Chinmaya Mission is commemorating Swami Chinmayananda’s  Birth Centenary with a series of events worldwide. Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra is part of this year-long Chinmayananda  Birth Centenary Celebrations which was launched on 6th May 2015 at Ernakulam by Former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

The Yatra is being organised to reach the message and teachings of Swami Chinmayananda to all parts of India and to touch and inspire people from all walks of life.

Chinmaya Jyotui Yatra reached Sikkim after covering more than 12000 kms. It got got a warm reception on its arrival at Rangpo – the Gateway of Sikkim on 11 Sept 2015.

It was received by Purna Kumbha at Rangpo. Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra convoy consisted of Chinmaya Sandesh Vahini (CSV), a mobile exhibition bus depicting the life and teaching of Swami Chinmayananda.

The people of Rangpo welcomed the Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra. Khadas were offered to Swamiji by the eminent people of the Rangpo Bazar. Students and local gentries attended the welcome function at the Tourist Lodge.

After a brief halt, the Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra continued its journey to Gangtok.

On 12^th Sept 2015, the whole town of Gangtok  was in Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra Festival mood.In the morning, Paduka of Swami Chinmayanandaji was taken in a procession atMahatma Gandhi Road, Gangtok.

At 9 AM, Swami Mitranandaji inaugurated Chinmaya Sandesh Vahini , an Exhibition depicting the life and teaching of Swami Chinmayananda near Titanic park at Gangtok. An estimated more than 5000 people drawn from all walks of life and faiths visited the exhibition till evening.

On the same day, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati who was till now posted at Chinmaya Mission, Boston, USA delivered a talk at Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School on the subject: “ Time and Mind Management” at 11.00 AM. The Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee of TNSSS was organizing this talk event to commemorate its  Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

Swami Chaitanyanada in his discourse explained the students that the mind is a constant flow of thoughts and is very difficult to focus on one particular goal.”The most important principle one can adopt is to work on the mind rather than by the mind. One has to have the remedy to control the turbulent flow of thoughts and learn to develop and manage his mind”

He also shared some solutions and tips on time management saying time once lost never comes back. “ Time and Mind are connected; where the mind is there is time. One should be able to complete one job at a time rather than taking up various jobs and not being able to complete it. The duty always comes first than pleasure.” Swamiji remarked. Later Swamiji held an interactive session with the  students. The Principal of the TSSS Shri Adhikari gave welcome address. The programme was anchored by Shri Nirmal Mangar.

On the same day, Yuvaveer Taruun of Chinmaya Mission, Pune delivered a talk on on” MY TRANSFORMATION TRANSFORMS NATION” in the hall of Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School, Deorali. The principal of the School Smt Lata Chhetri welcomed the visiting Yuvaveer who inspired the students with his thought provoking talk. The students got inspired to Transform themselves to Transform India.

Similarly, a Talk series was organized at Kanchi Kamakothi Shiv Mandir complex at Jalipool, opposite SNT Workshop, where Swami Chaitanyananda gave a talk on  “Explore your infinite potential ” Bal Vihar childrens, their parents, spiritual seekers of Ranipool area attended the programme in large numbers.

The attraction of the programme at Jalipool was the Mobile Planetorium which was visited by a large number of visitors to understand the topic ‘‘Art of God Symbolism’.

Again, on the same day,i.e, 12^th September 2015, the main programme of Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra took place at Sikkim Manipal Univesity’s auditorium at Tadong, Gangtok where more than 800 seekers of truth attended the programme.

Swami Mitranandaji who also happens to be the Director of All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra gave a TALK on “ Empowerment to Excel”.  Students drawn from different schools, colleges of Gangtok and around, faculty members from all the three Universities  namely Sikkim University, Vinayak Mission Sikkim University, ICFAI University and also local gentries of the town attended the programme.

Swami Mitranadaji announced that Chinmaya Mission is setting up a University to link Vedanta- the ancient science with the modern science for the benefit of mankind.

The programme was chaired by His Excellency, The Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil as Chief Guest.

In his address Swami Mitranandaji encouraged youngsters to empower themselves enough to take the best use of wonderful opportunities coming in their life. He encouraged young people to live upto their potential to make difference in their life. He further encouraged them to think big to achieve big.

Swami Mitrananda stressed that young minds  need to think big with a vision. He further motivated youths to change their thinking to bring improvement in the society.

In his address as Chief Guest the Governor stated that it was the need of the time that the scale and scope of knowledge from the glorious past which made Bharat as Viswa Guru, be refurbished and revived with the scientific approach and power of reasoning. “ It is hightime to let our youth realize that our Vedas, Upanishads and other spiritual texts are not merely the mythological texts, but the fountain of knowledge.” he expressed.

His Excellency, the Governor also spoke on the life, contributions and missions of Swami Chinmayananda. While mentioning the works of Chinmaya Mission,he appreciated that Chinmaya Mission with its many wings and branches spread across the globe have been able to accomplish the core objectivity of its visionery founder to a great extent.

He mentioned that the country will remain indebted to the great deeds and sacrifices made by Swami Chinmayanada.

His  Excellency, The Governor also appreciated the initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for honouring Swami Chinmayananda by releasing recently  2 coins featuring Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda in denominations of Rs. 100 and Rs. 10 on Swamiji’s birthday on May 8th 2015 to commemorate the Birth Centenary Year of Swami Chinmayananda.

Earlier, the programme started with the welcome address by Chinmaya Mission-Sikkim,Vice President, Shri Ganesh Kumar Pradhan. The programme was conducted by Sagar Mani Dhakal and ended with vote of thanks by SK Sarda, General Secretary, Chinmaya Mission, Sikkim Centre.

The programme was attended by Chinmaya Mission President Shri C P Dhakal, SMU Vice Chancellor Brig Dr Somnath Mishra, SMIMS Dean Air Marshall G S Juneja along with  more than 700 people comprising   teachers, lecturers, students and local gentries. The programme ended with National Anthem.

In the evening, Sikkim Police Band presented music at M G Road,Gangtok where thousands of people witnessed the Paduka Puja.

The Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra was given a warm farewell at Rangpo,border town between Sikkim and West Bengal on 13.9.2015 in the early hours of the day.