Bala Vihar Activity
Introduction
Bala Vihar is a group of children, meeting once a week, at a set venue, for 60-90 minutes, for the sole purpose of learning our precious culture, spiritual wisdom, and related values through stories, games, quizzes, crafts, bhajans, hymns, shlokas, skits, dances, etc.Bala Vihar inculcates the values of Sanatana Dharma, as taught in our scriptures-Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta, Upanishads, Epics and Puranas-helping us to grow into responsible citizens of tomorrow.
Bala Vihar classes for various age groups are conducted by trained sevaks and sevikas. These voluntary dedicated workers impart to children, the glory of our rich culture, aiming at character formation and reverence for our ancient heritage. Additional activities that help to reinforce the vision of balvihar include cultural shows, Geeta chanting competition, and balvihar residential or day camps.<
Please visit for the centres information: www.chinmayamission.com/where-we-are
Eligibility
Children from ages 5-12 years are eligible to join Bala Vihar. Those who graduate out of Bala Vihars, then join Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK), the Youth wing of Chinmaya Mission.
Students are divided into junior and senior groups based on grade and learning in both Bala Vihar and CHYK classes:
- Junior Bala Vihar: 5-9 years
- Senior Bala Vihar: 10-12 years
- Junior CHYK: 13-16 years
- Senior CHYK: 17-30 years
Vision
Swami Chinmayananda - “Children are not vessels to be filled but lamps to be lit.”
Motto
Swami Chinmayananda's - Keep Smiling
Swami Tejomayananda's - "To help children learn values with fun, To delight like the moon and shine like the sun
Shishu Vihar
Shishu Vihar is Chinmaya Mission’s latest creative venture. Aiming to “catch them young”, it is a forum to instil strong ethical values in children under the age of 4. Indian tradition understands the significance of sowing seeds early, even as early as the pre-natal stage. Shishu Vihar introduces toddlers to basic concepts that enable spiritual development through cultural education.Classes follow the structure of a modern play group where infants and toddlers, accompanied by their mothers, learn basic concepts through songs, stories and arts and crafts, in a manner appropriate to their age and development. Several props involving an extensive array of colours, shapes and forms, are used to relay the information to the infants
The little ones have already demonstrated a quick ability to learn and strong retention powers, with even three year olds being able to chant the Hanuman Chalisa! The accompanying mothers take the rhymes and stories home and aid in embedding these strongly in the tender minds.
Shishu Vihar classes have been running successfully in America, Australia and South East Asia for the last two years. A training course for Shishu Vihar Sevaks was conducted in August 2013 at Chinmaya Sagar, Mumbai, by Swamini Supriyananda, with the aim of starting Shishu Vihar classes in Andheri, South Mumbai and Matunga. A very first in India, it is aimed to spread the program throughout the nation thus promoting an individual’s spiritual development right from infancy.
Balvihar Magazine
The Chinmaya Mission's Kids Magazine, Balvihar was created in order to link children of Bala Vihars all over India and the world so that the children could, through its pages, share common bonds of love, learning and laughter. In his message for the inaugural issue of the Balvihar magazine, Swami Chinmayananda wrote, “We shall, through this journal, build bridges of love and understanding between children everywhere, and we shall learn to create a greater world out of what our parents have given us now.”
Balvihar has been serving children, parents, and grandparents for over 38 years now. It's current worldwide circulation is over 40,000. June 2013 was a milestone in the magazine’s history as it won the ICE (In-house Communication Excellence) Award for the ‘best magazine among NGOs’.
An inspiring story, a powerful idea, a catchy poem or an enchanting picture remains etched as an abiding memory in growing minds. It is, therefore, important to provide children with a strong value system, right from the beginning, so that they grow up to be responsible, honest, courageous and forthright citizens of tomorrow. Balvihar gives youngsters a solid and durable foundation of ethics and right thinking in their receptive years by its excellent combination of reading and learning with fun, love and laughter.
The Balvihar magazine:
- provides children with new, interesting and stimulating articles on Indian culture and sacred stories on a regular basis
- is full of poems, riddles, jokes and quizzes
- motivates children to read, think and write originally and creatively
- encourages and develops a life-long habit of reading
- builds a foundation of strong ideals and moral values
- has vibrant illustrations that captivate the reader’s imagination and makes reading and learning fun!
Balvihar’s annual subscription and life subscription offers are ideal gifts for every child in every city, town, and village, in every country around the world! HURRY! Register now to participate in all the contests, games & fun stuff and also to receive newsletters, information about our activities, gifts and lots more!!!
Balvihar Subscription
You can subscribe to Balvihar Magazine online as well as offline.
