Chinmaya Mission Atlanta was formally established in January 1994 by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, previous head of Central Mission® Worldwide. When Pujya Guruji conducted a three-day jnana yajna during his 1994 visit, inspired CM devotees requested Pujya Guruji to bless Georgia with a CM center, and thus, CM Atlanta was formed as an unincorporated center of Central Mission® West. The center began with 25 families.

CM activities had commenced in 1992 with Chinmaya Bala Vihar classes at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta. Acharya Darshana Nanavaty (CM Houston) conducted a weekend training workshop for Bala Vihar teachers. Under the banner of CM Atlanta, Bala Vihar classes continue at the temple to date, benefiting over 200 families.

After attending Pujya Guruji’s Dharma Sevak Course at Piercy, CA in July 1998, Dr. G. V. and Geetha Raghu started a CM Devi Group and Adult Study Group in August 1998. Groups continue to meet regularly throughout the year.

In 1998, Acharya Darshana Nanavaty returned to conduct a refresher course for Bala Vihar teachers and helped them gain more knowledge and confidence. Brahmacharini Aparna Chaitanya (CM Miami) was invited in January 2000 to conduct a weekend children’s program and talks for adults on meditation and Shrimad Bhagavatam.

	Pujya Guruji visited and blessed CM Atlanta over the years with a six-day family camp and 2 six-day jnana yajnas.  In 2005, Guruji personally conducted the two year Vedanta course in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai and permitted Geetha and Raghu to attend the course. After the course in 2008, the couple returned to the area and moved to Atlanta from Warner Robins to continue their spiritual sadhana full time.
	In 2008, an additional Bala Vihar opened in Gwinnett County at Berkmar High School to reach and serve a wider area in metro Atlanta.
	In 2012, Chinmaya Mission Atlanta incorporated into an independent Chinmaya Mission Center and the Board started looking for a property. After looking extensively, an existing church was located in Norcross which was perfect for Chinmaya Mission Atlanta’s needs.
	On July 7, 2014, with Pujya Guruji’s blessings Chinmaya Mission Atlanta acquired the property. Guruji gave the Ashram the name of Chinmaya Niketan and designated Lord Rama as its presiding deity.
	Swami Shanatanandaji inaugurated Chinmaya Niketan on Saturday October 25, 2014 with a Gruhapravesham and the next day on October 26th Gwinnett Bala Vihar classes were moved to Chinmaya Niketan and took on the name Chinmaya Niketan Bala Vihar.
	On July 25th-27th 2015, Pujya Guruji blessed Chinmaya Niketan by performing the Sri Ram Parivaar Pratishthapana in the midst of a grand celebration of the Sri Sita Rama Kalyana (wedding of Sri Sita and Sri Rama). An annual anniversary, Chinmaya Niketan Varshikotsavam, is held every year with the Sri Sita Rama Kalyana to celebrate this auspicious event.

Chinmaya Mission Atlanta continues to serve the metro Atlanta area with 2-3 yagnas per year along with the annual Labor Day Weekend Family Camp.  CM Acharyas are being continuously invited to visit, inspire, and teach spiritual texts through jnana yajnas.

Hari Om.