Swami Sharanananda
Swami Sharanananda hails from Puri in Orissa. Being inspired by Pujya Gurudev H.H. Swami Chinmayanandji, he joined the two year brahmachari training course in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai, in the year 1986. He was trained by H.H. Swami Tejomayanandaji. He was given Brahmachari Diksha in 1988 and became Br. Sharana Chaitanya. He has served Chinmaya Mission centers in Anugul, Rourkela and Calcutta. He has been the resident Acharya at Chinmaya Mission Chicago since March 1993.
On July 9, 1995 he was initiated into Sannyasa Diksha by H.H. Swami Tejomayanandaji and became Swami Sharanananda. He conducts yogasana and other scriptural classes during Chinmaya Mission family camps in America and Canada. Swamiji likes to be with children. He places great importance on value based living.
Because of Swamiji’s dedication to Pujya Gurudev and his selfless service to Chinmaya Mission Chicago, the center has not only thrived, but has expanded to serve the spiritual needs of many neighboring communities. Yamunotri in Graylake, IL and NW Indiana center in Munster, IN are prime examples of the growth that CMC has experienced within the past several years.

Swami Aparajitananda
In his early years, Swami Aparajitananda earned his professional degrees in Electronics and Communication Engineering. He worked in Bangalore as a lecturer in an Engineering College for five years, before resigning from the job in order to study the Indian scriptures in depth. After undergoing intense training at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai for two years in the Residential Vedanta Course, Swamiji joined Chinmaya Mission as a full-time Brahmachari.

In the year 2018, on Maha Shivaratri day, Swamiji was given Sannyasa Deeksha. Over the years, Pujya Swamiji has served the Mission centers in Bangalore, Mysore, Shimoga, and most recently in Mangalore.

Swamiji has conducted several discourses in different parts of India and in reputed institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai. The depth of his understanding along with clarity in the subject is clearly visible in all his discourses. He relates well to youth and adults alike and has offered Jnana Yajnas on various Vedanta texts and topics. He is also a regular contributor to various magazines and his articles are widely appreciated by all.

Deity: Lord Badri Narayana

Consecration Date : 24th Oct 1993
Address:
Chinmaya Mission Badri, 11 S 80 Route, 83Willowbrook, Chicago – 60527, Illinois.
Phone: +1-630-654 3370
Temple timing: Sundays 9 am to 3 pm.
Temple Description:
The sthapana mahotsava of the idol of Lord Badri Narayana took place on 24th October 1993, presided over by Swami Tejomayananda. On July 1 1993 Pujya Gurudev spent two hours at the Shrine location, even though in a wheelchair, giving detailed instructions for the upcoming inaugural function. The majestic Lord Narayana, in a sitting posture, graces the large satsang hall. The Lord blesses a number of spiritual and cultural activities at the centre.
Temple Activities :
∙ Shishu Vihar for 2 & 3 years old with a Parent Present on Sundays – 9 am – 10 am & 1 pm – 2 pm
∙ Bala Vihar for Pre-KG to 12th Graders on Sundays – 9 am – 11 am & 1 pm – 3 pm
∙ Adults Vedanta Study Groups on Sundays during our Bala Vihar Session
∙ Summer Youth Camp for Bala Vihar Children
∙ Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) Activities (Ages – 18 – 28) – For College going and young adults – Bi-yearly CHYK Retreats
∙ Weekly Discourses by Swamiji (includes weekends/weekdays)
∙ Various other visiting Swamins/Brahmacharins Vedanta Discourses
∙ Monthly Lord Satya Narayana Puja coinciding Pouranami Days (our Calendar will have the schedule – https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=badriit22%40gmail.com&ctz=America%2FChicago
∙ Weekly Bhajan on Saturdays at our Shrine and 2nd Saturday day bhajans at the Devotee’s homes
∙ On request (advanced notice required) pujas for devotees to celebrate b’days/anniversaries, etc.
∙ Bi-Annual Gita Chanting Competitions and yearly Regional Competition involving all our Midwest Regional Satellite centers

Festivals celebrated: Maha Siva Ratri, Shri Rama Navami, Shri Krishna Jayanti, Lord Badri Murthi Sthapana Anniversary Puja, Holi, Deepavali, Shri Ganesh Chaturti, Shri Hanuman Jayanti, GuruDev Jayanti, Gurudev Mahasamadhi Worship, Mother’s Day Matru Puja, Gita Jayanti, Swami Tapovan Jayanti, Ganesh & Saraswathi Puja during our start of our Yearly activities (September beginning).

Web link, live streaming link: www.mychinmaya.org
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/6883016826

The Chinmaya Mission Chicago – Yamunotri meets on Saturday & Sunday for a united goal, to better understand “the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, thus becoming positive contributors to society.”
Value-based, character molding Bala Vihar® classes are offered for grades pre-K to 12, based upon the time-tested guidelines as prescribed by Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda. Bhagavad-Gita Discourse by resident acharyas and discussion groups are offered for adults.

Deity: Shri Radha Krishna.

Consecration date : August 28, 2008
Address: 30877 N. Fairfield Rd, Grayslake, IL – 60030
Temple timing : The center is open during Weekend Balavihar activities and Weekday discourses listed on the website.
Temple description:
There is not a separate temple at our center. Chinmaya Mission Chicago- Yamunotri is a School of Vedantic Studies and includes a beautiful shrine for Shri Radha Krishna.
Temple activities : See Website; regular Bala Vihar, Sishu Vihar, JCHYK, Adult Study Group sessions (Saturdays AM Session:10:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Saturdays PM Session : 2:00 PM – 4 PM; Sundays 10 AM -12 PM); other special events, retreats, discourses, yagnas for Youth and Adults .
Festivals celebrated: We celebrate all major festivals; Deepavali, MahaSiva Raatri and Shri Rama Navami are celebrated on a larger scale as a combined event across all 3 sessions. See Calendar tab on the website for full details.
Web link, live streaming link:
Website: https://www.chinmaya-yamunotri.com/home
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2SfdwgLn7M27AFFWsPeTog

Chinmaya Mission Gangotri offers Chinmaya Bala Vihar and Shishu Vihar classes for children 18 months to 18 years under the guidance of Swami Sharananandaji and Shri Dhiren Khatri.
Please take a look at the schedule to appreciate the wide range of services being provided at Gangotri
This success is mainly due to Gurudev’s blessings, the dedicated and enthusiastic seva of the members of the Gangotri families, the Acharyas and teachers, and last but not least, the continued encouragement and support rendered by the numerous devotees of Gurudev.
Contact Details:
Address: Urban Prairie Waldorf School, 1310 S Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608
(Sundays from 9:30am-12:00pm)
Phone: (347) 829 9099
Email address: ChicagoChinmaya@gmail.com
Website: https://www.chinmayagangotri.org/