Deepanboopathy at 01:48, 26 November 2025

2025-11-26T01:48:14Z

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{{Short description|Religious organization}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox organization
| image = Chinmaya Mission Logo.jpg
| alt = Chinmaya Mission
| caption = Logo
| formation = 1951
| extinction = 
| type = Spiritual organization<ref>{{cite web|title=Chinmaya Mission|url=https://chinmayala.org/content/chinmaya-mission|website=Chinmaya Mission Of Los Angeles|publisher=Chinmaya Official Website|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421103840/http://chinmayala.org/content/chinmaya-mission|archive-date=21 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| status = Trust
| purpose = Spirituality, [[Vedanta]]
| headquarters = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| coords = 
| language = 
| leader_title = Headed By
| leader_name = Swami Swaroopananda
| main_organ = Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
| founder = [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]]
| name = Chinmaya Mission
| location = International
| area_served = Worldwide
| website = {{url|http://chinmayamission.com/}}
}}
{{Hinduism}}
The '''Chinmaya Mission''' ({{Langx|sa|चिन्मया मिशन्}}) is a [[Hindu]] religious and spiritual organisation that disseminates [[Vedanta]], the science of the self as described in the [[Vedas]], particularly the [[Upanishads]], and other Hindu scriptures such as the [[Bhagavad Gita]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chinmayala.org/content/chinmaya-mission|title=Chinmaya Mission {{!}} CMLA|website=chinmayala.org |access-date=2017-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421103840/http://chinmayala.org/content/chinmaya-mission |archive-date=21 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cseweb.ucsd.edu/~venkat/Chinmaya%20Mission%20Delhi.htm|title=History of Chinmaya Mission|website=cseweb.ucsd.edu|access-date=2017-04-30}}</ref> Followers of [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]] established the Chinmaya Mission in India in 1953.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-04 |title=Chinmayananda {{!}} Indian spiritual thinker {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chinmayananda |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

The mission was headed by Swami [[Tejomayananda]] and is now headed by Swami Swaroopananda. There are over 313 mission centres all over India and abroad. North America had more than 30 centres.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2059111871.cms today it has over 300 centres across the world..] ''[[Times of India]]'', 25 December 2001.</ref> It is currently administered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT) in Mumbai, India, headed by Swami Swaroopananda.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The Mission|url=http://www.chinmayamission.com/who-we-are/the-mission/|access-date=2020-06-21|website=Chinmaya Mission Worldwide|language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
===Foundation===
Swami [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/on-this-day/8-may-1916-chinmayananda-saraswati-indian-spiritual-leader-was-born|title=8 May 1916: Chinmayananda Saraswati, Indian spiritual leader, was born|website=www.mapsofindia.com|access-date=2017-05-01}}</ref> the founder of Chinmaya Mission, was born in the city of [[Ernakulam]] in present-day [[Kerala]], India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=His Holiness Sri Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati Maharaj – The Divine Life Society |url=https://www.dlshq.org/saints/his-holiness-sri-swami-chinmayananda-saraswati-maharaj/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> Doubting the teachings of the sages in the Himalayas, Balakrishna Menon met [[Swami Sivananda]] ([[Divine Life Society]]), who taught him in spiritual studies and then placed him under the tutelage of Swami Tapovanam ([[Tapovan Maharaj]]), with whom he pursued spiritual studies. He eventually became the teacher known as Swami Chinmayananda.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swami Chinmayananda {{!}} |url=https://www.chinmayamission.com/who-we-are/swami-chinmayananda/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===After Swami Chinmayananda===
After Swami Chinmayananda died in 1993, his disciple [[Swami Tejomayananda]] (known as ''Pujya Guruji'' and previously known as "Sudhakarbhai Kaitwadeji") became the global head of Chinmaya Mission. Under Swami Tejomayananda, projects such as the Chinmaya International Foundation and the Chinmaya International Residential School were taken up.

In January 2017, Swami Tejomayananda assigned the headship of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide to Sri Swami Swaroopananda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinmayauk.org/news/official-handover-pujya-guruji-swami-tejomayananda-watch-live-stream/|title=Official handover by Swami Tejomayananda on 19 January 2017 – watch the live stream Chinmaya Mission UK|website=www.chinmayauk.org|date=19 December 2016 |access-date=2017-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiandownunder.com.au/2016/12/pujay-guruji-swami-tejomayananda-hands-over-the-reins-of-chinamaya-mission-to-swami-swaroopnanada-on-january-19-2017/|title=Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda hands over the reins of Chinamaya Mission to Shri Swami Swaroopnanadaji on January 19, 2017 {{!}} The Indian Down Under|website=www.indiandownunder.com.au|language=en-US|access-date=2017-07-25}}</ref>

==Activities==

The following activities are conducted at mission centers on a weekly basis.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

