Chinmaya Mission^® Washington Regional Center

Information

(Please check all links below and on the left index information for pertinent information)

Driving Directions to the main Center  

Video and Audio: Jay Sriram, Sreekumar,

What Is Bala Vihar?

Chinmaya Mission, under the inspiration of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, has over the last fifty years developed a program of religious instruction and personality development for children and youth called Chinmaya Bala Vihar. Children learn religious practices, prayers, poojas, bhajans, meditation, the significance of holy days, and spiritual values. They read Ramayana and other religious scriptures. Class size is limited to ensure individual attention. The teachers are dedicated volunteers who have been trained to impart religious values to children.

Chinmaya Bala Vihar is for children from Pre-KG through High School. Parent education is also an integral part of our program. At least one parent is required to attend a concurrent adult class on Vedanta taught by Swami Dheerananda or other Mission acharyas. The program is open to all who are interested in learning about Hinduism.

Bala Vihar classes are held on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.  On Sunday the classes are also held from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM The classes begin on the Sunday after Labor Day and end for summer recess in mid-June. Optional classes on Hindi and Sanskrit are held from 9:00-9:50 a.m. Classes on Bharat Natyam, Tabla, and Karnatak Vocal Music are held from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. In the Washington area, classes are held in the main Chinmaya Center in Silver Spring (Chinmayam), as well as in satellite centers in Burke, and Richmond, VA, and Baltimore, Frederick, and Salisbury, MD. (Check out the Activities Main Page for details).

Chinmaya Mission suggests a donation of $30/month per family, plus $15 per child. Language and music and dance classes are extra. This nominal charge covers the overhead expenses. The fees can be paid either by monthly bank debit or by a one-time donation at the beginning of the year. Although the classes run for 9 months of the year, the costs are spread over 12 months. Details are printed on the Registration Form also available on the Bala Vihar Page.

Interested families should contact Chinmaya Mission for a Registration Form, and submit it to the Mission. The annual Registration Deadline is in mid-June. After this date, children will be accepted on a space-available basis. If space is not available, they will be placed on a waiting list. Thank you for your interest!