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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                                   JULY 31, 2026    |  The Indian Eye 27


            Thousands Celebrate Chinmaya Mission’s 75th



        Anniversary with Hanuman Havan & Family Mela






























        OUR BUREAU
        Chicago, IL
               n Saturday, July 11, 2026, the
               DuPage County Fairgrounds
        Oin  Wheaton,  Illinois,  came
        alive with the divine energy of more
        than  4,000  attendees  as  Chinmaya
        Mission Chicago successfully hosted
        “Vayuputra in Windy City” – a reli-
        gious  and  community  extravaganza.
        This  grand  celebration  commem-
        orated  the  75th  anniversary  of  the
        global spiritual organization inspired
        by Swami Chinmayananda to spread
        the profound philosophy of Vedanta
        across the world.                 maya Mission present included Swa-  various ragas, creating a soul-stirring   playful atmosphere.
            The event was a resounding suc-  mi  Sharanananda,  Swami  Aparaji-  atmosphere of devotion.          The event also paid homage to
        cess for all age groups from children   tananda,  Respected  Dhiren  Khatri,   Throughout the day, children joy-  the legacy of Swami Chinmayananda
        to  seniors  who  appreciated  the  rich   Brahmacharini  Sahana  Chaitanya,   fully participated in exciting outdoor   through a dedicated Chinmaya Dar-
        religious, cultural, and community ex-  and Brahmacharini Sandhya Chaitan-  games  such  as  Sita’s  Hidden  Trail   shan exhibit that allowed attendees to
        perience. The Hanuman Chalisa Ha-  ya. Senior leaders and devotees from   treasure hunt, Lanka Leap across the   walk through his life and work. This
        van (fire sacrifice) and Puja (worship)   many community organizations were   mini  ocean,  Hanuman’s  Challenge   exhibit  showcased  the  profound  im-
        were  accompanied  by  cultural  pro-  in attendance as well.       obstacle course, and the fun I Am Ha-  pact of his journey on thriving spiritual
        grams,  exhibits,  children’s  activities,   At  the  heart  of  the  celebration   numan!  photo  booth.  Indoors,  they   centers like the one in Chicago. A vid-
        small business booths, and food trucks.  was a deeply moving Havan featuring   enjoyed  creative  activities  including   eo presentation on his life and legacy
            Pujya  Swami  Swaroopananda,   31 Havan Kunds invoking Hanuman   Vayu’s Breath cup-blowing game, Ra-  which includes more than 300 centers
        Global  Head  of  Chinmaya  Mission   ji.  Devotees  offered  oblations  as  21   mayana Studio arts and crafts, Hanu-  around the world, Chinmaya Univer-
        and  Chairman  of  the  Central  Chin-  rounds of the popular and powerful   man’s  Sabha  puzzles,  and  Build  the   sity, international schools, orphanag-
        maya  Mission  Trust,  traveled  from   Hanuman  Chalisa  were  chanted  by   Setu bridge-building. All the activities   es, women’s empowerment programs,
        India to personally bless the occasion.   many teams from the five Chinmaya   were designed to engage young minds   and many other initiatives deeply
        His inspiring  message  highlighted   Mission Midwest centers (Badri, Gan-  with the spirit of the Ramayana in a   moved everyone. - Asian Media USA
        the  connection  of  Hanuman  ji  with   gotri, Yamunotri, Omkara, and Ham-
        Chicago with mention of “Chi” – the   savahini) as well as other community
        life-giving  energy  (Prana)  from  Chi-  and  cultural  organizations  such  as
        nese lore and the Windy City. He   Bansurist & Friends, Kannada Koota,
        also urged all Hindus, especially the   Shrutilaya  School  of  Music,  Manav
        children, to learn at least five selected   Seva  Mandir,  Swami  Ayyappa  Tem-
        verses of the Bhagavad Gita that have   ple, Hari Om Mandir, Chicago Tyaga-
        been labeled as the Gita Panchamrit.   raja Utsavam, Nagar Mandal, Hanu-
        He lovingly invited all devotees to the   man  Mandir,  Kali  Bari,  Ramayana
        Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav to be held   Chanting Group, Shri Krishna Tem-
        in October in New Delhi, India.   ple, and Sadhana Music School. Each
            Other spiritual leaders of Chin-  team presented Hanuman Chalisa in


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