Yogananda's City of Angels Pilgrimage
Visiting the holy shrines of Sri Yogananda in Los Angeles + Encinitas

Day 4, Wednesday, July 6: Visits to Lake Shrine, Hollywood Temple, with optional evening visit to the Biltmore Hotel

Our first pilgrimage spot will be Lake Shrine. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, a natural spring-fed lake is home to a variety of swans, ducks, koi, trees, and flowers from around the world. Paramhansa Yogananda dedicated this 10-acre spiritual sanctuary in 1950. His spirit powerfully permeates these magnificent grounds.

Lake Shrine: also includes a Court of Religions honoring the five principal religions of the world; the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial where a portion of Gandhi's ashes is enshrined; a museum with exhibits on Paramhansa Yogananda's work; a temple on a hilltop overlooking the lake; and a gift shop with arts and crafts from India. We’ll have time to walk around, meditate and enjoy the scenic, serene beauty.

Biltmore Hotel: In 1969 the hotel was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 60. Stately and beautiful to this day, it is where Yoganandaji left his body. The present day lobby was the banquet hall where the ‘Avatar of the Age’, Paramhansa Yogananda, left his body.

‘I have a big day tomorrow,’ he said. Walking toward the elevator, he paused at the door, then repeated, ‘I have a big day tomorrow. Wish me luck.’ On March 7, 1952 at the close of his speech, he recited his poem My India. After the last two lines, he collapsed to the floor and left this world. The table in which Yogananda sat was in front of a beautiful fountain ornamented with mythical fish that can be seen in the much-loved photo “The Last Smile.”

Hollywood Church: We will visit the famed Hollywood Church on Sunset Blvd. This was the first church opened by Yoganandaji. This is the site where he gave regular Sunday Services and Kriya Initiations. It is here where Yogananda blessed Swami Kriyananda and received him into the Order.

Excerpted from The New Path, “the Master and I were alone. What large, lustrous eyes now greeted me!... ‘What may I do for you?’ ...‘I want to be your disciple!’ The reply welled up from my heart irresistibly. Never had I expected to utter such words to another human being. Afterwards “... he came out onto the stage after my acceptance, and announced with obvious satisfaction, ‘We have a new brother.”

We will enjoy the lovely grounds, another oasis in the midst of this busy city.

Day 5, Thursday, July 7: Paramhansa Yogananda's Crypt at Forest Lawn and visit to Mt. Washington

Yogananda’s Crypt: This morning we will spend time at Forest Lawn Mortuary in Glendale where Paramhansa Yogananda's body resides in the aptly named “Sanctuary of Golden Slumber”. We will chant and meditate in this sacred crypt. The Master’s presence and energy makes this a powerful place to feel His vibration.

About magnificent Mt. Washington: We will visit the worldwide headquarters of Self Realization Fellowship. Receive darshan in the Master's bedroom, one of the essential pilgrimage spots of this trip. Meditate in the “Temple of Leaves” where Yogananda would often sit in Samadhi and Sister Gyanamata's “Wishing Well”. Tour the beautiful grounds and exquisite gardens that include the spineless cactus, gifted to Master by Luther Burbank, who He referred to as an “American saint.”

In early evening, we'll gather at the Ananda Los Angeles Center for an informal and fun Satsang with Center leaders Nayaswami Narayan and Nayaswami Dharmadevi. We’ll enjoy a Kirtan with members of Ananda L.A. followed by a delicious Thai dinner.

Day 6, Friday, July 8: Encinitas, CA.

Our time in Encinitas will be at a more relaxed pace, with more time to meditate, enjoy Kirtan and chanting. Walks on the beach will allow us to absorb and assimilate all that has gone before on this pilgrimage, perhaps in our lives. This morning we will depart for the beautiful seaside town of Encinitas, CA. it is about a 3-hour drive. Check into our hotel, and then visit with Casey Hughes at Ananda Encinitas Temple of Joy. Time to walk on the beach. Dinner out. The Temple of Joy, home and grounds are filled with exquisite architecture, statuary and is a veritable spiritual oasis. A great blessing to be our base while in Encinitas.

Day 7, Saturday, July 9: Encinitas Hermitage [SRF Meditation Gardens], and Swami's Beach

You are in for a rare and wonderful treat this morning. Encinitas Hermitage, where Paramhansa Yogananda wrote his Autobiography of a Yogi, has beautifully landscaped gardens, rich in history and is deeply permeated with Paramhansa Yogananda's vibration. We will meditate on the lovely grounds and if open, will visit the Master's hallowed rooms.

Lunch will be at the local and very popular Swami's Café. Afternoon activities will include optional revisiting the Meditation gardens or “Moonlight Beach walk”, exploring the charming town of Encinitas, and browsing the Encinitas Books & Gifts Shop. In the evening, we will convene at the Ananda Encinitas Temple of Joy for evening meditation. Dinner out.

Day 8, Sunday, July 10: SRF Meditation Gardens and more time at Ananda Encinitas

Morning Energization Exercises and meditation. Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the lovely SRF (Self Realization Fellowship) Meditation Gardens in Encinitas, have lunch out, and return to the gardens for more time to meditate or stroll on the iconic Swami's Beach, where Yogananda and His most advanced disciple Rajarsi Janakananda would often walk hand-in-hand together in Samadhi. An evening sadhana at the Ananda Encinitas Temple of Joy then dinner out.

Day 9, Monday, July 11:

Today we start to relax our energies and rest in the joys of our pilgrimage with time at the ocean, lunch at Lotus Café, some shopping, and evening Sadhana at Ananda Encinitas.

We will close the day with a special Satsang to share and bless one another.

Day 10, Tuesday, July 12: Go With Love

Meditate on your own at the time needed. Take breakfast at the hotel, and checkout. Some transportation will be provided to the SAN DIEGO AIRPORT. Those taking very early, or late flights, may need to take a taxi on their own or carpool with others.