Grand Prana Pratishtha of Shri Chinmaya Annapoorna Devi Temple in South Africa

World’s First Dedicated Annapoorna Devi Temple Outside Bharat By Chinmaya Mission South Africa, 1st December 2025

Divine History Created: Temple Inauguration in Durban

Durban, South Africa. On 1st December 2025, a divine moment was etched in the history of South Africa when the Chinmaya Mission consecrated and inaugurated the world's first dedicated Annapoorna Devi Temple outside the Indian subcontinent. This sacred event was accomplished under the visionary leadership of Swami Abhedananda Saraswati, the Spiritual Head of Chinmaya Mission South Africa. Located in the city of Durban, the Shri Chinmaya Annapoorna Devi Temple is a sacred space of grace aimed at invoking the cosmic power of nourishment embodied by Devi Annapoorna, to eradicate hunger and uplift the local communities of South Africa.

'Nourish to Flourish' Project: The Foundation of Nourishment

The background of this temple is linked to one of Chinmaya Mission South Africa's leading social initiatives, 'Nourish to Flourish'. Launched in October 2024, the project has provided over 250,000 meals to underprivileged families and schoolchildren across Durban city. It continues to distribute more than 2,000 nutritious meals free of charge every single day of the year, operating from a state-of-the-art mega-industrial kitchen at the Chinmaya Annapoorna ashram in Durban. It was to sustain and expand the benefits of this project that Swami Abhedananda envisioned the arrival of Devi Annapoorna in South Africa.

Global Attention: Prime Minister Modi's Blessings

In November, news of this temple spread globally. On 21st November, during the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, India's Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met and interacted with Swami Abhedananda in an exclusive meeting with community leaders. On this occasion, the Prime Minister blessed and gifted a sacred Ashtalakshmi Kalasha containing Shree Anna (millets) from India and South Africa, to be placed at the Devi Temple, as a mark of the PM's goodwill and support. He also shared this on his X account.

Sacred Prana Pratishtha Ritual

Finally, on the morning of 1st December, the auspicious Mokshada Ekadashi day, in the presence of nearly 4,000 devotees, Swami Abhedananda led the Prana Pratishtha rituals of the temple, accompanied by Vedic priests invited from southern India to conduct the prayers. Abhishekam of the temple's shikhara and of Devi Annapoorna's endearing vigraha was performed. Thereafter, in the blessed presence of sannyasins from various Hindu organisations across South Africa, Swami Abhedananda unveiled the inaugural plaque of the temple, which recorded the temple as a tribute to H.H. Swami Chinmayananda as part of the 75th year celebrations of the global Chinmaya Mission. Devotees were blessed with divine darshans of Devi Annapoorna amidst soulful bhajans by celebrated Indian playback singer Anuja Sahai.

Thousands of devotees gathered to offer bowls of rice to Devi Annapoorna and seek Her grace, reminiscent of Swami Abhedananda's words from the bhoomi puja (groundbreaking ceremony) of the 'Nourish to Flourish' kitchen facility in August 2023: "Devi ji will sit here with a ladle in Her hand and feed millions! You just see Her magic in two-three years!" A little over two years later, with the project already feeding thousands, Devi Annapoorna arrived from the banks of the Ganga in Kashi to the shores of Durban in South Africa, as if to fulfill Swamiji's pious prophecy.

Evening Celebrations: Presence of Esteemed Guests

The evening celebrations on 1st December were graced by esteemed dignitaries from government, media, and corporate backgrounds. Most notably, the Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Mr. Thami Ntuli, officiated the temple's opening. It was heartening to see him offer his open support to the Dharmic cause as he said, "The opening of this temple is an invitation to spread the message of Devi Ma's grace far and wide. Through the teachings of the Chinmaya Mission, we are called to be instruments of that grace." Festivities concluded with divine darshan for guests and devotees, and a sumptuous dinner Mahaprasadam.

Swami Abhedananda's Message: Pledge for a Hunger-Free South Africa

In his morning and evening talks, Swami Abhedananda strongly encouraged the masses to live their learnings of Hinduism and Vedanta by loving and serving all, and seeing the poorest as their own. Significantly, he declared, "Let us take up the goal of making Durban and South Africa hunger-free by 2030!", referring to the UN's SDGs for 2030.

The temple is now poised to become a symbol of Sanatana Dharma's indelible international contributions to the upliftment of all sections of society, through both physical and spiritual nourishment alike. The Chinmaya Mission's initiative is not only a war against hunger but also a living example of the Vedantic approach to humanity.