PM Modi Inaugurates Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav, Interacts with Holographic Avatar of Swami Chinmayananda

During the interaction, Modi sought the spiritual leader's blessings for his future endeavours. The holographic avatar responded by expressing happiness over Modi becoming Prime Minister and conveying its support with the words, “India is with you, Narendra.”

Addressing the gathering, Modi described the experience as a deeply moving spiritual moment and thanked the saints for their blessings. He said the Chinmaya Mission represented more than an institution, describing it as an embodiment of “Chinmaya Vichar”.

The Prime Minister said the use of holographic technology had made the experience particularly vivid, bringing back memories of his meeting with Swami Chinmayananda more than three decades ago.

Recalling that meeting, Modi said he had met the spiritual leader around February or March 1993 to invite him to participate in the centenary celebrations of the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Swami Chinmayananda accepted the invitation, but passed away on August 3, 1993, a few weeks before the event.

Modi said he attended the Chicago gathering on September 11 that year and remembered feeling the spiritual leader's absence. He added that the holographic interaction had brought back the emotions associated with their meeting.

The Prime Minister also recalled a serious discussion with Swami Chinmayananda about strengthening India's youth and building a capable nation. Modi said that, after becoming Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had continued serving in leadership roles for around 25 years and felt that the spiritual leader's blessings had accompanied him throughout the journey.

The three-day Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan is being held at Bharat Mandapam from October 23 to 25, 2026. The event is expected to bring together more than 9,000 participants from India and abroad, marking the culmination of year-long celebrations commemorating 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission.

Founded by Swami Chinmayananda in 1951, the Chinmaya Mission works to make the teachings of Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita accessible to a wider audience. Its activities span spiritual education, cultural preservation, youth development and community service.

The anniversary celebrations began last year with the release of a Tamil versification of the Bhagavad Gita, produced by the Chinmaya Mission with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The release took place at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu.

Other initiatives during the year included mass havans at multiple locations, the consecration of the Maa Soundarya Chinmayi Temple in Tripura, and the Chinmaya Gita Samarpanam, which brought together more than one lakh participants worldwide for an online recitation of the Bhagavad Gita's 15th chapter.

The Mission also organised Gita Panchamrit, focusing on five selected verses from the Bhagavad Gita. As part of the Chinmaya Amrit Yatra, 15 young members of the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra travelled more than 40,000 kilometres across India to spread awareness of the scripture's teachings.