It is time for Navaratri Celebrations at Chinmaya Haridwar!
PLEASE NOTE: Due to space limitations, this event is exclusively reserved for our annual sponsors.
“Nava-ratri” literally means “nine nights.” Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. In the first three days, the Mother is invoked as a powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices, and defects. For the next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power to bestow on her devotees inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent worshipping the mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-around success in life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights.
The festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In Delhi, numerous events around Ramlila mark the celebrations, while in West Bengal, Durga Puja captures the essence of the festival. In Gujarat, it is celebrated by performing the Garba dance while in South India, celebrations take the form of Bommai Golu or Navratri Golu – the artistic display of dolls. We include all these in our festivities at Chinmaya Haridwar!
Chinmaya Mission Portland will be celebrating Navaratri on Saturday, October 12, 2024. After Puja, we will be doing child-friendly Dandiya Raas followed by dinner.
In this hymn, Adi Shankaracharya extols the virtues and glory of Lord Vishnu, seeking His protection and grace. The verses reflect the poet’s intense devotion and are often recited by devotees to seek spiritual upliftment and divine blessings. The Shatpadi Stotra is a concise yet profound expression of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy that emphasizes the oneness of the individual soul with the Supreme.
About the speaker:
Brahmacharini Stuti Caitanya completed the two-year Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai and was posted at Chinmaya Mission Columbus, Ohio. Stutijī is an ardent student of Vedānta and believes that teaching is the finest form of learning. She conveys the Vedantic teachings effectively and energetically to all ages. She is a talented and skilled singer with a beautiful voice. Every day, Yagna concludes with Stutiji’s melodious bhajans, transporting us to profound realms of devotion.
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.
The festival is celebrated in the month of ‘Kartik’, just after the full moon. ‘Karwa’ means small earthen pot and ‘Chauth’ stands for the fourth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna-Paksha). On this occasion, married women keep fast for their husbands’ long life and prosperity.
Karwa Chauth is not just a mere festival. The underlying significance of Karwa Chauth can make you understand its value of it. Traditionally, the festival is celebrated by several women in one place, all dressed up in glorious saris and ornaments. They put mehndi on their palms and worship the moon together. A ‘pujarin’ or a lead woman conducts the whole function. After seeing the moon, they break their fast by taking water and food from their husbands.
For Puja at Chinmaya Haridwar, please bring the following:
1. Puja Thali/plate & Lota
2. Some dry fruits in a Ziploc
3. Tlight for lighting lamp. Lamps must NOT be placed directly on our carpet.
4. Place something like cash, cloth, etc. for gifts usually given to mother-in-law or any elders.
5. Cloth to cover the plate
You can wear any traditional Indian dress with bangles and jewelry etc. If this is your first Karwa Chauth, we suggest you wear something bright.
Before sitting down for puja, fill up a puja Lota with water and leave it in your puja place. After the moonrise, you will use this water and lamp for doing the puja before eating dinner. We can give you more guidance when you come for puja.
Please note that we have a talk by Brahmacharini Stuti Chaitanya right after, so we will end Karwachauth program at 5:00PM sharp
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.
Swami Prakashanandaji’s visit in April 2024 to Chinmaya Haridwar brought an exciting invitation for us to journey together to Trinidad in November 2025, coinciding with Thanksgiving week. This is an incredible opportunity!
Trinidad, often dubbed the gem of the southern Caribbean, awaits us with its captivating beaches, ancient temples, and thrilling adventures. Join us for a group expedition where we’ll delve into new experiences, expand our horizons, and absorb knowledge that promises an unforgettable journey.
Our itinerary, which you can help plan by joining our team early, will be packed with visits to revered pilgrimage sites such as the “Temple in the Sea,” the towering 85-foot Hanumanji statue, and the serene Chinmaya ashram & Vidyalaya. These historical marvels not only offer breathtaking views but also narratives to ponder upon and insights to absorb.
