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Hanuman festival unites Chicagoland Indian Americans
The lively event, attended by people of all ages, merged ancient Vedic traditions with a family fair, drawing attendees from across the Midwest.
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Chicago Bureau - Sun, 12, Jul 2026
- 05:15 EDT
- 22
Thousands of devotees participated in a community singing of the Hanuman Chalisa and performed Homam Yagna / Chicago Bureau
On a sun-kissed Midwestern Saturday, thousands of people from the greater Chicagoland Indian American community came together at the DuPage County Fairgrounds for “Vayuputra in the Windy City.” This lively cultural and spiritual festival, organized by Chinmaya Mission Chicago, marked the Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years since the mission's founding.
It marked a major regional celebration of the 75th anniversary of the global Chinmaya Mission and invoked Bhagwan Hanuman’s blessings upon the communities of the Windy City region.
The lively event, attended by people of all ages, merged ancient Vedic traditions with a family fair, drawing attendees from across the Midwest. The day began at 8 a.m. with community wellness sessions, including group yoga practices. The spiritual events centered on Bhagwan Hanuman, the Vayuputra, a popular Hindu deity known for his valor and his devotion to Bhagwan Ram.
Bhagwan Hanuman is called Vayuputra because he is considered the son of Vayu, the Wind God, who played a crucial role in his birth by carrying divine energy to his mother, Anjana. This connection grants Bhagwan Hanuman extraordinary powers associated with wind and movement.
Thousands of devotees participated in a community singing of the Hanuman Chalisa and performed Homam Yagna. The Chalisa is a devotional hymn composed by Tulsidas, a 16th-century Bhakti poet. Homam Yagna is a fire ritual in Hindu tradition in which offerings are made into a consecrated fire while chanting Sanskrit mantras, aimed at invoking divine blessings for health, prosperity or protection.
Local youth and artists presented traditional Indian dances and devotional bhajans, filling the venue with energy and color. Authentic Indian food stalls and trucks from local eateries, artisanal vendor booths and educational displays highlighted community service initiatives.
Children took part in games and interactive activities designed to make ancient traditions fun and easy for the next generation to understand.
Spiritual discourses by the swamijis and teachers of Chinmaya Mission centered on Bhagwan Hanuman’s timeless virtues — selfless service (seva), humility and inner strength. The teachings reflected Swami Chinmayananda’s vision to make the profound wisdom of Advaita Vedanta practical for modern life, 75 years after he founded the mission.
As the event concluded at 4 p.m., organizers extended heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of dedicated volunteers (sevaks) whose efforts ensured the smooth execution of this large-scale gathering. “Vayuputra in the Windy City” stands as a powerful testament to the vitality and organizational strength of the Chicagoland Indian diaspora, preserving and passing on rich cultural and spiritual traditions in the modern world. Many participants wished that the mission would make “Vayuputra in the Windy City” an annual fixture.
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