Diwali Celebrations at Chinmaya Haridwar!
PLEASE NOTE: Due to space limitations, this event is exclusively reserved for our annual sponsors.
Diwali is a time for families to come together, strengthen bonds, and share joy and blessings with one another. It is a beautiful and vibrant festival that brings people from different communities and backgrounds together to celebrate the values of light, love, and goodness.
Offering bhiksha to a Swamin/Brahmacharin is a revered tradition in Hindu culture. It’s an act of devotion, supporting those who have renounced worldly life for spiritual pursuits. This practice brings spiritual merit, connects the devotee to the divine, and preserves ancient cultural traditions. By offering bhiksha, you help spread the timeless wisdom of Vedanta and express your gratitude to our Guru Parampara. Your donation will be entirely dedicated to advancing the vision and mission of Chinmaya Mission.
Please read the guidelines so that you know what to expect. We will be happy to help you out with preparations, food, and clean up, we want you to enjoy the experience.
Thanksgiving traditions vary from family to family, reflecting the diversity of our nation. Chinmaya Mission Portland warmly invites you to celebrate Thanksgiving with us—and enjoy our beloved Mr. Chocolate Turkey, a favorite treat for the children!
While each family may celebrate differently, the heart of Thanksgiving remains the same: expressing gratitude for the many blessings in our lives.
In today’s fast-paced world, Thanksgiving also offers an opportunity to reconnect with our cherished values and roots within the Chinmaya Mission. We are deeply grateful to Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, whose guidance shapes our activities and events with an eye toward future generations. Our dedicated Swamins and Brahmacharins continue to nurture the inspiration of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, keeping his vision alive through changing times.
Simply sign up below and choose a dish from the list – no need to worry about fancy names! We’ll provide an easy recipe and tips on where to find the ingredients. Join us for a Thanksgiving dinner that is meaningful, fun, and stress-free!
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us how to prepare the mind. Chapter 8 highlights the power of focused thought, devotion, and detachment, showing that the quality of our final consciousness shapes our next journey. By cultivating remembrance of the Divine, disciplined living, and mindfulness throughout life, we train the mind to face the ultimate transition with peace and clarity.
About the speaker:
Swami Aparajitananda is renowned for his clear and insightful discourses on Vedanta and Hindu scriptures. Before embracing monastic life, he trained and worked as an Electronics and Communication engineer and served as a lecturer at an engineering college in Bangalore. Following a profound spiritual calling, he underwent intensive Vedanta training at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai, continuing his spiritual journey as a brahmachari before eventually receiving sannyasa deeksha.
Swamiji is widely appreciated for his engaging English discourses on texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads, as well as his writings and contributions to magazines. He currently serves at the Chinmaya Mission center in Chicago and continues to inspire audiences worldwide with practical and profound spiritual teachings.
Volunteering Opportunity Exclusively For Our Sponsors!
Signup Required
Develop noble and enduring qualities. Watch in others for weaknesses that you should guard against, in yourself. Love all. Serve all. Love creates and lust destroys the peace in the heart of man.
– Swami Chinmayananda
Hari OM!
On Saturdays, we cook for a homeless shelter…
Since 2013, we have partnered with Transition Projects to support Portland’s most vulnerable residents. Every Saturday, volunteers cook and serve meals at a homeless shelter, providing for around 100-120 residents. Few service projects have such an immediate impact or offer as meaningful and personal an experience as preparing and serving a meal to those in need.
We invite you to sponsor a Saturday meal for the shelter ($250) through the button below. Your contribution will serve as dedicated seed funding for this essential work. Don’t forget to check with your employer about matching grants—they can double the impact of your donation today!
Thank you for your kindness & generosity in advance!
To give without sympathy is to build a temple without the idol and is as futile as to paint a picture with black ink on a black‑board!
– Swami Chimayananda
In 2023, we joyfully celebrated the 10th anniversary of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda’s blessing, when our center was graced with the sacred name Chinmaya Haridwar. In October 2026, we will mark a historic milestone—the Amrit Mahotsav (75th year) of the Chinmaya Movement. On this momentous occasion, we are reaching out to you, our valued supporter, with an exciting opportunity to create a lasting impact.
Why is your contribution to Chinmaya Mission Portland (CMP) so vital? Because it goes beyond a simple donation. It’s a statement of your commitment to growing our Chinmaya family and a tangible expression of your belief in the power of collective giving. Join hands with us to create a debt-free community space! Contribute today to pay off the loan on our beloved center and ensure a brighter, more secure future for us all.
