Celebrate Amrit Mahotsav—marking 75 years of Chinmaya Mission—with Guru Bhajans and Guru Paduka Puja led by our children, followed by a community lunch and the inspirational film On a Quest.
Sponsor Event: MahaShivaratri Celebrations, 02/15/2026 11:30AM
| Date & Time: | February 15 2026 & 11:30 AM |
| Location: | “Chinmaya Haridwar” 3551 NE John Olsen Ave |
Sponsor Event |
Hari OM!
We invite you and your family to come and participate in the Shivratri celebration at Chinmaya Mission Portland and perform the Abhishekam! There will be regular Balavihar classes that day, the Abhishekam will be after the classes.
About Shivaratri:
Literally, Maha Shivratri means, “The great night of Shiva”. It is also believed that on Shivratri, Lord Shiva became Neelkant by swallowing the deadly poison that came up from the ocean during the churning of “Kshir Sagar” (milky ocean). The poison was so deadly that even a drop in His stomach, which represents the universe, would have annihilated the entire world. Hence, He held it in His neck, which turned blue due to the effect of poison. Shivratri is therefore also a day of thanksgiving to the Lord for protecting us from annihilation.
Shivratri is especially auspicious for winning the battle within ourselves – the battle between good and evil within “Kshir Sagar” – which is our mind, between right and wrong, between poison and nectar, and between death and immortality. Let us use our puja, our prayers, and our meditations on this day to pray for divine intervention so that within ourselves the good might vanquish the evil, the nectar within us might emerge, rather than poison, and we too may be carried from death to immortality.
Sponsor Event: Adopt-A-Roadway Q1 2026 2/28/2026 10 AM
| When: | Once a quarter |
| Location: | Report in front of Apna Bazaar at 10 am PT |
Volunteering Opportunity Exclusively For Our Sponsors!Signup Required |
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Love is not love if it does not serve and sacrifice.
– Swami Chinmayananda
Hari OM!
As part of our commitment to giving back to the community, our team will remove litter from our adopted street—173rd Street from Cornell Rd to Walter Rd—on a quarterly basis. Beaverton City requires volunteers to be at least 12 years old. Volunteers aged 12-17 must print, sign, and bring the waiver form. The link also provides details about the Adopt-A-Roadway program, safety rules, FAQs, and more, which you may choose to review.
All volunteer work done for Chinmaya Mission Portland and CORDUSA counts toward your total volunteer hours. Volunteering not only enhances your resume but also enables you to give back and positively impact the community. After participating in the event, please ensure you get the initials of our Adopt-A-Roadway coordinator for your volunteer hours.
We also encourage donations to support the humanitarian activities carried out by Chinmaya Mission Portland through CORDUSA . These include efforts like cooking and feeding at homeless shelters, supporting the Oregon Food Bank, offering free English Language Learner programs, assisting refugees, donating school supplies, and more. Your donations will serve as seed money for these initiatives. Please check with your employer about matching grants to double the impact of your contribution today!
PLEASE NOTE: No one under 12 years of age is allowed to participate or to be on-site during a clean-up. Late arrival for the event is NOT possible.
Lets Play Holi! 03/14/2026 3:30-5:00PM
Holi is wonderful because it reflects exactly what is occurring in nature at that time – when all the beautiful flowers of different colors are blossoming. By celebrating this event we feel a greater oneness with nature. The dominant idea behind this festival is that we should live more in harmony with nature instead of trying to destroy her and make her our slave.
– Swami Tejomayananda
| Date & Time: | March 14 2026 & 3:30 PM |
| Location: | “Harvest Park” NW Eleanor Ave, Portland, OR 97229 |
Open to all with RSVP, No outside vendors or solicitations allowed |
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Holi – the festival of colors – is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festivals. It’s an occasion that brings out the child in you, no matter how old you are, joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright organic colors!
Chinmaya Mission Portland, in collaboration with THPRD, will celebrate Holi on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
We invite you to come and participate in the festivities! Our Holi celebration is open to all with RSVP **, please come with your family and friends, but do give us an accurate count when you RSVP!
