Eminent community leaders and a few political figures will open a brand-new Wellbeing & Event Centre at 63 McKenzie Road, Māngere on Saturday 31 July. Situated in the heart of Māngere Bridge, near the famous Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru or Māngere Mountain is this new wellbeing centre, which is poised as a centre to experience a serene, friendly, and culturally vibrant facility to enhance everyone’s Wellbeing.

The centre has been named ‘Chinmaya Nikunj’ as it is designed as a spiritual garden (Nikunj) for experiencing wellbeing at all levels – mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual. The new Wellbeing & Event Centre has a community hall of up to 240 people and has ample car park and other facilities on site.

The facilities will be a first of its kind as it caters to the lifestyle and convenience of the communities.

There is a strong emphasis on programs involving children and youth with the aim of giving them the right values of life and making them positive contributors to the community. People hiring the place will find it uniquely spiritual and appealing to their aesthetic sensibilities. The centre is easily accessible as it is near the motorway and a bus route in Māngere and will cater to the community right across Auckland.

The facility has been fully funded by members and well-wishers of Chinmaya Mission in New Zealand Overseas, charitable foundation & trusts and a bank loan. The centre is run by Swamini Amritananda and ably supported by the Board of Trustee, Executive Committee and a team of dedicated volunteers.

Kishan Raj, President of Chinmaya Mission NZ, said: “We are very excited about the new wellbeing centre and welcome all for truly experiencing happiness in a serene and calm environment. It is a great venue for use by the community. We have listened to and involved all stakeholders throughout the process of development and construction. The Wellbeing Centre provides facilities for meditation, yoga, social & community events, quiet reflection, study and more”.

Chinmaya Mission was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda. Guided by his vision, devotees all around the world formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational and charitable activities. His Holiness Swami Swaroopananda is the current Global Head of the worldwide Mission. Under his guidance and inspiration, the Mission has continued to grow across the globe and today it stands at over 300 centres in 45 countries.

Chinmaya Mission New Zealand has been serving our communities for over 2 decades in various parts of New Zealand – in Nelson, Auckland, Wellington and Wanganui. The service offerings are rooted in an inclusive philosophy which offers a vision of One-ness for the wellbeing of everyone. Swamini Amritananda is the Spiritual Teacher of Chinmaya Mission NZ and has been with the Mission for nearly 40 years. Swamini Ji conducts regular yoga classes, meditation sessions & study groups for adults & children. She is also a qualified YOGA teacher trained at Sivananda Yoga Centre, India.

For more information visit www.chinmayacentre.org.nz -TIN Bureau