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 200 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. Groups continue to meet regularly throughout the year.
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 2 six-day jnana yajnas.
In 2008, an additional Bala Vihar opened in Gwinnett County at Berkmar High School to reach and serve a wider area in metro Atlanta. CM Acharyas are being continuously invited to visit, inspire, and teach spiritual
texts through jnana yajnas.
Hari Om.
