In one of the largest public celebrations of Sanatana Dharma ever witnessed outside India, more than 17,000 devotees gathered at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban for the historic “Man to Hanuman” programme organised by Chinmaya Mission South Africa as part of the global Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav marking 75 years of the Chinmaya Movement. Far exceeding the original expectation of 10,000 participants, the event transformed the stadium into a sea of saffron, devotion and unity as thousands chanted the Hanuman Chalisa together in an atmosphere charged with faith, emotion and cultural pride.
The celebrations received an extraordinary boost when Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi sent a special message of goodwill a day before the event, congratulating Chinmaya Mission South Africa on its Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and acknowledging its remarkable contribution towards preserving India’s timeless spiritual heritage. The Prime Minister praised the collective chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa as a powerful expression of harmony, devotion and compassion while recognising the invaluable role played by the Indian diaspora in strengthening South Africa’s social and cultural fabric.
Thousands of devotees travelled to the venue in over 80 buses from different parts of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring provinces, joining thousands of others who arrived independently to become part of what many described as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.
The collective chanting, led by Padma Shri Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota and renowned singer-actor Anuja Sahai, created an atmosphere of extraordinary devotion. As thousands of voices merged into one, devotees sang every verse with remarkable energy and emotion, transforming the entire stadium into a living temple of faith.
Adding to the emotional intensity were the stirring addresses delivered by Swami Abhedananda Sarasvati, who has completed two decades of spiritual service in South Africa. Though brief, his speeches electrified the gathering. Calling upon devotees to remain deeply rooted in their spiritual identity while embracing harmony and service, Swamiji inspired the audience to proudly affirm their faith. At his call, the entire stadium echoed three times with the resounding declaration, “I Am A Proud Hindu.”
His message emphasised that this pride was never about division but about embracing one’s spiritual heritage with confidence while working together for the welfare of South Africa, India and humanity.
Perhaps the most unforgettable visual of the day came during the final rounds of the Hanuman Chalisa. Every devotee stood waving saffron flags bearing the image of Lord Hanuman and the words “I Am A Proud Hindu.” As Swami Abhedananda himself stood before the gathering waving the flag, thousands followed in unison. Many were moved to tears as devotion, gratitude, pride and unity reached an emotional crescendo unlike anything previously witnessed by the Mission.
The event reflected Swami Abhedananda’s long-held vision of bringing Hindus together beyond every divide. People from different linguistic backgrounds, regions, castes and traditions stood shoulder to shoulder, setting aside differences to celebrate a shared spiritual identity with confidence and joy.
Padma Shri Anup Jalota’s soulful rendering of the Hanuman Chalisa received repeated applause, while renowned singer-actor Anuja Sahai’s melodious support elevated the devotional experience further. Devotees also witnessed the immense reverence that Anup Jalota holds for Swami Abhedananda, reflecting the close spiritual bond the two share.
Addressing the gathering, Anup Jalota paid glowing tribute to Chinmaya Mission’s 75-year global legacy of spiritual service and education. He also highlighted that 2026 marks 20 years of Swami Abhedananda’s spiritual service in South Africa, making him the longest-serving Hindu monk from India in Africa. He praised Swamiji’s extraordinary contribution in reconnecting generations of people with their Indian roots and leading a remarkable spiritual and cultural renaissance across South Africa. The audience responded with heartfelt emotion and thunderous applause.
The programme was attended by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Mr. Thami Ntuli, who wholeheartedly participated in the celebrations by waving the saffron flag alongside devotees and graciously attempting to read and sing from the Hanuman Chalisa booklet. He congratulated Chinmaya Mission Worldwide on completing 75 years of dedicated service and appreciated the invaluable contribution made by Chinmaya Mission South Africa under the guidance of Swami Abhedananda.
Behind the scenes, the event represented one of the largest volunteer-driven spiritual gatherings organised in South Africa. Nearly 200 volunteers ensured the smooth and safe movement of the more than 17,000 devotees throughout the venue.
Every attendee was welcomed with a thoughtfully prepared gift bag containing inspirational books by the saints of Chinmaya Mission, photographs of Lord Hanuman and Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, energised Sindoor Prasad, bottled water and fruits.
Determined that no devotee should leave hungry, nearly 100 volunteers worked continuously from midnight until the morning of the event preparing biryani, curry and sooji halwa, packing more than 20,000 meal boxes that were distributed as Mahaprasad to every attendee.
For nearly two weeks, volunteers from Chinmaya Mission South Africa, together with members of several temples and community organisations, gathered daily at the industrial kitchen of Chinmaya Annapoorna Ashram to prepare 27,000 traditional Rhots, a sacred sweet offering made from flour, ghee and sugar for Lord Hanuman. The monumental offering was made during the programme before the Rhots were distributed as blessed prasad to every devotee.
More than a religious gathering, the historic event became a powerful celebration of devotion, unity, service and cultural pride. As over 17,000 devotees stood together beneath a sea of saffron flags chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, Chinmaya Mission South Africa created a defining moment in the history of Africa and in the global discourse on Sanatana Dharma, leaving behind a timeless message that faith has the power to unite hearts, transcend every barrier and inspire humanity towards peace, harmony and selfless service.
