Bala Vihar is a weekly gathering of children (Preschool to Grade 12) that takes place in CMWRC Chapters under the supervision of trained teachers. The aim of Bala Vihar is to help children bloom, grow, and inculcate values through fun-filled activities. Bala Vihar enhances the overall development of the personality of a child at all levels – physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.

Please visit chapter specific sections below for more information and register!

Registration Instructions | Pledge Details

Children are a major focus at CMWRC. The goal of Bala Vihar is to “wake up the sleeping giant” in our children and inspire them to reach their maximum potential by imparting a value-based education through a specially designed age appropriate curriculum.

The Bala Vihar program offers weekly spiritual classes for children in their formative school years (Pre K to 12). The classes are organized by age groups, start and end with Sanskrit prayers, and include chanting, bhajans, stories of devotion and morals, interactive discussions, and creative games. They are of approximately 90 minutes duration including the common Assembly time, and are based on specially designed curriculum.

Bala Vihar classes are conducted at Chinmayam, Chinmaya Somnath, Frederick Chapter, and Richmond Chapter

The idea is to provide an environment where the personality of the child blossoms in a spontaneous way. Good conduct, emotional refinement, intellectual finesse, social responsibility and spiritual awareness are developed by the teachers through story-telling from the Puranas and other scriptures, singing of bhajans, chanting of stotrams, games, arts and crafts, plays and other fun-filled activities. The children are encouraged to be responsible, alert and sensitive members of society.

Swami Chinmayananda believed that just as the strength of a wall depended on the quality of each brick, so too, the health of a society depended on the individuals. If the individuals are healthy, the society is healthy. His strategy for building a new society was to “Catch ’em young,” and that is what we are trying to accomplish at CMWRC.

CMWRC also offers additional classes and activities besides the regular Bala Vihar classes to help the children blossom and develop their multi-faceted talents.

The senior Balavihar classes provide a forum for youth where they are provided an opportunity to discuss, debate and understand the logic of our religion and its tenets and to become aware of their potential. After having gained this awareness, their potential is directed into creative channels. The high school students are encouraged to volunteer in community and social service activities. Additionally, different career choices are discussed along with what it takes to be a professional in those disciplines. The aim of these classes is to prepare today’s youth to be responsible and successful adults of tomorrow.

The annual session runs from August to May, parallel to the regular school calendar.

Registration Instructions | Membership Details

Children are not vessels to be filled, but lamps to be lit. The seed of spiritual values should be sown in young hearts, and the conditions made favorable for sprouting and steady growth through proper control and discipline. It must be cared for with the warmth of love and affection, and such a tree shall blossom forth flowers of brotherhood, universal love, peace, bliss, beauty, and perfection.

Swami Chinmayananda

Curriculum varies slightly depending on the chapter location.

From the youngest Ati-Madhuram class to the Chinmayam class for high school youngsters, all Bala Vihar children participate in a variety of activities. Here are some texts that your children will be learning from based on their age/grade.

Shishu Vihar Bhajans & Rhymes

Stories and Bhajans are among the media for learning for these young children.

Alphabet Safari

Children are introduced to the positive values through the English Alphabet. For example: A for Ambition, B for Brotherhood etc. Each value is taught through a story or song.

My Prayers

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Amar Chitra Katha on Gurudev

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Bala Ramayana

Through a specially written version of the Ramayana, children learn to appreciate courage, enthusiasm and wisdom.

Hanuman Superman

The book illustrates Hanumanji’s qualities such as devotion to duty, Buddhi (intellect), strength, Yasha (fame), courage, fearlessness, alertness and eloquence.

Bala Bhagavatam

Stories from Bhagavatam are taught to children to reinforce Hindu values and philosophy. Children also learn about the nine types of Bhakti (devotion) and the significance behind the various shapes and forms of Hindu gods and rituals.

Krishna Krishna & 24 Gurus

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Saints of India

Many chosen ones came and lived among others, to show the way to God. They lived their life with the spirit and in the manner advocated by the sacred scriptures. They were able to give up everything for the discovery of God in their own heart. In the pages of this book, necessary details of the lives of these saints and the paths they chose to attain Saintliness is depicted, inspiring all readers. Their paths were many but their goal was one.

Sacred India

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Symbolism in Hinduism

Hinduism is often labeled as a religion of 330 million gods. This misunderstanding arises when people fail to grasp the symbolism of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus worship the nameless and formless Supreme Reality by various names and forms. These different aspects of the One Reality are symbolized by the many gods and goddesses of Hinduism. Each is but a symbol that points to something beyond, and as none exhaustively represents God’s actual nature, the entire array is needed to complete the picture of God’s aspects and manifestations. Symbolism plays a greater role in the religion and art of India, than in other nations.

Why Do We?

