For a year there was a buzz among the Chinmaya Mission followers looking forward to Guruji’s visit to Melbourne from April 25th 2012. Guruji was going to summarize the entire Geeta called “Geeta at a Glance” in six days from April 26th to May 1st 2012. This was a fitting finale to the decade long yagna by Swami Swaroopanandji covering the entire Geeta. Preparations for Guruji’s visit had started many months before with young and old pitching in to ensure that this event was a grand success - which it was!

This year’s annual talk at Cairnlea by Br Gautamji was held on March 17th and 18th at the Cairnlea Community Centre. The topic for the talk focussed on a contemporary problem experienced by most of us – namely, how to balance a busy life, and Br Gautamji had a unique answer to the problem based on the ancient wisdom of Vedanta philosophy.» Read more

"Everyday is bursting with the opportunity for us to do and to serve, to act and to express, to love and to live" - Gurudev. What a better way to make the most of Swami Swaroopananda's visit than CHYK camp! Chinmaya Mission youth camps are stepping stones for the youth to learn and progress in their spiritual journey amongst like-minded people.

The glorious portrayal of Lankakand by Swami Swaroompanandaji, engrossed hundreds of people across Melbourne. These talks were held at Kel Watson Theatre. Enthusiastic and dedicated Sevaks welcomed devotees in the most cheerful manner. The resonance of the hall was filled with beautiful pre-lecture bhajans which created wonderful atmosphere of Rama Rajya.

The Stage was set with an altar of Lord Ramji and poojya Guruji. A cute little seat was reserved for Sri Hanumanji. The backdrop of beautiful pictures of Ramayana serenely lit to give the perfect ambience for the occasion

Venue: Chinmaya Dham, Melbourne
Date: 29thOct 2011

When you think of a Hindu celebration, what comes to mind is a solemn religious affair and a colourful carnival combined. This precisely defines the divine event that took place at Clayton Hall on the 21st of August.» Read more

On Sunday, the 5th of September, there was a wonderful festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha. First devotees gathered at the Chinmaya Ashram for worship followed by bhajans devoted to Ganesha. Life was symbolically enforced into the the clay model by chanting mantras. The room was rich in devotion, happiness, love and peace as the prayers progressed.

It was a freezing, but surprisingly beautiful winter day.

On July 16th 2011 registrations for Balvihar Day started early, around 8:30am. Enthusiastic parents and their equally eager children, were welcomed to the ashram by Gautamji, the sevaks and sevikas. Birds chirped, flowers bloomed and trees shed their leaves, as if to welcome the Lord. This made a perfect day for the Children’s Holiday Program.

Balvihar Day

Date: 16 July 2011
Time: 8.30 am – 5.00 pm
Venue: Chinmaya Dham, Templestowe

At Chinmaya Dham on the 16th july 2011 we had Balvihar day. There was a big attendance and the atmoshphere around the Dham was quite calm and peaceful.

The topic of the day was Lord Skanda (Lord Muruga).

The first thing we did was get divided into three groups. I was in Skanda group. The other two group names were Saravana and Shanmukha. All the group names are names of Lord Muruga.

Perhaps Arjuna’s sorrow , misery, delusion in Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita which Swamiji taught 15 years ago is not misplaced. This is our own story told again and again. Not attempting to understand the scriptures, we have created an “an airy fairy” world of our own.

The culmination of this story ends with Chapter 18 when Arjuna is awakened to the Truth. Kel Watson Theatre, Victoria was abuzz with activity from the 4th to the 13th of May this year as Swami Swaroopananda artfully picked out the gems from Chapter 18.