Archives Timeline Stories
Barren Land to Spiritual Abundance
On 8 February 1982, after performing Bhumi Puja to sanctify the 24-acre land of the remote, dry, and poor Ellayapalli village in the Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh, Gurudev signaled its transformation into a spiritual haven. The Chinmayaranyam Ashram became the site for a Telugu Sandeepany with its first Vedanta Course ably led by Swamini Saradapriyananda, one of the foremost disciples of Gurudev. At Chinmayaranyam, spiritual learning blossomed, fragrant with great seva (service) and uplifting worship.
Scriptures at Sidhbari
Sandeepany Himalayas (HIM) in the serene, sacred Sidhbari, commenced its first two-year Vedanta Course in Hindi after a memorable inaugural ceremony on 25-26 April 1981. Located between Dharamsala and the Yol Cantonment in the lush Kangra Valley, crowned by the snowcapped Dhauladhar mountains, Sidhbari presented an ideal and serene setting for Gurudev’s vision to take shape. The landmark Hindi Vedanta course was taught by Brahmachari Vivek Chaitanya, who later became Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda.
A Miraculous Bypass Surgery
During His tour in the United States in 1980, it was discovered that Gurudev had more than 80% blockage of His four main arteries. He was immediately flown to St. Luke’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, Houston, where the renowned Dr. Denton Cooley and his team successfully operated on Gurudev, reviving and strengthening his heart for the sacred work ahead. The doctors wondered how He had carried on so long with such cardiac damage.
Kindling Vedanta in the West
On 7 November 1979, Chinmaya Mission West (CMW) inaugurated its first Vedanta Course outside India (1979–81), with about forty-two students, at Krishnalaya Ashram in Piercy, California - the first property acquired by CMW. Gurudev fondly called it the “Sandeepany of the West.” Set amidst the serene beauty of Northern California, between the coastal mountains and towering redwoods with the Eel River flowing nearby, the ashram has since blossomed into a spiritual sanctuary.
The Temple of the Healer
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 the poison (vasanas) into our life stream. Let us revere and worship Him whose Grace blessed us all, who is the Deenabandhu.”
Mission in the West - CMW & CPW
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 founded as a separate nonprofit to meet the increasing demand for Gurudev’s books and publications, later becoming the publication division of CMW.
Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK)
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 as the headquarters. That forum became Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) to emphasize that its main goal was its spiritual potential and not political affiliation.
Jetsetting Vedanta with Global Tours
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) captivated audiences and opened new doors of understanding for seekers worldwide.
Launch of Balvihar Magazine
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 to create a greater world out of what our parents have given us now.” Since then, the pages of Balvihar have enriched countless children with joyful creativity, noble values, light-hearted moments, and knowledge both sacred and secular.
Chinmaya Nursery Schools
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 for a holistic outlook on life from a young age.