Gita Panchamrit – talks by Brni. Shubhani Chaitanya Mar 26-29, 2026
| Topic: | Gita Panchamrit | |
| Location: | “Chinmaya Haridwar” 3551 NE John Olsen Ave |
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| Dates: | Sessions: | Add to Calendar: |
| Mar 26-29 2029 | 1 through 4 | 6:00-7:30 PM PT |
Free & Open to all |
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About the topic:
Gita Panchamrit is a sacred sadhana marking 75 years of Chinmaya Mission, inviting seekers to partake in the timeless nectar of the Bhagavad Gita.
Five selected verses — each a universe in itself. With these five powerful shlokas at its core, this initiative brings daily clarity and devotion into Bharatiya homes, offering a luminous glimpse into the Gita’s eternal essence.
About the speaker:
Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya is a disciple of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. Born in Manila, bred in New York, and built-in Bharat, she has grown through Chinmaya Mission as a Bala Vihar child, a dynamic CHYK (Chinmaya Yuva Kendra), and now a Brahmacharini posted in Chinmaya Mission New York.
She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade and Marketing. After working in the fashion industry for around 7 years, she decided to take a sabbatical to find her true calling. This led her to join YEP – the Youth Empowerment Program where she was involved in writing/editing books, organizing camps and teaching in schools. She also assisted in the script-writing of Swami Chinmayananda’s movie – On a Quest, and later pursued her very own in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai.
She completed the Vedanta course in 2016 where she was initiated as Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya. She brings natural wisdom and compassion to her classes and loves sharing with people the Science of Happiness that is Vedanta. She currently conducts classes on various Vedantic subjects.
Gita Panchamrit Shlokas:
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुः आत्मैव रिपुरात्मन: || ६-५ ||
uddhared-ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam-avasādayet,
ātmaiva hyātmano bandhuḥ ātmaiva ripur-ātmanaḥ. (6.5)
One should lift oneself by oneself; one should not lower oneself. The mind is verily one’s friend; the mind is one’s own enemy.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूः मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि || २-४७ ||
karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana,
mā karmaphalaheturbhuḥ mā te saṅgo’stvakarmaṇi. (2.47)
Thy right is to work only, but never to its fruits; let the fruit of action not be thy motive, nor let thy attachment be to inaction.
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् |
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् || ९-२७ ||
yatkaroṣi yadaśnāsi yajjuhoṣi dadāsi yat,
yattapasyasi kaunteya tatkuruṣva madarpaṇam. (9.27)
Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give in charity, whatever you practice as austerity, O Kaunteya! Do it as an offering to Me.
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् || ९-२२ ||
ananyāścintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate,
teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yogakṣemaṁ vahāmyaham. (9.22)
To those who worship Me alone, thinking of no other, to those ever self-controlled, I provide what they need and preserve what they already possess.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यः मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच:|| १८-६६ ||
sarvadharmān-parityajya mām-ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja,
ahaṁ tvā sarvapāpebhyaḥ mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ. (18.66)
Abandoning all dharmas (of the body, mind and intellect), take refuge in Me alone; I will liberate thee from all sins; grieve not.
Continue the journey, Deepen the devotion – Talks by Swami Ishwarananda May 13-15, 2026
| Topic: | Continue the journey of Mukundamala | |
| Location: | “Chinmaya Haridwar” 3551 NE John Olsen Ave |
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| Dates: | Sessions: | Add to Calendar: |
| May 13-15 2026 | 1 through 3 | 6:00-7:30 PM PT |
Free & Open to all |
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About the topic:
A devotional hymn composed by Kulaśekhara Ālvār, a saint-king, of Chera Kingdom (modern-day Kerala) expressing deep love and surrender to Lord Krishna. Continue the sacred journey of devotion and surrender as Swami Ishwaranandaji unfolds Mukundamala, continuing from his previous Yajna at Chinmaya Mission Portland — guiding us from worldly attachment toward divine refuge during this 3-day in-person Yajna.
About the speaker:
Swami Ishwarananda left his career as a professional software consultant to pursue the study of Vedanta. Inspired by Swami Chinmayananda and guided by Swami Brahmananda, he joined Sandeepany Sadhanalaya and has been a vital part of the Chinmaya Mission for over three decades. Swami Ishwarananda currently serves as the Director of Chinmaya Mission West. Known for his dynamic speaking style, he conducts numerous lectures and retreats on spiritual topics, including the practical application of Vedantic principles, stress management, and the spiritual enrichment of the workplace.
