Chinmaya Mission Timeline
On 4 May 1997, Guruji inaugurated the CCWU – Chinmaya Centre of World Understanding in Delhi, India. Gurudev had selected that special name for Chinmaya Mission Delhi not just because it was the capital of India; it was a spiritual portal to many places of pilgrimage including Sidhbari and Uttarkashi. Though the physical structure of CCWU came up after Pujya Gurudev’s Mahasamadhi, it was built on His vision to foster greater understanding of the self and the world.
The Central Chinmaya Vanaprastha Sansthan (CCVS), established in early 1998 with the motto “Graceful Aging through Spiritual Living,” was highlighted by Guruji as a key grassroots initiative of the Mission. Headquartered in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), CCVS embodies the vision “A joyous journey towards liberation,” a vision inspired by Gurudev’s early efforts in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, as far back as 1981.
To honor and support the heroes who had defended India under extreme conditions during the Kargil War (May-July 1999), the members of Chinmaya Mission worldwide collected Rs. 63 lakhs and offered that as a “small donation” towards the Army Central Welfare Fund. Guruji presented the amount as a humble “thank you” to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, emphasising that the immense sacrifices of the soldiers were beyond compensation.
When a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Gujarat on 26 January 2001, Chinmaya Mission adopted Bhavpur village where 2,500 residents were left homeless after 500 houses collapsed. Within a month, the Mission built nearly 500 modular row houses using lightweight, corrugated FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) sheets. This material not only allowed rapid construction but also offered greater safety in future earthquakes.
On 14 April 2001, Guruji Swami Tejomayananda dedicated the Chinmaya Heritage Centre to Gurudev’s memory at the Mission’s birthplace – No. 2, 13th Avenue, Harrington Road, Chetpet, Chennai. Spread across 400,000 square feet, this cultural and spiritual landmark was built with deep gratitude. Its many facilities make it a hub for Vedantic learning, and its interactive museum showcases the life and enduring impact of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda and the Chinmaya Mission.
The year 2001 marked 50 years of the Chinmaya Movement that Pujya Gurudev sparked with his first Jnana Yajna in 1951. To celebrate the Swarna Mahotsav (golden jubilee,) Chinmaya Mission commemorated Gurudev’s invaluable contribution to humanity with varied yearlong activities. Then came the finale called Chinmaya Vishwa Sammelan from 24-31 December 2001, in Mumbai. The global Chinmaya family of over 10,000 delegates, inspired with the attitude, “I’m CM – I am Chinmaya Mission,” paid homage to Gurudev with the promise to keep His vision glowing.
On 30 June 2003, Chinmaya Swaranjali, the music wing of Chinmaya Mission began its inspiring journey. Guruji’s simple statement, “I sing for the Lord!” became the vision of Swaranjali’s founding team. True to its name, meaning ‘a musical offering to the divine,’ Swaranjali has since grown into a vibrant, devotional movement. Today, its global members, ranging from trained musicians to music enthusiasts, are united in their shared love for bhakti through the motto: Swara to Ishwara.
Launched on 22 September 2003, with the guidance of Swami Mitrananda, Chinmaya Mission Chennai, the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) aspires to spiritually enrich the generations ahead. The global youth wing, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK), runs this comprehensive program to produce graduates called Yuva Veers through the motto “Learn. Serve. Grow.” As of 2024, 500 Yuva Veers have graduated from 14 batches with the vision of “being firmly rooted in the timeless wisdom of a glorious past, working towards a grand future.”
On 11 June 2005, a representative of Hinduism Today honored Guruji with a saffron shawl and a plaque that read: “Presented by Hinduism Today to Hindu of the Year, 2005, Sri Sri Swami Tejomayananda, spiritual leader of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, for fulfilling the vision of his guru, Swami Chinmayananda, guiding the Chinmaya Mission’s exemplary teaching programs, inspiring the dynamic expansion of the monastic order (including new swamis from the diaspora) and teaching hundreds of thousands to be better Hindus.”