As a finale to our adventure, we’ll trek up Tapovanam Hill, winding through the rainforest to reach the ashram at its peak. Traveling in Jeeps and pickup trucks, we’ll relish an incredible vista and experience.
With numerous sights to behold, ample moments for reflection, and a plethora of activities to engage in, this trip promises to be enriching in every way! As a crowning glory, Swami Prakashanandaji has offered to be there throughout the trip, conducting one Vedanta class in the morning and a Ramayana session in the evening for our spiritual upliftment.
To secure your spot, please complete the registration process and submit an initial fee of $200 per person. Upon finalizing the trip’s planning, the remaining amount of $600 per person (totaling $800 per person) will be due. This fee encompasses accommodation, meals, and local transportation throughout the trip. Airfare is not included; you may choose to book your flights separately or explore group rate options with us.
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.
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 been collaborating with Transition Projects to serve Portland’s most vulnerable residents. Volunteers cook and serve meals at a homeless shelter, for about 100-120 residents, every Saturday. Few service projects do as much immediate good or offer such a meaningful, personal experience as volunteering to prepare and serve a meal to people in need.
We encourage you to sponsor one time meal for the shelter ($150) or part of the meal through the button below, we will keep it as the seed money dedicated for this activity. Please check with your employer about matching grants, it doubles your donation’s impact today!
Thank you for your kindness & generosity in advance!
Give in plenty, with both hands give”
– Swami Chimayananda – Discourses on Taittiriya Upanisad
In 2023, we celebrated the joyous 10th anniversary of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda’s blessing bestowed upon our center, gracing it with the sacred name ‘Chinmaya Haridwar’. Join us in celebrating 10 Years of unity, growth, and community! May 8th, 2024 marks the 108th birth anniversary of our most beloved Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.. On this momentous occasion we’re reaching out to you, our valued supporter, with an exciting opportunity to make 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, nearly a hundred Bala Vihar children have graduated from Chinmaya Mission Portland. We stand prominently as a pillar in this community. Our commitment shines through the ongoing dedication of our Bala Vihar students. They immerse themselves in preparing weekly meals for the homeless shelter, organizing quarterly street cleanups, spearheading impactful environmental awareness programs, and offering free English tutoring for immigrant families, just to highlight a few of our community activities.
Together let us honor Chinmaya Hardwar’s decade-long journey, and support our cause: ‘Vedanta in Action: Celebrate 10 years of Chinmaya Haridwar‘ Let’s harness the collective power of our sankalpa to raise $500,000 to make our facility debt-free as an offering to Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda on His 108th birth anniversary.
Here’s how you can participate and make a difference:
1. Create a Fundraising Challenge today:
Consider setting up a personal ‘Vedanta In Action: Celebrating 10 years of Chinmaya Haridwar‘ fundraising challenge. Don’t know how to get started? We’ve got everything set up for you, just go through the steps mentioned below to get started fast – 1-2-3!
1
Go to “JustGiving” page and set up your user account.
Are you fundraising in the memory of someone? “No”
*
Are you taking part in an activity? “Just fundraising”
*
Are you fundraising for an occasion? “Skip this question”
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How much would you like to raise? Type your target, Aim High as Gurudev says!
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Optionally, personalize your page
3
Kick off your fundraiser page! Bookmark the page so that you can send it to your friends & family, update the offline donations you collected and watch your campaign grow!
2. Share Your Giving Story:
Join us in spreading the spirit of giving! Share on social media why you support Chinmaya Mission Portland and encourage your friends and followers to join you in making a change for the sake of the community we serve. Use the hashtag #Haridwar10 #Gurudev108 #VedantaInAction #ChinmayaMissionPortland to be part of the conversation.
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 the positive transformation it brings to individuals’ lives, the promotion of spiritual and cultural values, and its contributions to the well-being of communities. We believe in the power of collective giving to bring about meaningful change, and we’re grateful to have you as part of our community.
Let’s make 2024 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 8th 2024 to June 15 2025). 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.
