Chinmaya Mission Alpharetta Ashram’s twin blessings
H.H. Swami Tejomayananda (right), head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide, during his visit to the new Chinmaya Mission Alpharetta (CMA) ashram.
With the Lord’s grace and the blessings of all Gurus, the new Chinmaya Mission Alpharetta (CMA) ashram “Chinmaya Gurukul” located at 4980 Pittman Rd, Cumming was showered with an abundance of joy and auspiciousness in the month of July.
On July 19, 2015, CMA members as well as others from the community gathered in large numbers to welcome a resplendent Lord Krishna into their new ashram in the form of a beautiful marble idol. Priest Shri Gopal Bhatta from Hindu Temple of Atlanta conducted the auspicious sthapana puja and homam mahotsavam ceremony meticulously, with great love and devotion.
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Sthapana Homam. |
Utsav Murti Krishna Sthapana. |
The vibrant sounds of the naad swaram, devotional bhajans, dancing devotees taking the Lord in a palkhi around the premises, etc., added more joy and festivity to this blessed event. The mahaprasad made by the CMA volunteers was also appreciated by all who came.
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(Photo: Suzanne Sen) |
(Photo: Suzanne Sen) |
On the 22nd of July 2015, H.H. Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide visited the the new ashram. CMA volunteers welcomed Pujya Swamiji, lining up outside the main door with Om lamps and flowers. Pujya Swamiji lit the lamps for Pujya Swami Chinmayananda and formally inaugurated a glass monument plaque at the entrance. He was escorted by CMA youth to the altar, where a special archana was performed.
Local Indian community dignitaries as well as the Forsyth County commissioners present at this event had a special meeting with Pujya Swamiji followed by a tour of the ashram. They were felicitated with gifts from the Chinmaya Upahaar store.
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A young artist from the congregation presented her artwork. (Photo: Suzanne Sen) |
Prithwiraj Bhattacharjee (tabla) and Pritam Bhattacharjee (vocals), brothers and faculty at the Pandit Jasraj School of Music, with Amitava Sen (harmonium). (Photo: Suzanne Sen) |
The evening session started with a beautiful cultural program performed by CMA’s Bala Vihar kids and the youth group. Pujya Swamiji’s talks on the Essence of Bhagavad Gita from July 22 – 24 were received each day by an overwhelming audience. The purpose of Gita as well as essence of Karma, Bhakti, and Jnana yogas was elucidated with such simplicity, wit, clarity, and humor that it was understood and enjoyed by people of all ages. Pujya Swamiji’s separate sessions with Bala kids and youth were very well received, too. Devotional songs were sung by CMA’s Swaranjali (bhajan group) prior to the talks and aartis were performed at end of talks each day. On the last day Pandit Jasraj School of Music faculty Pritam and Prithwiraj Bhattacharjee also offered their mellifluous music. Once again CMA offered boxes of freshly prepared meals (mahaprasad) on all days.
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Pujya Swamiji’s talks on the Essence of Bhagavad Gita from July 22nd – July 24th were received each day by an overwhelming audience. |
Some of the beautiful decorations for the special occasions in the Chinmaya Gurukul (Photo: Suzanne Sen). |
Pujya Swamiji heartily congratulated the sincere and consistent efforts of CMA members, blessed the ashram, aptly naming the enchanting, beautiful idol of Lord Krishna as ‘Sundar Krishna’ and bestowed the quote “Krishnam Vande Jagagurum” for the ashram. The plaque wordings composed by Pujya Swamiji express the vision & purpose of the ashram as follows: May this Chinmaya Mission center always shine victoriously; May there be study and teaching of the Vedas and Vedanta here. May all members worship God with devotion, and may the beautiful spirit of karma yoga be in the hearts of all.
Chinmaya Gurukul will serve as center for spiritual unfoldment inspiring many activities and programs for kids, youth, and adults, as CMA volunteers continue to offer their best to the Sire of the Chinmaya Movement, Param Pujya Swami Chinmayananda, who offered His best for the spiritual and social upliftment of society. Activities are in compliance with the Mission’s tradition, open to all those who choose to live a dynamic life based on the foundation of Vedanta and make a positive difference to society.
[The article above appears only on the website for September 2015, not in the September print/digital issues.] (Posted 9/11/15)
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