The first phase of the Chinmaya Vibhooti project at Kolwan, Pune (India) was inaugurated on 25 December 2005 after the bhumi puja (ground-breaking ceremony) was completed in October 2004. Situated between Mumbai and Pune, Chinmaya Vibhooti is a 65 acre serene, picturesque spot amid the Sahayadri Mountains. Guruji articulated its threefold aim: to offer Vision, Inspiration, and Practice, enabling people to understand the goal and work towards it – making Chinmaya Vibhooti truly a “VIP centre.”
It was a proud moment for Chinmaya Mission when the national director of Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD), Dr. Kshama Metre popularly known as “Doctor Didi” received the Padma Shri from the then President of India, Smt Pratibha Patil in 2008 for her phenomenal work in Social Services. Inspired by Gurudev, she began her selfless work in Sidbhari, Himachal Pradesh with mother and child health services through 10 sub-centers and training of 120 nurses in 4 batches.
Chinmaya Naada Bindu, the Mission’s residential academy for Indian classical music and dance, was inaugurated on 13 September 2009. In the presence of Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj was the Guest of Honor. Over 1,100 persons, including over 50 acclaimed artists in the fields of music and dance attended this event. Chinmaya Naada Bindu (CNB)’s students are trained by experts to be the artistic ambassadors of Indian Culture across the world.
Taking Vedantic wisdom on-screen to a wider audience, Guruji Swami Tejomayananda conceptualised Upanishad Ganga, a thought-provoking stream of Upanishadic wisdom. The 52-episode series, was first telecast on India’s national television, Doordarshan, from 11 March 2012 to 24 March 2013. Produced by Chinmaya Creations, the creative wing of Chinmaya Mission, in collaboration with Wisdomtree Productions, the series was directed by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi. Hinduism Today described the series as “highly professional, with excellent writing, staging, acting, and cinematography.”
Chinmaya Mangalam, a 143-acre national vision center for North America, was acquired by Chinmaya Mission West (CMW) on 18 August 2014, in Barry, Texas. Set amid expansive wooded surroundings, the well-equipped ranch was envisioned as a hub for national yajnas, spiritual camps, and training programmes. Chinmaya Mangalam can host over 2,000 people and features sustainable design elements, including solar and photovoltaic panels, geothermal wells, and a central biomass furnace.
To commemorate Gurudev’s birth centenary, the biopic “On a Quest” had its global premiere in Chennai, India, on 15 December 2014. The much-acclaimed film, depicts the life and spiritual transformation of Swami Chinmayananda. Produced by Chinmaya Creations, the film is directed by Chinmaya Vidyalaya alumnus R. S. Prasanna, with guidance and screenplay by Swami Mitrananda.
The Chinmaya Birth Centenary Celebrations (CBCC) had a sacred, inspiring momentous start on 6 May 2015 in Ernakulam, Kerala. The Chinmaya Jyoti lit by Guruji was placed in the Chinmaya Sandesh Vahini (CSV), a special van that travelled across India carrying Gurudev’s Padukas along with an inspiring exhibition of His vision and mission. On 8 May 2015, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, released special commemorative ₹100 and ₹10 coins featuring the image of Gurudev.
On 12 April 2016, Guruji Swami Tejomayananda was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan for “distinguished service of a high order” in spiritual and educational work. Guruji received this third highest civilian award from then President Pranab Mukherjee at a Civil Investiture Ceremony in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. With his characteristic humility and devotion, he dedicated the award to Gurudev and Chinmaya Mission.
Conceptualised during Gurudev’s birth centenary year in 2016, Chinmaya Vishwa Vidhyapeeth (CVV) gained its status as a deemed-to-be university in the ‘de novo’ category on 16 January 2017. CVV is a deemed university dedicated to Sanskrit and Indian Knowledge Traditions, including Performing Arts, established under the de novo category to preserve cultural heritage, with campuses at Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) in Veliyanad, Kerala, and Chinmaya Naada Bindu (CNB) in Kolwan, Maharashtra.
After serving as its global head for 23 years, on 19 January 2017, at the Tapovan Auditorium of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai, Guruji Swami Tejomayananda formally handed over the leadership of Chinmaya Mission to Swami Swaroopananda. Guruji expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all during the ceremony. Affirming “Ever in His Service, Ever at His Feet,” he concluded, “This is not a farewell; this is a thanksgiving.”
