Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles
Introduction
Prior to the advent of CM Los Angeles’ (CMLA’s) “Kashi” ashram, CM Bala Vihars, Study Groups, and other programs were conducted in different areas of Southern California, from 1982 onward. Jnana yajnas were conducted as and when Swamins and Brahmacharins from other CM centers visited Los Angeles, such as Pujya Swami Purushottamananda, Pujya Swamini Saradapriyananda, Brahmacharini Arpita, and Brahmachari Raghavan (now Swami Shantananda). The latter two also served at CMLA for some time. Study Groups were being conducted in different homes, and festivals were celebrated in rented facilities. For two years, CMLA’s working committee researched and searched land and/or building acquisition options. Finally, at a spiritual camp in San Diego, Pujya Gurudev emphasized the need to acquire some land and start a CM center. It was then that the hand of the Master moved and we found the venue for our center. The initial property was half an acre of land, surrounded by tall, shady trees with dark green leaves. Gurudev named the ashram “Kashi.” In the heart of Anaheim’s bustling community, a mile or so from Disneyland, a children’s playground, arose Kashi, the spiritual playground for Lord Kashi Vishwanath’s children, for Pujya Gurudev’s children. In late 1995, a dynamic and wonderful Brahmachari Someshwar Chaitanya (now Swami Ishwarananda), was posted at CMLA. He conducted classes on Shrimad Bhagavatam and other Vedantic texts. Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda inaugurated Kashi in January 1996. There are three Bala Vihar rooms, a small office, Swamiji’s quarters, a small kitchen, and a bookstall. CMLA’s annual schedule of festival celebrations includes Sudarshana Homa, Mahashivaratri, Rama Navami, Chinmaya Jayanti, Guru Purnima, Chinmaya Mahasamadhi, Janmashtami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Navaratri, Dipavali, and Gita/Tapovan Jayanti. Other actvities include language classes, Gita Chanting Competitions, music and dance classes, and a Chinmaya choir.
Upcoming Events
Resident Acharya
Contact
Rameshwaram 14451 Franklin Avenue
Tustin - CA 92802
California, USA
+1-714-832-7669
losangeles@chinmayamission.org
http://www.chinmayala.org