Chinmaya Pradeep – 2nd Anniversary Celebrations
CHINZANIA
Experience What Chinmaya Lived!
Date 10th June, 2018
Attended by: 200 people (64 below 15 yrs, 40 volunteers including 27 YEPsters from batch 12)
Chinzania!! Chinmaya Pradeep mein rahoonga main, Ghar nahi nahi jaoonga main!!
I can't think of any other way to express what I felt on Sunday. After a loooong time, I had the rare opportunity of actually being a participant.As the activities began, I was very happy to not be a volunteer. Everything from conception to execution was done flawlessly and efficiently. It was very inspiring to experience Gurudev's life as Himself. Credit goes to Swamiji and the team of volunteers for coming up with this concept and executing it in such a brilliant manner!!
There are far too many cherish-able moments which will be too much to type. The one thing however that I will share with all of you is; in all the events that I have participated so far, I always get to experience glimpses of Gurudev in action. However Chinzania was one event where I could truly experience Gurudev functioning through all of us right from start to end.
Now I am ready to get back to volunteering with much more zeal and vigor!!
Hari om!!
- A CHYK
This was my first Chinmaya event and I only saw Kripa, limitless grace constantly. A thought that's execution improved so effortlessly. Thank you Swamiji for giving me this opportunity. How beautiful the entire event was, I am speechless to even enumerate.
- New Mission Member and Volunteer
Magic was experienced today! - Volunteer
When I grow up I will be a "Swamiji" - 9 year old
It was pleasure to live Gurudev’s life today - Parent participant
Like Swamiji said in the morning, Gurudev indeed blessed the whole event by keeping the rains at bay!
Yes. We had an amazing time. V well organized.. Look forward to participating in many more such spiritually enriching events in future
- Parents of Pre-Chyks
What was so different about this event that has evoked such a response from everyone who took part in it?
Chinzania was an experiential journey of Gurudev’s life, his transformation from a naughty, bright agnostic Balan to our beloved Gurudev, an event where EVERY participant was Balan and got to experience various significant moments of His life as Him!! People were touched and inspired, they got a glimpse of what Gurudev would have gone through.
The program started with lighting of the lamp, address by President Mr Bharat Shah and by Mr Mukul Patel followed by an inspiring talk by Swamiji where he inaugurated a new app 360 degree virtual tour of Chinmaya Pradeep. Swamiji then performed the Paduka Puja with Yajmans Mukulbhai , Meghna ji and Varsha ji.
All participants were then divided into various age groups starting from 5 to 10 year olds going up to 75 years! A movie workshop for elders was conducted by Sunitha Shankar and Anju Taparia. For others it was time to be Balan! Each group was led by a CHYK who would be their guide in this experiential journey of 9 significant episodes in the Life of Gurudev:
1. Birth of Gurudev
Each group is a witness to the birth of Gurudev with Chattambi Swamigal, Gurudev's father, Gurudev's mother. A traditional Kerala dance with 3 balvihar girls is performed and participants are taught the steps and dance in a circle around baby Balan.
2. Pooja & Meditation
Next stop is the Puja room in Balan’s house. Here the hide-n-seek game with Lord Shiva is played and “Chinzos” are won by those who can answer the rapid fire questions.
3. Patriotism
Was the one of the most enjoyed activities. It began with clue for secret meeting & freedom walk from Parichay Kaksha to Swadhyaya Kaksha where “Balans” were “arrested” by secret police and tortured in jail. Standing on ice, hanging from a rope upside down, etc were forms of torture that gave a glimpse into all that young Balan endured. Finally Balan was thrown out into the street and was saved after being left to die. At this point each took the pledged #I will do for India …
4. As a Journalist
Excerpts of articles by Balan on mochi, postman, peddler…. Were read out through and activity with role plays.
5. Delhi Dance Party
Ballroom scene that impacted Balan’s life was enacted.
6. Sw. Shivanandaji's ashram & Sannyas
Swami Swatmananda ji took up the role of Sw Sivananda ji and answered questions by skeptic Balans. He even gave sanyas to all!!! A paduka chardham yatra made all realize the kind of tapas Balan practiced before he decided to renounce the world.
7. Meeting with Sw. Tapovanam Maharaj ji
Activities with conditions laid down by Tapovan Maharaj made the participants realize the difficulties faced by Gurudev. The Mahavakys discussions were especially enjoyed by the under 15 age group!
8. Uttar Kashi
Sleeping in a small kutia, inspiration of Mother Ganga “in the form” were the highlights of this scene.
9. Ganesh Temple Pune
Participants were made to make posters and ride on cycles with a mega phone to publicize gurudev’s first yagna just like He had done! Welcoming with a Purna kumbh, and talks of one minute each on Vedanta!
Every moment we all experienced HIS Grace!
We were blessed too with Guruji and Swami Swaroopananda ji visit to every venue of Chinzania!!
It was amazing to see how the whole event unfolded so beautifully. It is going to be etched in every heart for a very long time! We say this with folded hands as we saw the same joy on faces of the participants that we experienced while organizing it.
II Om Shri Chinmaya Sadgurave Namah II