Chinmaya Sri Vidya Sri Lalitha PanchayatanaTemple, the largest temple to be built by Chinmaya Mission, was inaugurated on the sacred Sankara Jayanti, 20 April 2018. Guruji consecrated the shrine in a large gathering of devotees and acharyas. The 90-foot tall temple with a nine-foot-tall idol of Sri Lalitha Devi as the presiding deity is majestically constructed on a three-acre land on the Tirupati-Kadapa Highway, Andhra Pradesh. The temple architecture blends ancient Chola, Pallava, and Vijayanagara styles.
During the unprecedented Kerala floods in August 2018, Chinmaya Mission responded immediately. From parents and students of Chinmaya Vidyalayas to teachers and staff of CVV and CIF, the Mission joined hands in rescue. Raising donationns globally, Chinmaya Mission helped facilitate evacuations, provided medical aid, and distributed food and essential supplies to those in need.
With 6000 voices chanting “Om” and energising the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, a unique concert on Lord Siva and the environment began on 19 October 2018. Called “Jhabhanga Da Dash,” it marked the first time that six Grammy artists from four countries joined hands to spread the universal message – Vasudhaiva Kutumabakam (the whole universe is one family). The concert was organised by Chinmaya Vidyalaya Chennai to commemorate a golden milestone of 50 years of the Chinmaya Education Movement.
The Dr. Nagendra Singh International Peace Award was awarded to Chinmaya Mission on 24 November 2018, honoring its longstanding work in education, youth empowerment, and rural development. The award was conferred by Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, in a special ceremony hosted by Rastra Nirmaan and the International Goodwill Society of India (IGSI) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Swami Prakarshananda accepted the award on behalf of Chinmaya Mission in front of a select audience of 2000 dignitaries.
Hosted at Sandeepany Sadhanalya, Mumbai ‘Vedanta Ramanam’ camp for over 240 Swamins, Brahmacharins and Sevaks, assembled from different parts of the world. To conduct the camp, Guruji had chosen 15 topics of Vedantic significance – from the Shastra Grantha to Jivanmukti Ananda. Discourses, group discussions, presentations, prayers, and other activities kept the congregation in the realm of deep reflection, practice, and service.
To inspire, connect, and reassure the pandemic-trapped, physically-distanced world, a 24-hour online Hanuman Chalisa chanting programme, Sanjeevan Hanuman, was organised from 7 April 2020 to 8 April 2020, concluding at 9:30 PM IST. On the Hanuman Jayanti day, after Pujya Guruji chanted the Hanuman Chalisa followed by Swami Swaroopananda, devotees from 45 countries chanted fervently, one after another, as 3,25,000 viewed and prayed along.
To fight COVID-19, Chinmaya Mission stood as an army, providing relief in many ways since March 2020. On 8 May 2021, to combat another wave of the pandemic in India, Swami Swaroopananda’s call, “Each One Reach One” stirred everyone to great seva. Widespread efforts to offer support to both the public and the Indian government (Central and State) through testing kits, life-saving medications, diagnostic and life-saving equipment, protective gear, and mental health expertise poured in.
At the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2023, held on Sunday, 15 January, Chinmaya Mission was recognised as the third-highest fundraising NGO among over 250 organisations, raising more than ₹2.56 crore.
The Dream Run of 5.9 km distance was covered by a 100-strong Chinmaya team holding placards and banners highlighting the various activities of CCMT, including education and CVV. Chinmaya Mission also championed multilevel initiatives in women empowerment, healthcare, and environmental conservation.
Released simultaneously on July 30, 2023, at the Mahasamadhi camps in Sidhbari and Chicago, USA, the twin volume-edition of “Discourses on Shri Ramacharitamanasa” by Guruji Swami Tejomayananda was a beautiful offering to Pujya Gurudev in His 108th Jayanti year. The Chinmaya Prakashan team brought out, in English and Hindi, the much-anticipated books based on Guruji’s profound and unforgettable discourses on the Tulsi Ramayana, delivered during an inspiring 27-day retreat at Chinmaya Vibhooti in 2019.
