Chinmayaranyam, Ellayapalle

The Chinmayaranyam ashram at Ellayapalle in Andhra Pradesh, India was proclaimed by Swami Chinmayananda as a new kind of ashram, where the poor and needy would be served with love and affection. True to its motto, "Receive the light of Knowledge. Bring out the heat of action," Chinmayaranyam has done tremendous work for the upliftment of the rural poor in that region.

The project was spearheaded by Swamini Saradapriyananda (who attained mahasamadhi on April 17 2000), one of Swami Chinmayananda's foremost direct disciples. As the driving force behind Chinmayaranyam and its activities, she conquered one and all with her selfless, tireless service and unconditional love.

'Amma' as she was lovingly called, had received a piece of barren land in a burial ground donated by the villagers for establishing an ashram in a remote village in the drought prone Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh. Gurudev's first visit to this place on 8th February 1982 was to conduct the Bhoomi puja. The village had two wells, of which one was dry and the second would go dry any moment. Against this background Swamiji was visualizing a forest around the Ashram, which to many appeared to be a dream. Pointing out with his walking stick to two banyan trees, standing on either side of the land, Swamiji said, "Dig along the line that connects the two trees. Water is sure to come." Water did sprout forth from the well when it was dug.

Chinmayaranyam has now been transformed into a beautiful green ashram. In recognition of this work the government granted the ashram a hillock surrounding it for development.

Activities

• Chinmayaranyam is one of the Vedanta Institutes of Chinmaya Mission. The Vedanta Course taught in Telugu was started in 1982 and till now has trained 25 Acharyas who are serving various Chinmaya Mission centres and ashrams
• Vedanta camps are held regularly through the year.
• Satyakama Mandir is a home for poor and orphaned children from the surrounding villages. There are about 100 children presently. Besides education, all the basic needs of the children including food, clothing, and health are taken care of by the ashram.
• Harihar and High school, which is run by the Ashram, educates the children of the surrounding villages. Presently there are over 300 children including the children of the Satyakama Mandir. The children are provided with midday meals and an evening snack.
• Hari Seva in which over 180 old destitutes are provided with a midday meal every Saturday and given enough rice to help them through the week.
• Homeo clinic serves the needs of the community who prefer alternative medicare.
• Free dispensary offers medical treatment to the villagers from around the area.
• Rural Welfare activities are carried out, like construction of permanent houses for the poor, digging bore wells, laying drinking water pipelines and conducting medical camps. Special training is imparted to women in micro-banking and running Self Help Groups. Training in different self-employment programmes are given through the Sarada Vocational Centre.
• Matru Mandir is the samadhi sthal housing Amma's Samadhi.

Chinmayaranyam, Trikoota

A number of the projects and activities at Ellayapalle were replicated by Amma in Trikoota.

The ashram houses the Sri Vishveshwara Swami temple and the Dhyana Mandir, which has an idol of Pujya Gurudev.

Dharmaveera course is a unique one year exposure to spirituality, religion and ashram life for the youth which complements their academics. 10 batches have completed the course.

Regular camps are held for adults and children all through the year

Chinmaya Sarada Tapovan

It is a spiritual retreat on the seashore. Its unique features are three month courses for senior citizens and regular camps for children.

Chinmaya Geeta Ashram

Donated by a Sadhu, the ashram near Renigunta serves as a focal point for services to the surrounding villages. Regular camps are held through the year.

Chinmaya Yoga Ashram

In the solitary hush of natural caves renunciates can retreat into their inner world. A great place to do one's sadhana. Regular camps held throughout the year.

Presently the entire Chinmayaranyam group of Ashrams is headed by Swamini Seelananda.

Contact:

www.chinmayaranyam.com

Chinmayaranyam

Chinmayaranyam, Trikoota

Chinmaya Sarada Tapovan

Chinmaya Geetha Ashram

Chinmaya Yoga Ashram