Mumbai witnessed a rare moment of dynamism and stillness as Chinmaya Mission Mumbai hosted "108 Samashti Shri Hanuman Chalisa Havan" at MMRDA Grounds, BKC. Hanuman Chalisa Havan was done in 276 Havan Kunds with 21 Chants of Hanuman Chalisa by about 10,000 devotees. Commemorating the timeless vision of its founder, Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, the havan witnessed over 10,000 devotees into collective prayer under the theme “Chant Mumbai, Shant Mumbai” to pray for strength, peace & prosperity for the whole world. The large-scale spiritual gathering formed a significant part of Chinmaya Mission’s 75-year celebrations, held under the nationwide umbrella of Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav.
The programme was graced by the presence of Pujya Swami Tejomayananda, Former Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, present Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, along with Swami Swatmananda of Chinmaya Mission Mumbai and senior spiritual leaders of the Mission. Rooted in the ideals embodied by Lord Hanuman, unwavering faith, selfless service, courage, and strength, the Samashti Havan served as a reminder of the relevance of these values in navigating the challenges of modern urban life.
The programme was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Sri Kumarmangalam Birla, Shri Ajay Piramal, Smt.Divya & Shri Pradeep Mafatlal, Smt.Meghana & Shri Mukul Patel, Smt. Elina & Shri Nikhil Meswani, BMC Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gangrani, VHP Joint secretary Swami Vijnananandaji, VHP Media spokesperson Shriraj Nair, BJP Mumbai Secretary Acharya Pawan Tripathi, Sri Milind Hardas, ACP Dattatreya Shinde, corporate leaders, Principals of many educational institutions etc. Monks & devotees from several spiritual institutions like ISKCON, Swami Narayan, various temple trusts and others also graced the occasion.
The day began at 6:30 am with the Purva Puja conducted by Pujya Swami Sharadananda Saraswati (Resident Acharya, CIF Kerala). The ritual was performed by the Main Yajmans, Shri Mukul Patel and Smt. Meghana Patel. Hundreds of people thronged to the venue, eager to start early in the day. They had already received their Havan entry passes by courier. On this auspicious occasion, a collective Sankalpa was taken for world peace, invoking the grace of Hanumanji and Poojya Gurudev. Added attractions were the presence of Chinmaya Amrit Vahini parked at the venue, the Museum depicting the life and teachings of Pujya Gurudev and the time-line of Chinmaya Mission, the book/publication and other grassroot activities stalls, Virtual Reality Zone and adventure activities for children. Following the puja, a grand Amrit Vahini Procession (Amrit Yatra) took place around the grounds. Devotees, Swamins and office-bearers from various Chinmaya Mission Mumbai zones carried the sacred symbols of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda: His Padukas, His Vastra and His Pratima. A spirited Lezim dance performed by the students of Saraswati Vidyalaya added a traditional Maharashtrian flavour to the yatra. Before the formal Inaugural session, the assembly experienced a series of moving tributes:
The stage was then graced by spiritual luminaries and prominent dignitaries: Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, Pujya Swami Swaroopananda (Global Head), Swami Swatmananda (Mentor, CM Mumbai), Shri Kumarmangalam Birla (Chinmaya Amrit Hanuman Havan Yajman), Shri Ajay Piramal (Chinmaya Sampurna Utsav Yajman), Shri Mukulbhai Patel (Trustee, CST), Smt. Meghana Patel (President, CM Mumbai), Smt. Veena Thadani (Trustee, CST & CCMT) and Smt. Manisha Deole (Secretary, CM Mumbai). In her welcome address, Meghanaji greeted the 8000-plus participants. Swami Swatmanandaji shared that Poojya Gurudev's life and Chinmaya Mission are symbols of Success and Excellence just like Hanumanji. He drew parallels between Hanumanji’s leap across the ocean to find Mother Sita and Poojya Gurudev’s crossing the ocean of doubt & delusion and coming down to share the knowledge with us. He explained that the Hanuman Havan was a smarta-havan and a very powerful one. Chinmaya Mission Mumbai had first done the Hanuman Havan in 2009 and today it is being done in more than 85 centres across the world, with the Mumbai havan of 276 Kunds being the biggest. Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji expressed great satisfaction at the scale of the 75th Year Celebrations. He exhorted everyone to chant Gita Panchamrit daily and encouraged regular chanting of Hanuman Chalisa for mental strength. Pujya Guruji highlighted a special aspect of Hanuman’s humility. He explained that because Hanumanji is so humble, He does not like His own praise. Therefore, whenever Tulsidasji praises Him in the Chalisa, he immediately connects the praise to His devotion to Lord Rama, which ‘pacifies’ and pleases Hanumanji. The event saw the release of the souvenir ‘Rise with Hanuman’ edited by Smt. Jaishree Rao and two new musical versions of the Hanuman Chalisa by Chinmaya Naada Bindu and singer Avanti Nagral. A QR-coded bookmark for Swami Swatmananda’s upcoming book to be release don Mahashivaratri, ‘Be Shiva’ was introduced. The Hanuman Havan then began with Swami Sharadanandaji performing the rituals of invoking Hanumanji into the Havan Kund. Purohits placed at every Havan Kund also followed Swamiji’s instructions and invoked Hanumanji. The 21 times chanting of Hanumanji then began with melodious, energy-inducing rendering of Hanuman Chalisa by Chinmaya Naada Bindu singers and musicians. Pujya Guruji himself sang the first chant of Hanuman Chalisa, setting the tone for the spiritually uplifting experience. The last chant saw enthusiastic participation from the audience and volunteers, as they danced with joy and devotion! The ceremony reached its peak with a grand Maha Aarti led by the Swamins and leading dignitaries. The Annakshetra provided ample, delicious food and beverages, starting with breakfast. The day concluded with the distribution of Mahaprasad to all attendees, successfully manifesting the vision of ‘Chant Mumbai - Shant Mumbai’.
