Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles celebrated a grand Hanuman Havan on September 5, attracting over 2,000 participants and emphasizing community, devotion, and cultural heritage.
CHINO HILLS, CA – On September 5, Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles (CMLA) hosted the Shri Hanuman Chalisa Samashti Havan, a monumental event that drew over 2,000 participants. The day was marked by 108 sacred fire pits, 15,000 recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa, and six hours of continuous devotion, alongside the serving of thousands of meals.
This event was part of a worldwide celebration commemorating the 75th anniversary of Chinmaya Mission, known as Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav. It honored Lord Hanuman, who is revered as an embodiment of selfless service and devotion. The gathering united members of the Indian American community from various organizations under the CMLA umbrella for collective prayer, fellowship, and a celebration of their shared cultural and spiritual heritage.
The day began early, with volunteers and priests transporting a beautifully adorned Panchamukha Hanuman deity in procession from its temple home in Torrance, CA. The idol was installed at the havan site as the presiding deity, serving as the spiritual focal point for the day’s activities.
Swami Swaroopananda, head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, presided over the event alongside Swami Shantananda, president of Chinmaya West. The morning also featured other spiritual and community leaders, as well as elected officials.
Congressman Dave Min (D-CA-47) was the guest of honor and delivered a brief address emphasizing diversity as a foundational principle of American society. He connected his remarks to the event’s central theme, ‘samashti,’ which means “collective” or “whole.” Min, who wore a tilak and mala, spoke about harmony and expressed condolences for the pilgrims who lost their lives in the recent tragic floods in Nepal.
Other distinguished guests included Irvine Council Member Melinda Liu, Artesia Council Member Zeel Ahir, and Consul Kulwant Singh of the Indian Consulate in Los Angeles.
CMLA is also celebrating 30 years under the leadership of Swami Ishwarananda, who has significantly expanded the center’s activities and community role. His initiatives include the Sunday Bala Vihar program, which currently serves approximately 1,000 children. U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and California Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA-40) presented laudatory messages recognizing Swami Ishwarananda’s contributions to the community.
During the event, dignitaries presented commemorative plaques to Swami Swaroopananda, who addressed the gathering with warmth and shared the spiritual significance of the occasion. He recounted a traditional story about Lord Shiva, who was so pleased with Sant Tulsidas’ ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ that he blessed those who chant it 100 times, assuring them that they would achieve their life’s goals and overcome all limitations.
Swami Swaroopananda also highlighted a remarkable statistic from the worldwide anniversary celebration: the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ has been chanted approximately 550 million times through the efforts of Chinmaya Mission.
The Havan ceremony was conducted in four batches throughout the day. Fifteen minutes before each group’s scheduled time, ushers guided participants into the main Havan arena, where 108 fire pits were meticulously arranged in a grid. Fresh fuel bricks and ceremonial materials, including ghee, flowers, rice, sandalwood paste, and Kumkum, were placed at each station.
As instructions appeared on large LED screens, volunteers lit all 108 fires. Despite the afternoon heat and swirling winds that carried smoke across the arena, the atmosphere remained vibrant. The collective chanting of the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ grew louder and more focused with each repetition.
Children from the Chinmaya Bala Vihar program also participated in the chanting. Animated images of Lord Hanuman were displayed on large screens as the children recited the sacred verses composed by poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas from the stage, their voices resonating across the grounds.
Between Havan sessions, attendees explored exhibition booths representing CMLA’s seven regional centers across Southern California, including locations in Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. The booths illustrated verses from the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and offered activities for children, such as games, face painting, and henna. Displays traced CMLA’s history in Southern California, while a bookstore featured publications ranging from children’s stories to advanced Vedantic texts.
A prominent exhibit showcased the life story of Chinmaya Mission founder Swami Chinmayananda through large vertical visual panels. Many attendees paused to view the display and capture photographs.
After their Havan session, participants were directed to the dining area, where they received fresh boxed mahaprasad before the next group arrived.
The day concluded with a mahaaarati after the final batch completed its chants. Swami Ishwarananda expressed gratitude to all attendees, with special appreciation for the CMLA volunteers whose tireless efforts made the day’s celebration of faith, unity, and community spirit possible.
According to India West, the event exemplified the strength and unity of the Indian American community in Southern California.