Subscription Rates: (India)
Annual: Rs. 250 /-Three years: Rs. 700 /-
Five years: Rs. 1200 /-
Fifteen years: Rs. 3500 /-
Subscription Rates: (Overseas)
Annual: $50/-Two years: $ 80/-
Three years: $ 120/-
Five years: $ 200/-
Fifteen years: $500 /-
Fifteen years (for a gift in India): $80 /-
Subscribe Online
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Online Subscription Form :
Subscribe Offline
For subscribing online, please send your cheques to:
Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
Sandeepany Sadhanalaya
Saki Vihar Road, Powai
Mumbai - 400 0072
Maharashtra, India
email: balvihar@chinmayamission.com, bveditor@chinmayamission.com
Tel: +91 22 2803 4932
Boogie Woogie Ganesha
By Swamini Supriyananda
Boogie Woogie Ganesha is a captivating adaptation of a story from the Puranas showing Ganesha's great strength and compassion. Children will be delighted by the character-building message that shines through as this charming story unfolds.Ganesha goes to a party
By Swamini Supriyananda
Four years olds will enjoy Kubera's party as they see little Ganesha eat his way through all the food, the plates and even the palace to finally humble the pride and arrogance of Kubera.Ganesha's mousecapade
By Swamini Supriyananda
Ganesha's mousecapade is a charming adapatation of a story from Puranas that illustrates how turning to Lord Ganesha is a sure means of making our negativity small, and how, once this is achieved, such a blessed individual can become a vehicle for carrying Ganesha's grace to one and all. This makes one of the subtlest concepts in philosophy easy-to-understand and enjoyable.Shiva's fish swish
By Swamini Supriyananda
Shiva's Fish Swish is a playful rendering of a story from Puranas. This legend is a celebration of Lord Shiva's love, compassion and deep wisdom. Nandi and mother Parvati, symbolise the great relationship between the Lord and the devotee or the Guru and the disciple. The simplicity in the message and humour in the narration will captivate children's hearts and minds.Krishna's butter bash
By Swamini Supriyananda
Krishna's Butter Bash aims to introduce Shri Krishna and His wisdom to today's children so that they may be inspired by Him and relate to Him as a lovable friend and role model to look-up to, in their everyday life situations and challenges. This story has been adapted from Shrimad Bhagavatam. Krishna's Butter Bash aims to introduce Shri Krishna and His wisdom to today's children so that they may be inspired by Him and relate to Him as a lovable friend and role model to look-up to, in their everyday life situations and challenges. This story has been adapted from Shrimad Bhagavatam.Krishna an invisible friend
By Swamini Supriyananda
Krishna - An Invisible Friend aims to introduce Shri Krishna and His wisdom to today's children so that they may be inspired by Him and relate to Him as a lovable friend and role model to look-up to, in their everyday life situations and challenges.Krishna loves you
By Swamini Supriyananda
'Krishna Loves You' is written in a tender yet playful style, enabling the captivating passages to provide little ones with the camaraderie of the Ultimate companion, Shri Krishna.The author introduces Shri Krishna as a gentle friend, engaging children in the early stages of devotion. Little minds will love journeying into a magical land where they will discover the joy, enchantment and excitement of playful Krishna.
A delightful way for parents to turn bedtime into a wonderous experience and to kindle the spark of faith and love in the formative stages.
Krishna photocopies himself
By Swamini Supriyananda
Krishna Photocopies Himself aims to introduce Shri Krishna and His wisdom to today's children so that they may be inspired by Him and relate to Him as a lovable friend and role model to look-up to, in their everyday life situations and challenge.This story from the Bhagwatam is an introduction to Krishna’s wisdom. Brahmaji hides Krishna’s friends and their calves. Krishna duplicates each one of them and Brahmaji learns his lesson.
Designed for 6 year olds and above, this story has been adapted from the Sreemad Bhagwatam.
Krishna rocks
By Swamini Supriyananda
'Krishna Loves You' is written in a tender yet playful style, enabling the captivating passages to provide little ones with the camaraderie of the Ultimate companion, Shri Krishna.The author introduces Shri Krishna as a gentle friend, engaging children in the early stages of devotion. Little minds will love journeying into a magical land where they will discover the joy, enchantment and excitement of playful Krishna.
A delightful way for parents to turn bedtime into a wonderous experience and to kindle the spark of faith and love in the formative stages.
Little Yash has Lost his smile
By Swamini Supriyananda
A Lift the flap; POP-UP book for children, as they follow little Yash around, while he looks for his smile in the most unlikely places and ends up finding it in the _ _ _ !!!Let the child DISCOVER the secret from this book. A book with value added details on every page, high end printing quality.
Little Yash is filled up
By Swamini Supriyananda
In his book I LOVE YOU - Letters to Children, Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda explains lucidly the most profound truths about how love enhances and even sustains our life. He emphasises that while each of us naturally seeks love, in the process we often forget that it is actually ours to give. And it is only in giving that we truely receive; only in actively reaching out to others do we really find fulfilment within.This time-tested, insighful message is the inspiration for the story Little Yash Is Filled Up. Because of their innate simplicity and sensitivity, children are often more receptive than adiults to such ideas, and if they imbibe them in their formative years, then those ideas become an integral part of their personality.