Since 1996, more than a hundred Bala Vihar children have graduated from Chinmaya Mission Portland, making our center a proud pillar of this community. Our commitment is reflected in the heartfelt service of our Bala Vihar students, who dedicate themselves to preparing weekly meals for the homeless shelter, organizing quarterly street cleanups, leading impactful environmental awareness initiatives, and providing free English tutoring for immigrant families—just a few examples of our ongoing community outreach.
Together, let us honor Chinmaya Haridwar’s meaningful journey and support our cause: Vedanta in Action — Celebrating 75 Years of the Chinmaya Movement. With the collective strength of our sankalpa, we aspire to raise $500,000 to make our facility debt-free—an offering of love and gratitude to Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.
We’re raising funds to support Chinmaya Mission. Every social media or email call helps us reach more people and multiply impact.
How to Create Your Own Fundraising Page for Chinmaya Mission Portland
On the campaign page, look for the button that says “Fundraise for us” and click it.
3. Sign In or Create a JustGiving Account
– If you already have a JustGiving account, click Sign In.
– If you’re new, click Sign Up to create an account (it only takes a minute).
4. Choose Your Fundraising Type
JustGiving will ask how you want to fundraise. Select the option that best fits your plan (for example, “Personal challenge,” “Birthday,” or “Other creative idea”).
5. Set Your Fundraising Goal
Decide how much you aim to raise. Even a small goal helps the mission! Enter your target amount in the space provided.
6. Create Your Fundraising Page Name
Give your page a personal touch, e.g., “[Your Name] for Chinmaya Mission Portland”.
7. Write Your Story
Add a short message about why you’re raising funds for Vedanta in Action: Amrit Mahotsav of Chinmaya Movement. You can use parts of the campaign message:
“I’m supporting Chinmaya Mission Portland to help Bala Vihar children, community programs, and spiritual initiatives. Join me in making an impact!”
8. Add a Photo or Video (Optional)
Personalize your page with a photo of yourself, your family, or something meaningful to the mission. It helps inspire donors.
9. Preview and Create Your Page
Review your information. If everything looks good, click “Create Your Page”.
10. Share Your Page
Once your page is live, share it with friends, family, and your network via email, WhatsApp, or social media. Encourage them to support your fundraising efforts!
Challenge your network to match your donation or beat your contribution amount. Together, we can turn individual acts of kindness into a collective force for good.
Your support for Chinmaya Mission Portland is not just a donation; it’s an investment in positive transformation—enriching individual lives, promoting spiritual and cultural values, and enhancing community well-being. We believe in the power of collective giving to bring meaningful change, and we’re grateful to have you as part of our community.
Let’s make this year a celebration of generosity and positive change!
Are you passionate about food and love bringing people together through delicious meals? We’re calling on all culinary enthusiasts and food lovers to signup to cook for Shadras! Together, let’s create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where we can nurture both our bodies and our spirits.
📅 Schedule: We’re looking for volunteers who can commit to cooking sessions once a year, make it an offering on your special day or in memory of someone passed.
🍲 What’s Cooking: Bring your regional favorites! From soul-warming Sunday lunch to homeless shelter cooking and special events, our kitchen is always abuzz with opportunities to prepare delightful meals for our Chinmaya family and beyond. Share your culinary skills and explore new flavors as we create memorable lunch experiences.
✨ Why Volunteer with Us: By signing up to cook at Shadras, you’ll experience the joy of serving others and fostering a sense of community. Plus, you’ll have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, expand your culinary repertoire, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
🆓 No Experience Necessary: Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a cooking novice, we welcome everyone! Our experienced volunteers and kitchen staff will provide training, guidance, and support every step of the way. All you need is a passion for cooking and a desire to make a positive impact.
🙏 Sign Up Today: Ready to embark on this adventure? Sign up now for the upcoming academic year, with your preferred date (Sundays from September 7th 2025 to June 14 2026). Please be flexible with the date as there could be some schedule shuffling later on. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to share your love for cooking and serve our Chinmaya community!
For any inquiries or further information, email us at – contact [at] cmportland [dot] org!
Thank you for considering this opportunity to cook with us. Together, let’s create a nourishing and loving environment that brings us closer as a Chinmaya family.
Language is a major barrier for many immigrant students. As part of our community service, we offer in-person, one-on-one support to help them feel confident in seeking assistance. Supervised high school students tutor English language learners (ELLs) of all ages, if your family’s annual income is below $55,000. Please fill out the form below to register.
