Chinmaya Mission® was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. Under his guidance, these devotees formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and outside its borders. Administered by Central Chinmaya Mission® Trust in Mumbai, India, the Mission is now headed by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda.

Following the Vedic teacher-taught tradition (guru-shishya parampara), Chinmaya Mission® makes available the ageless wisdom of Vedanta, the knowledge of the one Reality, and provides the tools to realize that wisdom in one’s life. “To give maximum happiness to the maximum number of beings for the maximum amount of time” is the tenet that drives Mission workers to uplift humanity beyond selfish and sectarian attitudes and activities. Each person’s gain is manifold: personal growth, heightened efficiency, contentment, and the ability to live with others in peace and harmony. For more information, see Chinmaya Mission: Transforming Lives.

There are over 250 CM centers in India, and over 50 outside of India. The Mission’s various activities and projects include:

• Jnana Yajnas (Vedanta lecture series, seminars, workshops)
• Bala Vihar (Vedanta forums for children and youth)
• Yuva Kendra (CHYK: Vedanta forums for university students and young professionals)
• Study Groups (Vedanta forums for adults)
• Devi Group (Vedanta study and discussion forums for ladies)
• Spiritual Retreats and Camps
• Intensive Vedanta Courses (training for CM acharyas—a monastic order of swamis and brahmacharis)
• Publications
• Regional Centers
• Temples and Shrines
• Schools and Colleges
• Medical Services and Training
• Rural Village Development Projects
• Pitamaha Sadans (Senior Citizen Homes)
• Management Courses and Services
• Research in Sanskrit and Indology

Chinmaya Mission Atlanta was formally established in January 1994 by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, Head of Central Mission® Worldwide. When Pujya Guruji conducted a three-day jnana yajna during his 1994 visit, inspired CM devotees requested Pujya Guruji to bless Georgia with a CM center, and thus, CM Atlanta was formed as an unincorporated center of Central Mission® West. The assigned officers were: President Dr. G.V. Raghu, Vice President Dr. Vasudev Kulkarni, and Secretary/Treasurer Ratna Sreeram. The center began with 25 families.

CM activities had commenced in 1992 with Chinmaya Bala Vihar classes at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta. Acharya Darshana Nanavaty (CM Houston) conducted a weekend training workshop for Bala Vihar teachers. Under the banner of CM Atlanta, Bala Vihar classes continue at the temple to date, benefiting over 35 families.

After attending Pujya Guruji’s Dharma Sevak Course at Piercy, CA in July 1998, Dr. G. V. and Geetha Raghu started a CM Devi Group and Adult Study Group in August 1998. Both these groups continue to meet regularly throughout the year. Bala Vihar classes were started in August 1999 in Warner Robins with 22 children divided into two classes and growing interest.

In 1998, Acharya Darshana Nanavaty returned to conduct a refresher course for Bala Vihar teachers and helped them gain more knowledge and confidence. Brahmacharini Aparna Chaitanya (CM Miami) was invited in January 2000 to conduct a weekend children’s program and talks for adults on meditation and Shrimad Bhagavatam.

Pujya Guruji visited and blessed CM Atlanta over the years with a six-day family camp and a six-day jnana yajna.

Today, CM Atlanta has seven Bala Vihar classes with seven teachers. With over 110 children and rapidly growing demand, CM activities are blossoming in various areas, especially through our sister organization of CM Alpharetta. More CM acharyas are being invited to visit, inspire, and teach spiritual texts through jnana yajnas.

Hari Om.
(As of July 2007)