Frequently Asked Questions

Chinmaya Archana, 2291 Clark Shaw Road, Powell, OH 43065.

Park at Liberty Tree Elementary School (LTES) Front Lot, 6877 Sawmill Parkway, Powell, Ohio, then take the shuttle to Chinmaya Archana.

Special Parking: Senior citizens and people with disabilities may park at the Ashram, 2291 Clark Shaw Road, Powell, Ohio. (Please reserve ashram parking for those with need.)

Shuttle Services: Our volunteers will provide free shuttle services every 15 minutes. Please plan to be at the parking lot no later than 7:30 AM. We recommend carpooling where possible.

• On grass or unpaved surfaces
• Reserved spots, or in front of any gate
• Handicapped spots without a valid permit
• Ingress/egress paths, fire hydrants, or fire lanes
• Along Clark-Shaw or Liberty Road

Note: Vehicles parked in no-parking zones will be towed.

Drop-off at the ashram is reserved for people with special needs and senior citizens.

Yes, registration is required. Click here to register.

Look for the Registration Check-In Tables inside the Ashram on July 25, 2026. Havan registrants, scan your QR code to get your assigned Havan Kund spot.

Check your email for the confirmation from Chinmaya Mission of Columbus through GiveButter (your QR code pass is attached). If you still can't find it, email raman.renuka@gmail.com by July 22, 2026 for a resend.

One event-customized puja bag per Havan Sponsor.

An asana or mat to sit on (examples below). If you need a chair, please email raman.renuka@gmail.com by July 22, 2026.

Please be seated in your assigned Havan Kund by 7:45 AM.

• 8:00 – 9:00 AM — Welcome Swami Swaroopanandaji, lamp lighting, welcome remarks
• 9:00 – 11:00 AM — Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja, Samashti Sri Hanuman Chalisa Havan
• 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Vote of thanks, Aarti & closing
• 12:30 PM onwards — Mahaprasad

A collective chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa, 7 times, for strength, courage, spiritual power, abundance, knowledge, a harmonious family life, protection from adversity, removal of obstacles, and success.

Your puja bag includes a Hanuman Chalisa booklet, and the chaupais / verses will also be displayed on the projector for your reference. Our resident Brahmacharin, Stuti Caitanyaji, along with a few devotees, will lead the chanting to a set tune — please follow along and chant loudly and wholeheartedly.

Yes — pre-registration is required to reserve a Havan Kund. Onsite registration is subject to availability. Participation is limited to 108 families, so early registration is encouraged.

Yes. Children must be monitored by adults at all times, especially near the Havan Kund.

Your Havan Kund and seat number are provided at check-in and displayed onsite. Attendees sit in the general seating area.

• Sit only in your assigned spot — do not move seats.
• Do not touch the Havan Kund or firewood.
• During the Havan, we will chant the Hanuman Chalisa 7 times. There are 7 ahutis (offerings) per Chalisa in this pattern: 1 offering after the first 2 dohas (4 lines); 1 offering after every 8 chaupais (5 times — at 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 verses); and 1 offering at the end of the last doha (2 lines). At every chant of "Svaha," alternate offering a drop of ghee and a small portion of samagri into the Kund.
• Raise your hand if your Havan Kund needs attention — a sevak will assist.
• Purna Ahuti is offered only at the one main Havan Kund; all other devotees remain seated.

• Three days of Brahmacharya before the Havan is advisable.
• No alcohol or non-vegetarian food during these 3 days.
• Know your Gotra, Rasi/Nakshatra, and full name, to be chanted while taking the Sankalpa.

• Turn off phones — please don't take calls during the Havan.
• Do not touch the fire or the Havan Kund.
• Once seated, remain seated until the end of the program or as otherwise instructed.
• Missed Havan slots cannot be rescheduled due to the pace of the event.

Ethnic Indian attire is suggested. Shoes must be removed upon entering the ashram.

• Breakfast served 7:00 – 7:45 AM.
• Water, drinks, and light snacks available throughout.
• Mahaprasad served to everyone at the conclusion of the event.
• Please bring a refillable water bottle to help reduce waste.
• Please reuse your plate for seconds — to-go boxes and extra plates are not available, so every devotee can be served smoothly.

Yes — devotees are warmly welcome to observe, join the collective chanting, and take part in the final Purnahuti.

Yes, registration is required for all attendees — but it's free for those who only want to observe and join the chanting. (The 108-family cap applies only to Havan Kund participation.)

No — priests and volunteers will guide participants through the entire process.

All Havan Samagri will be provided and ready for your use.

Yes — volunteers will be present throughout the event to help with seating, materials, and guidance.