The one and a half day long celebrations of the Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra in Navi Mumbai was aptly
called Chinmaya Sanskriti Utsav. The devotees were extremely fortunate to be able to receive Him
and seek His blessings on the day of Geeta Jayanti and Tapovan Jayanti. In the morning, the
devotees welcomed Gurudev at Kharghar and escorted Him in a procession to Chinmaya Prerana,
Shree Mahalakshmi Temple. Devotees bearing orange flags and wearing orange phetas
(Maharashtrian turbans) along with school children and members of the devi group carrying thalis
with lamps led the procession on foot. His jyoti, padukas and vastram were kept in a ratha which
followed closely. On reaching the temple, He was welcomed with the traditional purnakumbha
following which paduka pooja was performed.
The centre had invited faith leaders from various faiths as a part of Chinmaya Sadhu Sangam to
give them an opportunity to come and pay respects to Pujya Gurudev. Following this, He went to
bless the Ramsheth Thakur Public School in Kharghar where He received a VIP reception by the
school band. A special assembly was organized in which Br Ved Chaitanya and Acharya Santhosh
addressed the students. The yagnatarium was set up for the junior children while Br. Ved ji
conducted a session on Personality Development for the senior students.
From here, He was escorted to the Sai Baba temple in Belapur where devotees had gathered to
welcome Him. Swami Medhajananda and Br. Ved ji addressed the devotees sharing with the
devotees the glories of Pujya Gurudev and the purpose and out reach of the Chinmaya Jyoti Yatra.
From here, Gurudev went to bless the staff and students of SIES (South Indian Education Society)
Group of Institutions in Vashi. He was welcomed by the students of the ved pathshala amidst vedic
chants with the Purnakumbha and was taken around the temple complex inside the college
premises. After placing His jyoti, padukas and vastram at the altar in the open ground, pooja was
performed following which Swami Medhajananda addressed the gathering. Parallelly, a
transformation workshop was conducted for the Management students.
In the evening, Gurudev visited the Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram in Nerul where he was
received by Br. Avyayamrita Chaitanya and the devotees of the mata. Swami Medhajananda, Br.
Ved Chaitanya and Br. Avyayamrita addressed the gathering.
The public function in the evening was organized at the CIDCO auditorium, Vashi. Gurudev was
led in procession by the devotees bearing the orange flags while the enthusiastic Jr. CHYKs
performed the lezim dance. The functions at the auditorium were organised as rajopchaar for the
pooja performed by Br. Ved ji. The devotees assembled for the function got a glimpse of the rich
traditions and cultural heritage of India, as Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Odissi, Geeta Dhyanam
Dance Ballet, Garba & Yakshagana dances were performed. There was also a Bhajan program & a
percussion fusion based on Geeta!
In the morning, Gurudev set out to bless the students and staff of the Jaipuriar School in Sanpada.
He was received there by the staff and students with the traditional purnakumbha. The students
showcased their talents by putting up a few cultural performances following the invocation song.
Br. Ved Chaitanya addressed the gathering after which the students of the 6th, 7th and 8th grade
got an opportunity to visit the yagnatarium. Following the welcome function, Br Ved ji conducted a
session on Personality Development for the senior students.
From here, Gurudev headed towards the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Headquarters
where he was received by the Mayor Sri Sudhakar Sonvane and Smt. Netra Shirke (Chairman of
Standing Committee, NMMC). In their address, both the dignitaries praised and thanked the
mission for the good work being done and admitted that it is not the Mission that needs the
support of the Corporation, but the Corporation needs such Missions who help improve the
standard of life of the citizens. Both of them had heard Guruji speak on several occasions and
pledged to support the work in whatever capacity they can.
In the afternoon, Gurudev visited the DAV School in Airoli where the yagnatarium was set up for
the school children. Swami Mitrananda and Br Ved Chaitanya addressed the junior children.
There were 5 additional talks organized in various schools where Jyoti didn’t go. More than 800
children were addressed during these talks!
Indeed these were the two most blissful days in the life of the members of Chinmaya Mission Navi
Mumbai.