Chinmaya Mission Study Groups are small, dedicated gatherings of spiritual seekers who meet regularly to study, reflect and live the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. These groups that typically consist of 5 to 15 members, foster collective enquiry and inner transformation through the study of scriptural texts, guided by the teachings of Swami Chinmayananda and Chinmaya Mission Acharyas.

Study Groups began in 1952 when inspired listeners from Swami Chinmayananda’s early Jnana Yajnas in Pune and Chennai started meeting regularly to reflect on the Scriptures. Emphasising the importance of systematic reflection (Mananam), Gurudev encouraged this practice to internalise spiritual knowledge. A year later, the first formal Study Group was formed in Chennai, marking the beginning of Chinmaya Mission as an organised movement. Today, these groups have grown into a global network of seekers, united in the pursuit of self-knowledge.

Devi Groups, introduced in 1958, are Study Groups exclusively for women. Created with Gurudev’s blessings, they offer a nurturing space for scriptural study, devotional practices and cultural upliftment. Together, Study Groups and Devi Groups serve as the grassroots foundation of Chinmaya Mission’s enduring vision: a spiritually awakened society, grounded in timeless values.