate Diwali with Laxmi pooja from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 13 and Annakut from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 14. The temple is at 11414 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando. For information, call (407) 574-8044, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.durgasaitemple.org
SOUTH FLORIDA (BOYNTON BEACH/FORT LAUDERDALE/PALM BEACH/MIAMI)
FORT LAUDERDALE: The Indian Religious and Cultural Center will hold its Diwali festivities from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, at Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale. The program will include Bollywood, folk, classical music and dance, IRCC Children Show, Indian fashion show. A special program 'Diwali Dhamaka’ will be Nationwide Invitational University Bhangra, Raas, Garba and Fusion Dance Competition. Also, on the agenda are food, fashion, jewelry, arts and culture, henna, yoga, kids zone, bridal corner, health screening and special raffle prizes. For information, call chairman Vivek “Victor” Swaroop at (954) 394-5661, Co-Chair Sanjay Gupta at (954) 461-4003 or visit www.irccflorida.com
Also, the fifth annual Divali Nagar will be held from Nov. 9 to Nov. 11 at the Central Broward Regional Park, 3700 N.W. 11th Place, Fort Lauderdale (in the cricket stadium at Sunrise Boulevard and State Road 7). On the agenda are vendor booths, on-site workshops, and of course, entertainment. Admission is $3; children younger than 10 years of age are free. Timings are 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 3 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 3 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. For information, call (954) 846-9895, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.divalinagar.us
PALM BEACH: Also, the Palm Beach India Association will celebrate Diwali at 6 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Palm Beach Gardens High School, 4245 Holly Drive, Palm Beach Gardens. For information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.gopbia.com/
BOYNTON BEACH: The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Boynton Beach will celebrate Diwali on Nov. 17 with Annakut Darshan. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is at 541 S.E. 18th Ave., Boynton Beach. For information, call (561) 740-2898 or visit www.swaminarayan.org
DEERFIELD BEACH: The Association of Indians in America (AIA) South Florida chapter will hold a Diwali Gala Charity Banquet from 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Doubletree by Hilton, 100 Fairway Drive, Deerfield Beach. Members pay $90 per person; $175 per couple. Non-members are $100 per person. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in the United States and Ashraya Initiative for Children in Pune. For information, call Hovi at (561) 703-1878, Maya at (561) 866-3438 or visit www.aiaflorida.org
MIAMI: The Miami Lakshmi Narayan Mandir will celebrate Diwali on Nov. 13. The temple is at 9851 S.W. 168th St., Miami. For information, call (305) 378-0281, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.hindus.com
Also, the Chinmaya Mission will celebrate Dipavali Shodashopachara (16-step) Vedic Puja from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at various locations in Miami, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Dinner Prasad will be served. For details, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.cmmiami.org
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
The Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay will celebrate Diwali on Nov. 10 with dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm. and then entertainment by The Harmoniz. It is free for Samaj members. Non-members pay $25 and students with ID pay $15, which includes dinner. Annual elections will take place. The event will be at the India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa. For more information, call Samaj President Chetan Shah at (727) 688-6149 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org
Ambaji Mandir at 10991 58th St., in Pinellas Park, will hold Dhanteras MahaLaxmi Pujan at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov 11. Diwali Puja will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 13. The Gujarati New Year will be celebrated at 6 p.m. on Nov. 14. For more information, call the mandir at (727) 388-6685 or visit www.ambajimandir.org
Maayboli Melawa (Maharashtra Mandal) of Tampa Bay will celebrate Diwali on Nov. 25 at Hindu Temple, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa. Entries are being accepted through Nov 15 for the preliminary round of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma contest that will be held in the afternoon followed by Magician Raghuvir show at 5 p.m. For details, visit www.MMTBUSA.org
“Swara Prabhat,” a morning concert on the eve of Diwali, will be presented Nov. 10 by Swaradhana and Center for India Studies at University of South Florida. Renowned vocalists Pandit Radharaman Kirtane and Lavanya Dinesh will be accompanied by Dr. Manohar Apte on harmonium and Thiru Pant on tabla. The 9 a.m. concert will be at College of Public Health, USF, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa. Tickets are $25 per person till Nov. 7; $35 from Nov. 8 till concert date (both include tea/coffee, snacks); free for kids under 16 years of age and USF students with student ID must request ticket in advance. For concert tickets, visit www.swaradhana.org or e-mail [email protected]
And the Hindu Temple of Florida will hold a Deepawali Dhanalaxmi Pooja at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13. For more information, call (813) 962-6890 or visit www.htflt.org
Also, the Sanatan Mandir in Tampa will hold Laxmi Puja at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Dev Annakut will be from 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15. There also will be Diwali and New Year fireworks at the mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave. For information, call (813) 221-4482 or visit www.ourmandir.org
BAPS Shri Swarminarayan Mandir will celebrate Diwali on Nov. 13-14. Grand Annakut will be from noon to 7 p.m. (aarti every hour) on Saturday, Nov. 17. Children’s party will be from noon to 5 p.m. Fireworks will be at 7:30 p.m. BAPS is at 9556 E. Fowler Ave. in Thonotosassa. For information, call (813) 986-5473 or visit www.baps.org/diwali2012
And Vishnu Mandir in Tampa will celebrate Diwali with a family fun day Nov. 11 immediately after regular 10:30 a.m. pooja service. Special Diwali Pooja will be held from 7 to 9:30 on Nov. 13. Everyone is invited to enjoy games, food, music and entertainment. The temple is at 5803 Lynn Road. For information, call Dr. Sadhana Ramcharran at (727) 798-4258 or MJ Jaimangal at (727) 946-8144.
