Thousands Celebrate Chinmaya Mission’s 75th Anniversary with Hanuman Havan & Family Mela
On Saturday, July 11, 2026, the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, Illinois, came alive with the divine energy of about 4,000 attendees as Chinmaya Mission Chicago successfully hosted “Vayuputra in Windy City,” a religious and community extravaganza to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Chinmaya Mission.
The event was a resounding success for all age groups, with the main Hanuman Chalisa Havan accompanied by cultural programs, exhibits, children’s activities, business booths, and food trucks.
Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission and Chairman of the Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, gave an inspiring message highlighting the connection of Hanuman ji with Chicago with mention of “Chi,” the life-giving energy (Prana) from Chinese lore and the Windy City. Other spiritual leaders of Chinmaya Mission present included Swami Sharanananda, Swami Aparajitananda, Respected Dhiren Khatri, Brahmacharini Sahana Chaitanya, and Brahmacharini Sandhya Chaitanya.
At the heart of the celebration was a deeply moving Havan featuring 31 Havan Kunds invoking Hanuman ji. Devotees offered ahutis as 21 rounds of the Hanuman Chalisa were chanted in different tunes by many teams from the five Chinmaya Mission Midwest centers (Badri, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Omkara, and Hamsavahini) as well as other area organizations.
Throughout the day, children joyfully participated in exciting outdoor games such as Sita’s Hidden Trail treasure hunt, Lanka Leap across the mini ocean, Hanuman’s Challenge obstacle course, and the fun I Am Hanuman! photo booth. Indoors, they enjoyed creative activities including Vayu’s Breath cup-blowing game, Ramayana Studio arts and crafts, Hanuman’s Sabha puzzles, and Build the Setu bridge-building.
The event also paid homage to the legacy of Swami Chinmayananda through a dedicated Chinmaya Darshan exhibit that allowed attendees to walk through his life and work. The Bala Vihar booth attracted significant interest from parents looking to involve their children in the popular Sunday classes.
The indoor Mela was a hive of activity, featuring more than 53 booths from many global and local spiritual, cultural, and community groups. Local businesses showcased many offerings such as art, jewelry, and clothing; yoga, dance, and music lessons; financial consulting; health services; and mobile applications.
After the religious events, the attendees were treated to a mesmerizing cultural program that showcased various aspects of the Ramayana through the rich dance traditions of India, ranging from Odissi, Bharatanatyam, contemporary dance, and folk dances from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Punjab.
The program culminated in a collective Hanuman Chalisa chanting by Chinmaya Mission Chicago’s “Chicago Chants Chalisa” initiative, which taught the Chalisa to more than 600 adults and children in various neighborhoods.
Throughout the day, a variety of area food vendors served delicious vegetarian food and beverages, making it a complete family mela experience.
More than 250 Chinmaya volunteers were supported by several volunteers from partner organizations to make the event a memorable one for the entire city.
Enjoy the glimpses of the events:
