Special Events
Navaratri Celebration – 2019
During Navaratri, grand celebrations were held with insightful talks and elaborate pujas at the Durban Ashram, Chinmaya Mission South Africa. A group of accomplisheded Priests from India perform the special pujas. These auspicious 9 days included daily Shat Chandi homam in the morning and complete Durga Saptashati was chanted in the early evenings. The highlight for the 9 days were the captivating talks on Devi Bhagawatam by Swami Abhedananda. During these 9 evening sessions, Swamiji ensured to bring in the
Self Unfoldment Program – 2019
The Chinmaya Mission of South Africa conducted a unique first-time-ever 6 weeks Foundation course in Vedant called as the Self Unfoldment Program (SUP) which provided a wonderful opportunity to all sincere seekers to go through an in-depth study of our scriptures, under the most able & inspiring guidance of Pujya Swami Abhedanandaji (Spiritual head of CMSA). This residential course was conducted from 1st June till 15th July 2019 and it attracted seekers from all walks of life and all ages.
Janmashtami 2015
Janmashtami, the birth of the eternal Lord, is not a past event like our birthday. Every Janmashtami, the Lord manifests in the hearts of the devotees; as He did in the hearts of the hundreds who gathered at the beautiful ChinmayaShivam Durban Ashram to welcome and celebrate the arrival of their beloved Kanha. The six hour long celebrations started with Bhajans by renowned singers accompanied by various musicians. The melodious bhajans uplifted the minds of everyone present and filled their hearts
Unveiling Ceremony of Sivananda Peace Pillar (16 November 2014)
Pujya Swami Abhedanandaji attended the official unveiling of three heritage monuments at Shri Mariammen Temple Society, Mount Edgecombe Siphosethu Grounds on Sunday, the 16th November 2014 at 10:30 am. The three Heritage monuments unveiled were the Sivananda Peace Pillar, Peace Pole Monument and two 1860 Indian Life size statues commemorating the 154 years of the arrival of Indians to South Africa. Some of the high profile dignitaries that attended the function were the High Commissioner of India, Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam,
3rd Cosmic 108 Hanuman Chalisa Havan (24 August)
Shri Hanumanji represents the ideal servant and devotee of the Lord. To invoke His blessings, the Chinmaya Mission of South Africa held the 108 Cosmic Hanuman Chalisa Chanting and havan for the third consecutive year on the 24th of August 2014. Weeks of meticulous planning and preparations culminated in a glorious event held at the Curries Fountain grounds in Durban. The program commenced with Navagraha pooja and Hanumanji’s pooja, and the chanting of Ganapati Atharvashirsha. Pujya Swami Abhedananda chanted the
One Day Talk at Shree Ram Narayan Mandir (11 March 2014)
The Shree Ram Narayan Mandir of Port Shepstone hosted Pujya Swami Abhedanandaji on the 11th March 2014. Devotees and visitors to the temple felt privileged to listen to Swamiji’s enlightening discourse. Swamiji discussed how in the scriptures (shashtras), 10 characteristic are mentioned. Swamiji elaborated on the quality of patience(driti) which is the capacity to hold ourselves and our impulses for some time. Patience (driti) is the 1st step in anybody’s life. This is tested when many things don’t happen the
Mega Maha Shivaratri ( 27 February 2014)
The Chinmaya Mission of South Africa held its Mega Maha Shivarathri celebrations on the 27th February 2014 commencing at 6:30 pm. This was one of Durban’s largest events which saw more than 2000 people attending the festival therefore special permission was taken from the Durban municipality to cater for the road closure. The festival of Maha Shivarathri ( grand night dedicated for the worship of Lord Shiva) was celebrated with great fervour and grandeur at the Lord Shiva’s temple(Chinmaya Shivam)
2nd Cosmic 108 Hanuman Chalisa Havan (24th August 2013)
Devotees of the Chinmaya Mission ashram in Durban felt the divinity in the air as they gathered in the early hours of the morning. Weeks of meticulous planning and preparations culminated on the 24th August 2013 at the Curries Fountain Stadium grounds. It was a bright beautiful day with clear blue skies and smiling faces all around. For the second consecutive year under the guidance of Pujya Swami Abhedanandaji, the 108 Cosmic Hanuman Chalisa Chanting and havan was held. The
Mega Maha Shivaratri (10 March 2013)
Tenth March 2013 will remain etched in the hearts of devotees forever as the Mega Maha Shivarathri was celebrated in grand style with bhajans, discourse and dance. More than 1300 devotees of Lord Shiva dressed in their exquisite eastern wear gathered together at the Chinmaya Mission ashram in Montford, Chatsworth to join in the night-long celebrations. The evening’s program commenced with the renditions of beautiful and soul-stirring bhajans of Shivji by various local and overseas artists. Fresh flower garlands and
The Consecration of Chinmaya Shivam Temple (4 November 2012)
Amidst blissful chants of Om Namaha Shivaya by ecstatic devotees;“Chinmaya Shivam”– the new and magnificent temple of Lord Shiva was consecrated by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji on 4th November 2012 in Durban, South Africa. Over 2000 devotionally charged seekers from across South Africa thronged to witness this landmark event, and offered 1008 Pots of Milk to Lord Shiva on this auspicious occasion. Pujya Guruji and Swami Abhedanandaji also performed the Kumbhabhishekam for the main temple Kalash as well as for