Chinmaya Bala Katha is series of books aimed at lighting the lamp of knowledge in young hearts and minds, to equip them for a more holistic, meaningful life ahead.
Little Yash is happy right now
By Swamini Supriyananda
Ganesha's strength and compassion From Chinmaya Balvihar Katha series, is an interactive journey with little Yash. The theme of the story subtly tells the children to live in the moment.A Lift the flap amp; POP-UP book for children. A book with value added details on every page, high end printing quality...
Tarangini 1
By Swami Chinmayananda
Swamini Saradapriyananda
"Morality can never be taught, it can only be caught."Swami Chinmayananda.The Tarangini series brings eternal human values alive through delightful tales. Learn the secret of Rama nama. Laugh at the dishonest shop keeper's dilemma. See the power of Markandeya's devotion defeat death and marvel at the wish fulfilling tree. Watch the churning of the ocean and see Mohini's enchanting dance as she saves the devatas and gives them amrita.
A graded series of books for children from 5 to 15 years. - Can serve as a guide to value-based education in schools from classes 1 - 10.
Tarangini 2
By Swami Chinmayananda
Swamini Saradapriyananda
"Morality can never be taught, it can only be caught."Swami Chinmayananda.The Tarangini series brings eternal human values alive through delightful tales. Learn the secret of Rama nama. Laugh at the dishonest shop keeper's dilemma. See the power of Markandeya's devotion defeat death and marvel at the wish fulfilling tree. Watch the churning of the ocean and see Mohini's enchanting dance as she saves the devatas and gives them amrita.
A graded series of books for children from 5 to 15 years. - Can serve as a guide to value-based education in schools from classes 1 - 10.
Tarangini 3
By Swami Chinmayananda
Swamini Saradapriyananda
"Morality can never be taught, it can only be caught."Swami Chinmayananda.The Tarangini series brings eternal human values alive through delightful tales. Learn the secret of Rama nama. Laugh at the dishonest shop keeper's dilemma. See the power of Markandeya's devotion defeat death and marvel at the wish fulfilling tree. Watch the churning of the ocean and see Mohini's enchanting dance as she saves the devatas and gives them amrita.
A graded series of books for children from 5 to 15 years. - Can serve as a guide to value-based education in schools from classes 1 - 10.
Tarangini 4
By Swami Chinmayananda
Swamini Saradapriyananda
"Morality can never be taught, it can only be caught."Swami Chinmayananda.The Tarangini series brings eternal human values alive through delightful tales. Learn the secret of Rama nama. Laugh at the dishonest shop keeper's dilemma. See the power of Markandeya's devotion defeat death and marvel at the wish fulfilling tree. Watch the churning of the ocean and see Mohini's enchanting dance as she saves the devatas and gives them amrita.
A graded series of books for children from 5 to 15 years. - Can serve as a guide to value-based education in schools from classes 1 - 10.
Tarangini 5
By Swami Chinmayananda
Swamini Saradapriyananda
"Morality can never be taught, it can only be caught."Swami Chinmayananda.The Tarangini series brings eternal human values alive through delightful tales. Learn the secret of Rama nama. Laugh at the dishonest shop keeper's dilemma. See the power of Markandeya's devotion defeat death and marvel at the wish fulfilling tree. Watch the churning of the ocean and see Mohini's enchanting dance as she saves the devatas and gives them amrita.
A graded series of books for children from 5 to 15 years. - Can serve as a guide to value-based education in schools from classes 1 - 10.
Tarangini 6
By Swami Chinmayananda
Swamini Saradapriyananda
"Morality can never be taught, it can only be caught."Swami Chinmayananda.The Tarangini series brings eternal human values alive through delightful tales. Learn the secret of Rama nama. Laugh at the dishonest shop keeper's dilemma. See the power of Markandeya's devotion defeat death and marvel at the wish fulfilling tree. Watch the churning of the ocean and see Mohini's enchanting dance as she saves the devatas and gives them amrita.
A graded series of books for children from 5 to 15 years. - Can serve as a guide to value-based education in schools from classes 1 - 10.
Tarangini 7
By Swami Chinmayananda
Swamini Saradapriyananda
"Morality can never be taught, it can only be caught."Swami Chinmayananda.The Tarangini series brings eternal human values alive through delightful tales. Learn the secret of Rama nama. Laugh at the dishonest shop keeper's dilemma. See the power of Markandeya's devotion defeat death and marvel at the wish fulfilling tree. Watch the churning of the ocean and see Mohini's enchanting dance as she saves the devatas and gives them amrita.
A graded series of books for children from 5 to 15 years. - Can serve as a guide to value-based education in schools from classes 1 - 10.