Hanuman Chalisa Havan – May 16, 2026 starting at 8:30AM
| Date & Time: | May 16 2026 & 8:30 AM |
| Location: | “Chinmaya Haridwar” 3551 NE John Olsen Ave |
Open to All |
Hari OM!
The Hanuman Chalisa Havan is a sacred Vedic fire offering performed with the chanting of verses from the Hanuman Chalisa in praise of Lord Hanuman, the embodiment of strength, devotion, courage, and selfless service.
Participation in this Havan is believed to invoke protection, remove obstacles, and cultivate inner strength, clarity, and devotion. Offerings into the sacred fire symbolize surrender of limitations and heartfelt prayers at the feet of Lord Hanuman.
How to Participate in the Hanuman Chalisa Havan
Devotees may sign up as Yajman(s)—individually or with family—by submitting their names, gotra, and sankalpa below in advance, along with Aishna. These details will be recited during the opening sankalpa of the havan, followed by the blessings of Hanumanji and Swamiji.
Alternatively, devotees may RSVP below and attend the havan in person on the day of the event.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints, only submission received in advance, along with dakshina, will be included in the sankalpa recitation during the havan.
Sing Bhajans During Assembly!
| Location: | “Chinmaya Haridwar“ |
Volunteering Opportunity Exclusively For Our Sponsors!Signup Required |
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Love is the heart of religions, the theme of all classical works of art and literature, the song of all devotees. Scientists know only what love does not what love is.
– Swami Chinmayananda
Hari OM!
Devotional Singing (Bhajans) and Namasmarana (repetition of the Divine name) have often been prescribed by eminent divine personalities and true spiritual leaders as an age-old tool for spiritual, mental, and emotional upliftment. In short, an end result is an act of purification to one’s being and surroundings.
If you are our Bala vihar participant and you or your child would like to sing Bhajans, here is the perfect opportunity, during our assembly! The bhajan singing slot is from 9:20 to-9:30am. Any devotional song, in any language, can be sung as long as all can sing along. Please prepare bhajan(s) to be sung in an assigned 10 minutes duration. You will need to be in the hall (or login to zoom) by 9:15 am. The lyrics of the bhajan need to reach our AV coordinators by Friday of the preceding week at the latest.
Please signup below and appreciate your flexibility about the date.
Who is a Yajmaan?
Hinduism places great importance on rituals, ceremonies, and pujas, where devotees seek blessings through offerings. In traditional practice, a “Yajmaan” serves as the patron of a puja or yajna, supporting the priest who conducts the ritual. The word “Yajmaan” comes from the Sanskrit root “Yaj,” meaning worship, and typically refers to the head of a family or community leading the sacrificial ceremony. After the puja, the Yajmaan offers Dakshina (a donation) to the priest, marking the completion of the ceremony.
At Chinmaya Mission, we strive to make these sacred rituals accessible to all. At Chinmaya Mission Portland, a different family is honored as the Yajmaan for each puja. The Yajmaan begins the ceremony with a “Sankalpa,” a firm, positive resolution or prayer offered to the Lord. They bring offerings such as flowers, fruits, and naivedyam (food offerings), and conclude by making a tax-deductible donation to the mission at the feet of Madhur Krishna, as an expression of gratitude. In return, the Yajmaan receives blessings and Puja Prasad from the priest, deepening their connection to the divine and inviting wisdom and positive energy.
Rest assured—our Festival team works closely with the Yajmaan every step of the way to ensure the experience is meaningful and enjoyable for all.
Upload Sponsorship Donation Receipt
Please note that we are an all-volunteer organization, with our team members balancing daytime jobs to keep our overhead costs at zero. This ensures that 100% of your annual sponsorship goes directly towards maintaining the Chinmaya Haridwar building and its programs. Since tracking annual sponsorships requires considerable time, we would greatly appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Closing it quickly will allow our volunteers to continue serving Chinmaya Mission Portland in the best possible way.