Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
Shrine · Pacific Palisades, California
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is a quiet garden retreat of about ten acres in Pacific Palisades, in Los Angeles, set around a spring-fed lake a few minutes from Sunset Boulevard. It was opened in 1950 by Paramahansa Yogananda, the Indian yogi who wrote Autobiography of a Yogi. The grounds hold a windmill chapel, a Dutch houseboat, a golden lotus archway, swans and koi, and the Gandhi World Peace Memorial, a stone sarcophagus holding a portion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes - often described as unique outside India, though visitors should confirm the details. It is open to people of every faith and none, and admission is free - confirm hours. The mood is meditative, not touristic: people walk slowly, sit on benches and keep silent. It is a small place, an hour's visit at most, and it is closed on some days, usually Mondays, so confirm before you drive out. Dress and behave as you would in a place of worship.
17190 Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Palisades, California, 90272, United States
The gardens are normally open to visitors on most days of the week, with set opening and closing times in the day - roughly mid-morning to mid-afternoon on most days, with shorter hours on Sundays - and the site is closed on some days, commonly Mondays and certain holidays. Hours change with the season and with events held by the Fellowship, so confirm the current schedule with the Self-Realization Fellowship before you make the trip. Admission is free. The temple above the gardens holds services on its own schedule and may be closed to sightseers at those times. The gift shop and bookstore keep separate, shorter hours - confirm.
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