Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 108th Jayanti was celebrated with great joy at Chinmaya Degree College, Haridwar, on 8 May 2024. The celebrations started with the lighting of the lamp, garlanding and floral tribute to Gurudev by the Chief Guest, Mr. Anil Kapoor (Former Director, HR, B.H.E.L.), Chairman – Col. Rakesh Sachdeva, Sadhana Sachdeva, Principal of the College – Dr. Alok Agarwal and Director Self Finance Scheme – Dr.Vaishno Das Sharma.

The programme was organized by the students of the college. They worked wholeheartedly for almost a week to ensure the event is a big success. The programme’s main ceremony was Shri Guru Paduka Puja. The college students beautifully chanted the 108 names of Pujya Gurudev. Aarti was done and it was followed by a cultural programme. Short plays were presented by the students about the great saints of India (Sant Tukaram, Sant Kabir Das and the great Upanishadic thinker Gargi). The plays were captivating and excellently dramatised. The joyous celebrations were meaningful and reflective. The whole event was choreographed to honour the life and legacy of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

As attendees gathered to pay homage to Gurudev’s vision, wisdom and profound spiritual insights, the atmosphere was filled with reverence and gratitude for the transformative impact Gurudev had on countless lives. The biography of Pujya Gurudev was narrated by Chhavi Bhatia (student of B.Sc, Maths) in which she brought to the fore that throughout his lifetime, he devoted his whole life propagating the timeless teachings of Vedanta, advocating self-discovery, inner transformation, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Pujya Gurudev’s legacy lives on through the hearts and minds of those who continue to be inspired by his teachings.

The Chief guest Mr. Anil Kapoor, paid reverential tribute to Gurudev’s foresight, knowledge and unwavering commitment toward spiritual upliftment and the hope that the deep influence of revered Gurudev will always remain in humankind. The Principal Dr. Alok Agarwal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who participated in and contributed to make the event a great success. He also said that Pujya Gurudev’s teachings will continue to illuminate our path and inspire us to live with wisdom, compassion and selflessness.

The Chairman, Col Rakesh Sachdeva (Veteran – Indian Army) reminiscing about Gurudev, recounted the objects of the Chinmaya Education Movement and urged everyone to rededicate themselves to follow the motto SERVICE BEFORE SELF and perform their Duties with absolute integrity and devotion.

The event was concluded with the Chinmaya Mission Pledge and National Anthem.

Chinmaya Mission Trichy celebrated the 108th Chinmaya Jayanti by doing 108 Paduka Pujas in different houses, including short talks about Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. 108 pujas were completed in April and these are continuing on popular demand!

Chinmaya Mission Trichy also screened “On A Quest ” the biopic on the life of Swami Chinmayananda, for the students on 25 March 2024 at National College. Members of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) prepared questions for an online quiz which was conducted after the movie. Cash awards were given to the top three scorers. The response and feedback of the students was good.

To further mark the milestone, a summer camp was conducted from 15 April to 17 April 2024, combining Shri Ramanavami and the 108th Chinmaya Jayanti. The camp, titled “Vande Ramam Vande Gurum” was conducted at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Trichy. The 3-day programme was from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. 144 students attended. On the 3rd day all the students did Gurudev Paduka Puja. Their chanting of “Om Shri Chinmaya Satgurve Namah” vibrated across the whole venue. “On A Quest “was also screened for the summer camp students and a quiz was conducted on it, in which the children participated enthusiastically.

The workshop also addressed quality of thoughts, emphasizing its role in improving mental health and quality management. Br Divakar motivational insights inspired participants to address their passions and cultivate a positive mindset. The workshop was a transformative experience for all participants.

Chinmaya Mission Philippines have made a series of videos as a loving tribute for Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 108th Jayanti.

