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Ganga Aarti on the Thames
Organised by Chinmaya Mission UK in partnership with Totally Thames as part of the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav, the landmark event, Ganga Aarti on the Thames brought the centuries-old Hindu tradition of Ganga Aarti to the heart of London.
Spiritual leaders and representatives from across Hindu traditions came together, while people of all backgrounds were welcomed to participate in a spirit of gratitude, unity and reverence for nature.The sacred ceremony brought together spiritual leaders and representatives from Anoopam Mission, Arsha Vidya UK, BAPS Swaminarayan, Brahma Kumaris, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, International Vedanta Society UK and Parmarth Niketan. Blessings and messages were also received from Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SMRD) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). The event was attended by diplomatic and civic guests, including His Excellency Periasamy Kumaran, High Commissioner of India to the UK.
200 Days of Chinmaya Amrit Yatra
Carrying Gurudev’s legacy across Bharat, the Chinmaya Amrit Yatra completed 200 days, journeying across states, the Yatris reached thousands of students and communities. Sharing the timeless message of the Bhagavad Gita, the Yatra connected with youth and people of all ages, inspiring them to discover the relevance of Vedanta and the Gita in everyday life.
Chinmaya Mission Sets a Guinness World Record
During the global initiative Chinmaya Gita Samarpanam, held on 9 May 202, Chinmaya Mission set a Guinness World Record for the Most People Chanting Online Simultaneously, with 8,277 verified participants from across the world coming together to chant Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita as part of the global Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
Samashti Gita Chanting: Singing the Lord’s Song
Throughout the year, at various events across India and around the world, thousands of devotees came together for the Samashti Gita Chanting programme, chanting the 15th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Purushottama Yoga, in unison.
Revered for encapsulating the essence of Vedantic wisdom, Chapter 15 became a unifying thread connecting Chinmaya Mission centres and communities worldwide. With one voice and one spirit, devotees came together to chant the Lord’s song.
Hanuman Chalisa Havans: An Invocation of Devotion and Strength
The Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav celebrations began across the world with Samashti Hanuman Chalisa Havan, a collective spiritual invocation marking 75 years of the Chinmaya Movement.
Across centres in India and around the world, children, youth and elders joined in chanting the Shri Hanuman Chalisa in one unified voice. Immersed in a deeply devotional atmosphere, the gatherings resonated with musical recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa, creating a powerful and uplifting experience of collective prayer.
The havans also marked significant milestones, with some centres hosting among the largest such gatherings in their regions, including Australia and South Africa. Through the sacred chanting and yajna, devotees across centres united in reverence, invoking the spirit of dynamic service and fearless faith embodied by Shri Hanuman.
Gita Panchamrit: 5 Shlokas, 1 Essence
At the heart of the 75-year celebration has been the Gita Panchamrit, 5 select verses of the Bhagavad Gita, providing a concise, powerful doorway into the wisdom of the Gita. The very theme, “5 Shlokas. 1 Essence”, captures its purpose: to make the Bhagavad Gita simple, accessible and deeply relevant for everyone.
Launched on the occasion of Gita Jayanti 2025, the initiative aims for every individual to learn and memorise these essential five verses. In an age where information overwhelms but inner strength seems scarce, these five verses become an anchor.
Circling Back: Rasta Peth, Pune
Chinmaya Amrit Yatra’s first stop was the Harihar Bhajan Samaj Madrasi Ganapati Mandir at Rasta Peth, reconnecting the movement to its sacred origins.
Circling back to its origins, the Chinmaya Mission with Chinmaya Amrit Yatra came full circle. Returning to where it all began - Rasta Peth, Pune, where Swami Chinmayananda delivered His first Jnana Yajna from 31 December 1951, marking 75 years of the Chinmaya Movement. Addressing just a handful of seekers, His stirring voice soon gathered thousands, igniting a spiritual renaissance. The historic 100-day Kenopanishad Jnana Yajna that followed became a saga par excellence, laying the foundation for a global movement that continues to spread Vedanta through talks, study groups, camps and Centres worldwide.
Humble Gratitude to Kargil Heroes
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.
Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Launch
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.
Bhagavad Gita in Tamil
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.