=== Bala Vihar ===
Bala Vihar is a program in which children from age five to eighteen meet on a weekly basis to learn about Hindu culture, customs, and philosophy. Bala Vihar is a program that is conducted throughout the world, not just in India, but also in countries such as the United States, UK, and Australia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chinmayamission.com/what-we-do/activities/balvihar/|title=Balvihar {{!}} Chinmaya Mission Worldwide|work=Chinmaya Mission Worldwide|access-date=2017-07-25|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indoamerican-news.com/training-teachers-for-a-fulfilling-bala-vihar-at-chinmaya-mission/|title=Training Teachers for a Fulfilling Bala Vihar at Chinmaya Mission {{!}} Indo American News|website=www.indoamerican-news.com|access-date=2017-07-25}}</ref> Some centers also have a version called Sishu Vihar, which is meant for children aged 2 to 4.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

=== Chinmaya Yuva Kendra ===
Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, known as CHYK, is the global youth arm of the Chinmaya Mission. It is meant for youth aged 18–30 and its motto is "Harnessing Youth Potential through Dynamic Spirituality".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chinmayamission.com/what-we-do/activities/chyk/|title=Chinmaya Yuva Kendra {{!}} Chinmaya Mission Worldwide|work=Chinmaya Mission Worldwide|access-date=2017-07-25|language=en-US}}</ref> CHYK conducts many camps and sessions throughout the world. CHYK West is a similar organisation that operates in North America.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

=== Other activities ===
* Study groups for adults
* Chinmaya Vanprastha Sansthan for senior citizens (India and UK)

===Medical facilities===
* Hospital – 1
* Nurses Training Centre – 1
* Diagnostic Centre – 14
* Eye camp in the rural areas – 1
* Adoption of villages for providing social and medical relief – 120
* Senior Citizen Homes – 8
* Income generating schemes for downtrodden women – 1
* Children Welfare Centre – 1
* Goshalas – 4
[[File:Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Pallavur.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Pallavur Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Palakkad, Kerala]]

===Educational field===
* [[Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth]], a liberal University focused on promoting Indian Knowledge Systems, Indian traditions, Indic parampara and [https://www.cvv.ac.in/ interdisciplinary research.] They have established three campuses in Pepathy, Pune, and Warriam Road.
* Chinmaya College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Tripunithura
* Schools (Regular) – 70
* [[Chinmaya International Residential School]] – 1
* [[Harihar]] Schools (Free education & vocational training for downtrodden children for self-sufficiency) – 3
* Colleges – 4
* Degree College – 1
* Chinmaya Institute of Higher Learning – 1
* Chinmaya Heritage Centre – 1
* Value based Vision Programme for schools (Regularly conducted in various parts of India)
* Institute of Management – 1
*Chinmaya Academy for Civil Services

===Rural development===
[[File:A meeting of Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development CORD, at Siruvani, Coimbatore.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A meeting of '''CORD''', at Siruvani, [[Coimbatore]]]]
Chinmaya Mission undertakes activities of Rural Development via its wing [[Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development|Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development (CORD)]]

===Environment related===

Chinmaya Mission, Sikkim Centre has established CHINMAYA SMRITI VANAM at Bulbuley, Gangtok, Sikkim, India, in 1995 and have planted till now more than 10,000 trees sapling most of which have grown now into full trees.{{fact|date=November 2025}}

===Studies in Indology===
* Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF), [[Veliyanad]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Kerala]]{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

===Cultural field===

* Seminars on public speaking for Youth
* Leadership and personality development for youth and adults
* Centre for World Understanding – 1
* ''[[Upanishad Ganga]]'' - 52-part TV series based on Upanishads and Hindu wisdom, conceived by Swami Tejonmayananda <ref name="hinduism">{{cite web | title=Television: Chinmaya Mission Creates a Hit TV Series | website=[[Hinduism Today]] | date=1 April 2014 | url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/april-may-june-2014/2014-04-television-chinmaya-mission-creates-a-hit-tv-series/ | access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref>

==Areas served==
The Chinmaya Mission is active in the whole of India as well as in many communities in Australia, England, New Zealand, Nigeria,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lagosmart.net/chinmaya/Lagos.htm|title=Chinmaya Mission - Nigeria - Chinmaya Foundation Trust|website=lagosmart.net|access-date=2017-05-01|archive-date=14 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814000824/http://lagosmart.net/chinmaya/Lagos.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> South Africa, the United States and other countries.

==See also==
* [[List of Hindu organisations]]
* [[Sivananda Saraswati|Swami Sivananda]]
* [[Dayananda Saraswati (Arsha Vidya)|Swami Dayananda]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Chinmaya Mission}}

* {{Official website|www.chinmayamission.com}}

{{Hindu reform movements}}

[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1953]]
[[Category:Hindu organizations]]
[[Category:Religious organisations based in India]]
[[Category:1953 establishments in India]]

Chinmaya Mission - Revision history

Deepanboopathy at 01:48, 26 November 2025