Bhagavati Gayatri Devi Murti Sthapana was completed in the presence of the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji on August 4, 2024, at Chinmaya Mission Cleveland in Richfield, Ohio. Guided by Shri Vivek Guptaji and driven by the tireless Sevaks and Sevikas (volunteers), this event was the culmination of a 17 month-long project of purchasing and extensively renovating the building as well as getting the Murti from India which took almost 10 months to be shipped to the US. This would not have been possible without the generosity of many CM families and Cleveland community members who responded through financial commitments, time, and efforts, which led to the fruition of the sankalpa of bringing Bhagavati Gayatri to Chinmaya Mission Cleveland.
In preparation for Murti Sthapana, Ganapati, Navagraha, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati & Vastu pujas and Havans were performed on August 3, 2024. This was followed by Bhagavati Gayatri Devi Murti Sthapana on the morning of August 4, 2024, in the presence of Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji, which was attended by nearly 250 individuals from Cleveland and other locations in the USA, Canada, and India. Priests from Greater Cleveland Shiva Vishnu Temple and Sree Venkateshwara Temple performed the Havans and Sthapana puja according to Vedic traditions on these days which were well appreciated by everyone present.
Along with Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji and Shri Vivek Guptaji, teachers from other CM centers, Shri Vijay Guptaji, Smt. Madhu Guptaji, Brni Stutiji, Shri Shankar Rajupetji and Br. Darshanji, graced this auspicious event with their presence. Ohio State Senator Mr. Niraj Antani and Mayor of Richfield Village, Mr. Michael Wheeler also attended the event. Many representatives from Buffalo, Columbus, and Pittsburgh CM centers in the USA and Niagara Falls and London centers in Canada were also present for this event. Board Members of Greater Cleveland Shiva Vishnu temple, Sree Venkateshwara temple, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Jain Temple, and Gurudwaras participated in this significant event on August 4, 2024. Swami Swaroopanandaji also unveiled a plaque, which formally named the CM Cleveland Ashram as “Chinmaya Gayatri”.
Bhagavati Gayatri Devi Homam was performed each day, in the evening, prior to Swamiji’s spiritual discourses from August 4-6, 2024. Swami Swaroopanandaji eloquently explained the necessity and significance of the Gayatri Mantra to an audience of more than 100, who were present each evening. Delicious Lunch and Dinner prasad by the local caterers were enjoyed by all after the events. Everyone appreciated the substantial logistics support provided tirelessly by several youth volunteers of CM Cleveland during the events on all four days.
