Chinmaya Mission Timeline
In March 1978, Gurudev consecrated a beautiful temple in Indira Nagar, Bangalore (now Bengaluru). Called Deenabandhu Devasthanam, the temple’s main deity is a captivating black granite idol of Lord Krishna in the Kaliya Mardhana pose. Gurudev revealed the symbolism: “Krishna is dancing on the serpent (the ego), which spits forth…Read More
To unify the rapidly growing Chinmaya Mission centres in the United States with a common vision and structure, Gurudev established an apex coordinating body – Chinmaya Mission West (CMW). It was incorporated as a nonprofit in the San Francisco Bay Area in August 1975. Alongside, Chinmaya Publications West (CPW) was…Read More
In May 1975, Gurudev lay foundation for Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK). From 20-27 May 1975, for the first time in a Gita Jnana Yajna, there was a special spiritual camp for youth and students. An important outcome of the camp was the formation of a Chinmaya Youth Forum with Bangalore…Read More
On 21 March 1970, Gurudev suffered his first heart attack in Mysore. Yet, undeterred, he resumed his mission, undertaking two intense world tours. These, his fourth and fifth global tours, carried him over 11,000 miles across the Middle East and Western countries, where his powerful ‘Chalk Talks’ (Vedanta in classrooms)…Read More
To connect the children across the world with love, learning, and laughter, a children’s international monthly magazine called Balvihar was released by Gurudev in November 1969. He wrote in the inaugural issue: “We shall, through this journal, build bridges of love and understanding between children everywhere, and we shall learn…Read More
In the bustling city of Bombay (Now Mumbai), another “preschool with a difference,” the 18th Chinmaya Nursery School opened at Kemps Corner. Following an earlier school started in Worli, Mumbai in 1967, at the inauguration, Gurudev was joyfully welcomed by the little children. He reminded the teachers to nurture them…Read More
On the auspicious day of November 10, 1968, Lord Siva was ceremonially invoked at the inauguration of the majestic Jagadeeshwara temple on the top of a hillock in the tranquil grounds of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai. Gurudev with his scriptural knowledge, guided the inauguration and installation ceremony. The Kalasha Puja with…Read More
To address the challenges of distance, time, and access, Gurudev launched the postal tuition course on the fundamentals of Vedanta in 1966. This course laid the foundation for the many long-distance learning programs developed by Chinmaya Mission in the years to come. Remarkably, until His Mahasamadhi, Gurudev personally responded by correspondence…Read More
Guided by Gurudev’s vision for value-based education, the first Chinmaya Vidyalaya was established as a nursery school in Kollengode, Kerala. The Queen of Vengunad, Radha Devi Namboodiripad, generously offered part of her palace grounds, and K.P.S. Menon, former ambassador to Russia, lent his support as a patron. Today, the CCMT…Read More
Gurudev’s first global tour (7 March – 24 June 1965) carried the essence of Hinduism and its universal applicability. He said, “With a heart full of love for all mankind, we undertake this pilgrimage to see Him in all and to show to all, Him who is in the heart…Read More