MALIBU,CA -The Hindu Temple Society of Southern California celebrated New Year 2019 with a large number of devotees in attendance. At the stroke of midnight on January 1, the doors of the sanctum sanctorum were opened for a spectacular viewing of Lord Venkateshwara, the presiding deity of the Temple. The priests, performed the grand aarti welcoming the New Year. The Temple itself was beautifully lit and there were several TV monitors where the aartis were broadcast throughout the Temple. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -A Christmas celebration was organized at the Embassy of India on Jan 4. The event was attended by a large number of community members, including members of the Indian Christian community.  Chargé d’affaires Ambassador Santosh Jha addressed the gathering. The program included an invocation by Rev Binoy Akkalayil Lucka, Parochial Vicar, St. Lawrence Catholic Church.  Dr. Graceson Kannamplave of the Evangelical Order highlighted the significance of Christmas and its relevance to India.

NORWALK,CA - Dharma Civilization Foundation held its annual event at the Sanatana Dharma Mandir here on Dec 1. 
The event was highlighted by Padma Bhushan Prof. Ved Nanda, Swami Svatmananda from Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Pennsylvania and scholars Dr. Vishwa Adluri, Hunter College, New York, Dr. Kundan Singh, Sofia University, Palo Alto and Dr. Joydeep Bagchee, University of Munich, Germany. At the event, attended by over 275 well-wishers, 

IJ NEWS SERVICE
YUBA CITY, CA –Tens of thousands of devotees from all over the U.S gathered at the Sikh Temple Tiara Buena to participate in the 39th Annual Sikh Parade here to mark the 309th Coronation Day of Guru Granth Sahib on Nov 4. The three-day festival which began on Nov 2, is the biggest Sikh event in the US. The Nagar Kirtan or Sikh religious procession was the culmination of the...

DOWNEY,CA - With over 160 participants, a sold out audience were entertained and taken down memory lane at Shree Ramkabir Mandir’s annual Diwali program, on Nov 18, at the Civic Theatre, here. The program, ‘Ek Yaadgar’ Safar, was opened in style by none other than the legendary cricket batsman Sunil Gavaskar. He delivered an eloquent and stirring address, using metaphors and examples from his illustrious cricketing career, to highlight the importance of family, cultural values, 

BUENA PARK, CA - Lights, flames and candles radiated very brightly as Bandi Chhor Diwas was celebrated at Gurdwara Singh Sabha here on Nov 7. The celebrations included kirtan by Raagis and plenty of food and sweets prepared by the sangat. Thousands of devotees participated in the festivities by paying obeisance to the Guru Granth Sahibji and doing voluntary work in the community kitchen.

CHINO HILLS,CA - A glittering array of twinkles filled the night as traditional candles or ‘divos’ were lit by devotees. Offering his prayers to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Mahant Swami Maharaj, guru and President of BAPS, prayed for devotees around the world for continued personal, and professional growth in this new year. He used the occasion of Diwali to remind individuals and families about the importance of leading spiritually-centric lives, grounded in strong values and increased attachment to God.

BY A STAFF REPORTER
NORWALK, CA – Indo American Senior Heritage hosted their  annual  Diwali gala at Sanatan Dharma Temple, here on Nov 15 with around 300 in attendance. President of IASH, Jiten Patel welcomed all guests and dignitaries. Emcee for the evening was Jagdish Purohit, Vice President of IASH.  The entertainment started with a devotional prayer by Mosami Shah followed by...

​NORWALK,CA - Gujarati Society of Southern California (GSSC) had an exciting evening filled with Diwali celebrations at the Sanatan Dharma Temple here on Nov 11. Three outstanding singers of Gujarat kept the guests entertained. They were the family of Shyamal  & Gargi with their daughter Megha Bhatt. Shyamal and Gargi captured the audience of more than 200 guest with their melodious voices never heard before in Los Angeles. Their selection of Bollywood songs were from the years 1960 to 1990.