Chinmaya Mission Orlando was honored to host Swami Bodhatmananda from Jan 15 to 21, 2017. Swamiji arrived on the morning of Sunday, Jan 15 and was given a ceremonial welcome by Balavihar children and other devotees. He started his visit by addressing all the children during the morning assembly before they dispersed to their respective Balavihar classes and then delivered two talks on Hamsa Geeta. During the following week, the schedule consisted of morning talks on Mandukya Karika (Advaita Prakarna) and evening discourses on Hamsa Geeta. By mixing in humor and anecdotes, Swamiji was able to explain even abstract concepts in a manner that was well appreciated by the audience and accordingly, both talks drew a large throng of devotees. Swamiji also held a special session with CHYKs and high school children wherein he offered practical advice targeted toward their particular stage in life and also dealt with questions posed by some of the children. It was a homecoming of sorts for Swamiji since he began his spiritual journey as a seeker many years ago in this very center!

The devotees in Ahmedabad were blessed with three auspicious days of festivities in the divine presence of Pujya Guruji, Swami Swaroopananda and Swamini Vimalananda. A grand festival of Kumbhabhishekam, Praan Pratishthaa and Inauguration of a Temple as well as a Spiritual Landmark of Ahmedabad was organized under the guidance of Br. Atharvana Chaitanya from 16^th to 18^th January 2017. A series of talks by Pujya Guruji, Swami Swaroopananda and Swamini Vimalananda were also organized in the evenings based on the topics which were in sync with the deities to be enshrined in the Temple.

The festivities began on 16^th January with various Pujas and Homas according to the scriptural injunctions in a huge Yajnamandap by a team of 25 Purohits in the presence of Pujya Swamini Vimalananda and acharyas from various centers of the Mission. Pujas of the idols to be enshrined in the temple were performed by the yajamaans. The chanting of Veda Mantras and Hymns created a sacred environment for the grand welcome of Bhagavan. For devotees and sevaks of Ahmedabad it was a time of realization of a long awaited moment. In the evening, huge audience including heads of spiritual organizations, acharyas of the Mission, prominent personalities, devotees, and sevaks contemplated on the differences & oneness of Shiva-Shakti in a discourse by Pujya Swamini Vimalananda.

On 17^th January, while on one side of the ashram the Pujas and Homas were being performed, the devotees of Ahmedabad welcomed Pujya Guruji and Swami Swaroopananda with Purna Kumbha followed by a Swagat Geet and a dance performance. In the afternoon, Kumbhabhishekam of the idols of Shri Krishna, Shri GangeshwarMahadev, Vanavasi Shri Sita-Rama, Shri Ganapati and Shri Hanuman was performed. The entire ashram complex was in joyous mood as Bhagavan got ready to enter His new abode. Devotees reveled in a melodious satsang with Pujya Guruji on the topic “Tulasi ke Shri Ram” later in the evening.

The final day saw installation of the deities followed by Geeta, Vadya & Nritya Rajopachar by well-known artists. The Kalahsha along with a Garudadhvaja, and Chatra were mounted on the Shikhar. Pujya Guruji then performed the Praana Pratishta of Shri Krishna – the main deity in the temple. The classrooms and Chinmaya vani in the ashram complex were then inaugurated by Pujya Guruji. A musical discourse on “Wo kala ek Bansuri Wala” by Swami Swaroopananda was enjoyed by one and all.

By grace of Bhagavan and blessings of  Guruparampara,the Chinmaya family Ahmedabad experienced three days of sheer bliss and is all geared up now for the next phases of Project ParamDham.

Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad conducted a Balavihar sevak Training on 22^nd January 2017. Guided by Br. Atharvana Chaitanya, a group of 25 enthusiastic sevaks belonging to varied age groups reflected on important questions such as Who is a sevak? Who is the Sevya? and What is Seva? in context of Balavihar activities.

It was highlighted that Seva is not a particular action but it is the attitude with which every action should be performed.  The qualities and special skills required to be imbibed by a Balavihar sevak were explained in detail. Br. Atharvana Chaitanya beautifully explained the significance of threefold Bhakti in a Balavihar sevak. As Bhagavan in the form of Children is our Sevya, our love for Children is Ishwara Bhakti. As Guru imparts knowledge, our love for Knowledge is Guru Bhakti and teaching through Balavihar brings a positive change in the society therefore our love for Teaching is Desha Bhakti. Thus a confluence of Ishwara Bhakti, Guru Bhakti and Desha Bhakti brings out the best in a Balavihar sevak. All were guided to derive strength through unflinching faith in God, in Guru, in Scriptures and in oneself, leading to a positive transformation within and without.

Groups were then formed and sevak were asked to spontaneously come up with ideas to convey a particular value to children – through games, stories, or activities. It was recommended to all sevaks to devote at least 3 hours per week for Balavihar classes, comprising 1 hour of Swadhyaya (Study classes), 1 hour of preparation and one hour for conducting the classes.

Quoting Pujya Guruji, Br. Atharvana Chaitanya pointed out that “God does not see one’s ability or inability but one’s availability”. The training was successfully concluded reminiscing God’s Grace & invoking Pujya Gurudev’s blessings.