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Vibheeshana Geeta (Key to Success)

This text is based on discourses of Lord Rama to Vibheeshana in Ramayana. In Vibheeshana Geeta, Sri Rama outlines the necessary tools for human beings to complete the voyage of life safely and to attain spiritual progress and mental purification. The Vibheeshana Geeta emphasizes the importance of faith, values and devotion. Youngsters will be able to understand and appreciate that while there are bound to be ups and downs in life, devotion can help one handle both types of situations with poise and equanimity.

PO Box Mr God

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Mahabharata (MB by Rajagopalachari)

This text is based on discourses of Lord Rama to Vibheeshana in Ramayana. In Vibheeshana Geeta, Sri Rama outlines the necessary tools for human beings to complete the voyage of life safely and to attain spiritual progress and mental purification. The Vibheeshana Geeta emphasizes the importance of faith, values and devotion. Youngsters will be able to understand and appreciate that while there are bound to be ups and downs in life, devotion can help one handle both types of situations with poise and equanimity.

Hindu Culture

This is a comprehensive and complete analysis of the Hindu culture and its salient feature, its varied facets and its all-encompassing fullness. Skillful definitions, gifted quotes and striking illustrations carry the reader on a pilgrimage of the holy land that India is, and the holy culture that it has. This book will help the Indian Youth to learn and appreciate Indian culture and our heritage.

Ageless Guru

The Inspirational Life of Swami Chinmayananda.

Mahabharata – Yato Dharma Tato Jaya

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The Holy Geeta by Swami Chinmayananda

Bhagavad Gita is ‘The Lord’s Song’ is the most popular and probably the single most influential text in Hindu philosophy. It is certainly one of the world’s greatest scriptures. The message of Geeta is universal in its scope, and it opens the gate of deliverance to all without distinction. Lord Krishna states, “Through whatever paths men seek to come unto Me, I accept them through those very paths; all paths which men take, O Arjuna, lead ultimately unto Me only.” Select verses in each chapter are reviewed and studied in a discussion format with Chinmayam class students to stimulate not only learning of the literal meaning of the verses, but also the wealth of subtle knowledge behind each.

Storm to Perform by Swami Swaroopananda

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Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda

This introductory text on the fundamentals of Vedanta is written by Gurudev to be clear and logical so as to be appealing to the modern, scientific-minded generation. It is an excellent book for teenagers as well as adults. It inspires the sincere student to pursue deeper study of other Vedantic scriptural texts and understanding of the subtle truths within.

Important Notes For Parents!

We expect all children to follow these rules of conduct!

Every family, whether with children or without, whether an existing member or a new applicant for pledge, is required to register (please check these helpful instructions) using the Online Registration System. A child may not be enrolled without his/her parent’s enrollment and participation in the Adult Classes. Please note that at least one parent is required to attend the Adult Class while the children are in Bala Vihar. Children CANNOT be left at the Mission premises without a parent.

To participate in the  Bala Vihar program, students should be entering grades Pre-K to 12. Pre-K students should be toilet trained and at least three years old as of September 1, enrolling year.

Please register early to increase the likelihood of being assigned to your first-choice session. Admission and session assignment will be confirmed to you by early August.

Only children enrolled in Bala Vihar are eligible to enroll in Performing Arts and Language classes. Students must be at least 6 years of age as of September of the current enrolling year. Registered adult members can enroll in select Performing Arts classes subject to availability of seats after admitting children. Select Language and Performing Arts classes are available for enrollment for non-members as well. Click here for more details on membership and eligibility.

Chinmaya Mission reserves the right to accept or reject admission requests. For admission and session assignment, we recommend early registration. Session assignment is on a first-come basis and subject to capacity limitations (class sizes, Hall Capacity, Parking Lot Capacity, etc.)

Books can be bought through book stores at the Chinmaya Mission centers. In some cases books can be ordered through Chinmayam Publications website.

For cancellations of registrations on or before October 7, full refund of the pledge amount will be given. The Mission will not refund any credit card processing fee incurred by the registrant. A family canceling membership after October 7 will not be entitled to any refund of the pledges paid. For late registrants after October 7, they will have 15 days from the date of registration for cancellation with 50% refund. Thereafter, no refund will be made.

The family’s contact information provided to the Mission will be used only for internal purposes. If any of this information is to be used in flyers, websites or other publicity material, we will do so only with your permission.From time to time, for publicity purposes, CMWRC will publish photos of members taken at different Mission sessions or events, without identifying the members. If we have to identify the members, we will do so only with your prior permission.

Sevaks (volunteers) are critical to the operation of the chapter and programs.  Chinmaya Mission is a volunteer run organization. Every member is highly encouraged to serve the mission in their area of interests, based on their skills and expertise.  Selfless dedicated service is the foundation for spiritual growth.  Any amount of time and commitment offered in seva is welcome.

When registering, please ensure that you provide a current and accurate e-mail address. Please login and update information promptly if there is any change to your contact e-mail or home address. Most communications between CMWRC and its members, including weather- related cancellations, are handled via e-mail.

Need further help? Click here to contact our Membership Team!