Gita Panchamrit is a Chinmaya Mission 75th year (CM75) milestone initiative to awaken love and reverence for Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in every heart. Centered on a thoughtfully curated collection of five essential verses from the Bhagavad Gita, this year's Chinmaya Mission San Diego Summer Camp, guided by Smt. Lakshmi Sukumar, embraced this inspiring initiative, offering young participants an opportunity to discover the Gita's timeless wisdom through age-appropriate discussions, reflection, engaging activities and practical application in their daily lives.

Over the five-day journey from 29 June to 3 July, the entire ashram was transformed into a vibrant setting to welcome the Lord. From the beautifully adorned altar to the melodious chanting of Acyutashtakam and devotional bhajans, every detail contributed to a sacred atmosphere. Creative activities, including crafting a lotus with Shri Krishna at the centre and making delicate flutes adorned with a peacock feather, were thoughtfully designed to kindle devotion and inspire joyful participation. The offering of delicious panchamrit as naivedyam completed the immersive experience, engaging all five senses and fostering a deeper appreciation of the Lord and His teachings.

The camp was lovingly dedicated by the team to Swami Tejomayananda on the occasion of his 76th birthday, celebrated on 30 June, 2026. She shared inspiring stories and reflections on Guruji's life and teachings, followed by a heartfelt rendition of “Marugelara O Raghava” by Aditi Puttur and a special Janmadinam song offered in Guruji's honour, invoking his blessings.

Before introducing each of the five verses of Gita Panchamrit, Smt. Lakshmi painted a vivid picture of the significance of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and how Gita Panchamrit beautifully distills its essential message. Each verse was then thoughtfully presented over the five-day camp to children ranging from Grade 1 through Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, using stories, anecdotes, discussions and hands-on activities that made its teachings accessible, relatable and inspiring.

It was heartening to see even the youngest campers grasp the simple message of the verses and express their understanding in their own innocent and meaningful ways. The older campers especially enjoyed the afternoon discussion sessions with Smt. Lakshmi, where they explored the verses in greater depth, asked thoughtful questions, clarified their doubts and reflected on how the Gita's teachings could guide their own lives.

3 July, 2026, marked the culmination of the five-day journey with arati to the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, followed by a presentation by the campers on their key learnings. Parents were invited to view posters created by the children, reflecting their understanding of the key teachings explored over the five days, along with a display of craft work. The camp thus came to a close with a deepened appreciation for the Gita's timeless wisdom and a sense of connection to its teachings.