This is the link to the compiled videos:

https://youtu.be/R_hxGhP5N8U

A very special song about Pujya Gurudev has been written, composed and sung by Shriram Iyer (CM Australia), to commemorate the grand occasion of the 108th Jayanti of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. A dedication unto Him. The lyrics and translation are in the description of the video:

https://youtu.be/hE8saKQu7wM

Chinmaya Mission South Africa recently hosted its annual flagship community event, ‘Samarpanam’, at the Kendra Hall, to celebrate the 108th Birth Anniversary of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, 20th century spiritual revolutionary. With a vibrant confluence of soulful music, classical dance, and a sumptuous dinner for all participants, the cultural evening was one to remember for a long time. In the presence of Swami Abhedananda (Chinmaya Mission South Africa) and Her Excellency Dr Anasuya Boligarla (Director, Swami Vivekananda Culture Centre, Indian Consulate, Durban), ‘Samarpanam 2024’ manifested as a beautiful platform of expressing gratitude to Pujya Gurudev, and a means to take the glory and vision of Chinmaya Mission to the masses. The evening also became a landmark occasion that put forth Chinmaya Mission South Africa’s visionary ‘Nourish to Flourish’ project to the entire Durban community; an initiative that aims to feed 2000+ underprivileged families and children across Durban, every single day, totally free of cost, starting later this year.

Celebrated Kathak dancer Manesh Maharaj, and the Carnatic maestro Karthiegasen Pillay along with their talented co-artistes, gave stellar performances and made the event enjoyable for all attendees.

Over 450 people from across the city participated in the event, including principals of schools with underprivileged students, heads of civic associations and NGOs, representatives of religious organisations, media professionals, owners and suppliers of grocery stores, among many others.

Chinmaya Mission SA was humbled to achieve this feat of bringing diverse populations together for unparalleled celebration, inspiration, and transformation, and a pledge for ‘each one, to feed some’ – to create a legacy of compassion, contributing to the upliftment of our brothers, sisters and future generations.

Around 50 children participated in a programme teaching Humility from Valmiki Ramayana, at Kendughati Village, Lathikata, Odisha

Activities Conducted:

· Talk on how to negotiate, based on Valmiki Ramayana

· Local folk dance by village children

· Various competitions organised, like quiz, games, drawing

· Prize and prasad distribution

90 children participated in the Veer Hanuman camp at Lathikata, which included a talk on the life of Veer Hanuman by Swami Kevalananda, practicing Yoga for daily life under the guidance of Swamini Rishipriyananda, games and local folk dance.

Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad organized a Jnana Yajna on “Rama Doota Hanuman” from 18 April to 22 April 2024, by Brahmacharini Anupama Chaitanya. Brni. Various inspiring incidents from Valmiki Ramayana & Tulsi Ramayana were covered, as well as an explanation of how a bhakta can serve the Lord and ultimately become one with HIM. The talks were held in the Paramdham Ashram lawns and were well received by the audience. The programme was concluded with a Hanuman Puja on 23 April for Hanuman Jayanti and chanting of Sunderkand in the evening.

Under the guidance of Swami Avyayananda, Chinmaya Mission Gurugram celebrated Chaitra Navratri (Vasant Navratri) in a grand manner with religious fervour and devotion from 9 April to 17 April 2024.

The activities during the period included worshipping and chanting Durga Kavach and Arati on all the nine days in the Centre’s temple.

The hall on the third floor was set for the daily Parayana from Tulsi Ramayana with the help of a team of musicians and singers. The altar was majestically decorated with magnificent jewellery, flowers and the beautiful attire of Bhagavan.

The highlight of the festivity was when Bala Vihar children dressed up as Shri Rama and Mata Sita. They sang Rama Bhajans and also performed Arati.

These nine devotional days brought peace, bliss and filled the hearts of all devotees with true yajna spirit, with all working with the feeling of oneness to bring maximum happiness.

On 17 April “Rama Janma” was celebrated with Puja, Kirtan, Bhajan, followed by Bhandara. The new year was also welcomed with a prayerful beginning.

The nine days reinforced existing relationships and also created new bonds amongst devotees, enabling them to walk on the spiritual journey ahead together!