About Chinmaya Mission Alpharetta

Alpharetta, a suburb approximately 20 miles from downtown Atlanta, Georgia, saw the birth of Chinmaya Bala Vihar in March 2001.

Sudha Malhotra, an active sevak who had moved from CM Ann Arbor, was inspired to start CM activities in the area. She soon met Bhavana Subramanian, a 15-year Atlanta resident, who was enthusiastic about starting CM classes and offered to help. Through the guidance and support of CM Ann Arbors, Key Sevak, Sharada Kumar, Chinmaya Bala Vihar classes began in Sudha’s basement with 25 kids in two classes, on the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri 2001. At the same time, Sudha also started her first Study Group for parents, with 10 participants.

By the time the next session started in Sep. 2001, Bala Vihar in Alpharetta had grown to 100 kids. Space was being rented at a day care facility. The numbers grew every year and in 2006-2007, two sessions had to be held to accommodate 350 kids—not to mention, there was a long waiting list of eager families.

In 2007, CM Alpharetta became an official unincorporated center of CMW. CM Alpharetta’s Bala Vihar classes are now held in a middle school, with 400 kids in 22 classes divided by grade.

While there is no resident acharya at this center, many dedicated sevaks take on various tasks and help organize all the CM activities and regular classes. Sudha Malhotra is the key coordinator of Bala Vihar (curriculum, teachers), Study Group, yajnas, and camps. Bhavana Subramanian is the key coordinator of administration, publications, and language classes. Both are aided by a strong team of sevaks and their spouses.

Study Groups: Group 1 has 12 -14 participants; Group 2 has 6 participants; Group 3 has about 15 (started since Oct 07 ) .

Gita Study Group: 60 participants

Language Classes: Hindi (60), Tamil (30), Telugu (30), Kannada (25)

Yoga: 30-40 kids

A chanting and bhajan class will begin in Sep. 2007, as well as a Junior CHYK class for high schoolers.

CM Alpharetta conducts two jnana yajnas every year. By June 2007, the center had been visited and blessed by Swami Chidatmananda, Brahmachari Prabodh Chaitanya, and Swami Prakashananda. The center hosted its first out-of-state camp over Memorial Day Weekend at Amelia Island Resort in Florida, with Acharya Vilasini (CM Washington DC) and Brahmacharini Arpita (CM St. Augustine).

Gita chanting competition: CM Alpharetta conducts a Gita Chanting competition for the Bala Vihar children annually. The competition is closely coordinated with the competition conducted by CM Atlanta Bala Vihar, and many of our Bala Vihar children participate in both competitions.

While certain festivals are held as special events—Holi Picnic at the park, Navaratri Ras-Garba, and Mahashivaratri Puja—others are celebrated as part of the regular class schedule.

Four successful years of annual BV cultural programs have passed. In 2006, the event had to be held in two parts because of time constraints and the volume of participation. The thematic event incorporates yet extends beyond the BV curriculum, in order to enhance the learning process in a fun and a creative way. Teachers and parents work together, guided by an event team, to stage an enjoyable and memorable show.