Also, Shree Raam Mandir will hold Diwali celebrations on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Geetanjali band of Tampa will provide live music. The temple is at 7411 Comanche Ave., Tampa. For information, call Nick Ramlal at (813) 334-0443, Angela Puchoon at (813) 265-3268 or e-mail [email protected]
PLANT CITY/BRANDON/VALRICO
The Charotar Patidar Samaj of Florida will hold its fourth annual Diwali Dinner & Dance on Nov. 4 from 3 p.m. at Trinkle Center, Hillsborough Community Center, 1206 N. Park Road, Plant City. Tickets are $25 per person. For information, call Jayesh Patel at (407) 460-2020, Kamal Patel at (863) 670-1045 or visit www.patelpower.net
BARTOW/WINTER HAVEN
The Bhartiya Samaj of Central Florida will celebrate Diwali on Nov. 18 at Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow. For more information, call Himanshu J Patadia at (863) 519-0777, Subhash S. Patel at (863) 648-0294 or visit www.bscfl.com
LAKELAND
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, 2793 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, will celebrate Diwali with Chopda and Laxmi Poojan from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 13. The New Year celebration will begin at 6 a.m. on Nov. 14. Annakut darshan will be on Nov. 18. For information, call (863) 687-4776 or e-mail [email protected]
OCALA/BELLEVIEW
Diwali will be celebrated from Nov. 11-15 at Pushtidham (Haveli of Florida), 14080 S.W. 20th Ave. Road, in Ocala. For details, call (973) 460-5936 or Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729.
GAINESVILLE
Gujarati Samaj of Gatorland will hold a Diwali Night from 6 p.m. to midnight on Nov. 17 at the Hilton. For more details, email [email protected]
FORT MYERS
The Fort Myers India Association will celebrate Diwali at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers. For details, call Sapna Mathur at (239) 247-5004 or visit www.iafortmyers.org
MELBOURNE
The Indian Association of the Space Coast will hold Diwali and annual dinner from 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Blvd. For more information, call (321) 271-7072 or visit www.iascbrevard.com
DAYTONA BEACH/ORMOND BEACH
The Indian Cultural Society of Daytona will celebrate Diwali on Saturday, Nov. 10, at Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center, 2700 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. For more information, call (386) 795-0008, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.icsdaytona.com
JACKSONVILLE
The Gujarati Samaj of North East Florida will celebrate Diwali 2012 from 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Morocco Shine Center Auditorium, 3800 Saint Johns Bluff Road S., Jacksonville. Performing will be singer Shweta Subram. For information, call Bakulesh Patel at (904) 813-9616, Bipin Patel at (904) 260-7675, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.gsnef.org
Also, The Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville will hold its Diwali Dhamaka on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the University of North Florida Arena, 11852 University of North Florida Drive. Seating and social hour begin at 3 p.m. There will be food, dance and music. For details, call (904) 638-2918, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.jaxics.org
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Jacksonville will celebrate Diwali-Annakut on Nov. 17. The BAPS temple is at 7500 Merrill Road, Jacksonville. For details, call (904) 744-5352.
Guest Column
For current and former gas station owners operating in today’s economy, it is much easier to refinance your property or purchase a former or current retail gas station if the site is free of contamination...
8TH ANNUAL AACSA CONVENTION TO BE HELD NOV. 17 IN TAMPA
More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the eighth annual convention of the Asian American Convenience Store Owners Association (AACSA) on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Store and hotel/motel owners, physicians, pharmacists and people from other professions will gather at India Cultural Center (5511 Lynn Road) in Tampa.
Satya Shaw
AACSA is the apex body of the Asian American convenience store owners in the United States, according to AACSA Founding President Satya Shaw. Convenience store owners and operators from all across the United States will be attending the mega event to discuss issues related to their business and welfare.
The 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daytime program features booths, exhibits, vendors, educational sessions, networking, plus lunch. There will be a meet, greet and photo op with actor Aarti Chhabria. Door prizes will be awarded. Various vendors will offer special convention day discounts.
Keynote speaker will be Tulsi Gabbard, a congressional candidate from Hawaii. The evening program will feature Bollywood-style entertainment, plus dinner and dancing. Entertainment will be “Ek Shyam Rafi Ke Naam.”
Event chair Vijay Gandhi
Registration is free for the first 500 store owners (daytime program attendance is required to receive free pass for evening). For others, it is $100 for the convention, including lunch, educational sessions, dinner and entertainment. Register online at www.aacsa.org
For more information, call (813) 908-1602, (813) 842-0345 or e-mail [email protected] Also, visit www.AACSA.org
