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CHINMAYA MISSION AUSTIN |
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CHINMAYA VATIKA - OUR BEGINNING |
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over fifteen years ago in April 1988, a group of visionary families
started the Austin branch of Chinmaya Mission with the inspiration and
full support of Acharya Gaurangbhai and Acharya Darshanaben of the
Houston Chinmaya Center. These parents realized that their children
needed a means of learning about their rich culture and religion if they
were to grow up with a solid sense of self worth and appreciation of
their ancient heritage. Also, these parents recognized their own need
for spiritual fulfillment. The Austin center has grown by leaps and bounds to arrive at where it is today. The core group of fifteen families that met in the homes of two dedicated members has blossomed into a large Chinmaya Parivar. |
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![C:\Users\Meena\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Low\Content.IE5\RP2ZDFMD\Vatika_Saras3[1].jpg](the_beginnings_files/image004.jpg) |
After several unavoidable changes of venue, Austin Chinmaya Mission finally attained its long-time goal of purchasing its own property. In the summer of 2001, CM Austin purchased a beautiful property with 6.1 acres of land in Round Rock, a quiet area on the outskirts of the city. In July 2001, Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda made a quick detour through Austin to inaugurate and bless our property. He named it Chinmaya Vatika. The tranquil, rural atmosphere of Vatika is especially conducive to spiritual study. The acquisition of Vatika was made possible through generous donations from community members as well as loans from several other sources. Since then, many dedicated members have donated generously of their time and talent for the upkeep of Vatika as well as to perform much needed renovation. | |
| Vatika has been expanded from the original 3200 square feet single-story structure, to include a 1600 square feet prayer hall on the on the second floor. Over the many years Chinmaya Mission Austin has continued to grow leaps and bounds towards fulfilling its part in the Pujya Gurudev's vision for the mission.Through the grace of Pujya Gurudev and Pujya Guruji, Chinmaya Vatika was blessed with its resident acharya in the form of Brahmachari Girish Chaitanya in October 2009. Girishji has energized the Vatika with his presence and guidance creating an explosion of activities like starting the south center starting January 2009, various study groups for CHYK, Ramcharita Manas in Hindi and Gujarati, and various Satsang. |
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