In Sandeepany Himalayas at Sidhbari, in the week of 1 – 8 May 2024, over 200 devotees gathered to celebrate the 108th Chinmaya Jayanti during a special camp on Ishavasya Upanishad by Pujya Swami Swaroopananda who also inaugurated the 14th Hindi Vedanta Course on 1 May. The bhajans on 7 May by schoolchildren of Modern School, Patiala, the moving Paduka Puja on 8 May, the annual traditional Himachali feast, the joyful music and dance of CORD members – all made the 108th Chinmaya Jayanti an endearing memory.
A five-day spiritual celebration, Chinmaya Sankaram was held in Kerala from 8–12 May 2024, commemorating the 108th birth anniversary of Gurudev and the Jayanti of Adi Shankaracharya. The main events included auspicious homas, a unique Sannyasi Sammelan and Yati Puja honoring 108 sannyasis of different traditions, mass chanting of the Gita, Guru Paduka puja, and uplifting speeches from the Chinmaya Guru Parampara.
The 60th anniversary of Chinmaya Mission’s apex body, CCMT (Central Chinmaya Mission Trust), was celebrated on 13 July 2024, in the Saraswati Nilayam Hall of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai. Since its establishment on 10 July 1964, CCMT has coordinated the many growing wings of the mission and overseen the spread of over 350 Chinmaya Mission centers around the world. The 60th anniversary was a celebration of CCMT’s trustees and staff with special recognition of those who served Pujya Gurudev’s mission for more than 20 years.
On the Aradhana Day of Parama Guru Swami Tapovan Maharaj, 16 January 2025, India’s national television network began airing Guruji Swami Tejomayananda’s discourses on the complete Ramacharitamanas (Tulsi Ramayana). The 104 hours of Hindi discourses were serialised into 21-minute episodes for broadcast on Doordarshan.
On 29 January 2025, at the Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chetpet, Chennai, Chinmaya Mission and Sanatana Seva Sangham jointly launched Upanishad Ganga, the acclaimed series (first aired on Doordarshan in Hindi) in multiple languages – Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and English. The translation project, led by the Chinmaya Mission and sponsored by the Sanatana Seva Foundation, aims to make the wisdom of the Upanishads more accessible. The Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, Swami Swaroopananda, presided over the grand release.
On 27 July 2025, the Prime Minister Of India, Shri Narendra Modi released the Tamil versification of the Bhagavad Gita, created by Chinmaya Mission Chennai, as envisioned by Swami Mitrananda. A memorable tribute to Gurudev, the soulful rendition set to powerful music by the legendary music maestro, Ilaiyaraaja is also a great gift to the Tamil diaspora worldwide marking the 75th year of the Chinmaya Movement. The release happened at the ancient Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple in Tamil Nadu.
“Chinmaya Annapoorna,” Africa’s first-ever Sri Chinmaya Annapoorna Devi (Goddess of Nourishment) Temple in Durban, was consecrated on 1 December 2025. On this historic occassion, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi received an ornate Ashtalakshmi Kalasha filled with ‘Shree Anna’ (containing millets from India and South Africa) and offered it back to Swami Abhedananda to be placed in the temple, as a mark of his gracious support and goodwill towards the newly inaugurated Annapoorna Devi Temple and the ‘Nourish to Flourish’ mass feeding project in Durban. PM Modi expressed his appreciation for the good work of Chinmaya Mission and its ongoing spiritual and social initiatives.
Swami Chinmayananda’s powerful call on 23 December 1951, in a small temple at Rasta Peth, Pune, became an eloquent roar of universal Vedanta that launched the Chinmaya Movement. On 31 December 2025, Swami Swaroopananda, in presence of the global Chinmaya family, launched Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav, a year-long celebration marking 75 glorious years of Chinmaya Mission. With the flagging-off of the Chinmaya Amrit Yatra, a 295-day national pilgrimage across the nation, the Mahotsav ushers in year-long celebrations. Samashti Hanuman Chalisa Havans, global chanting of the Gita, and special celebrations will culminate in a global Chinmaya reunion (23-25 October 2026) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.