Paramahansa Yogananda established the international headquarters, the Mother Center, of Self-Realization Fellowship in 1925. It is located on the crest of Mt. Washington, five miles from downtown Los Angeles. Here he lived and worked for more than twenty years, and from this center his lectures, writings, and recorded talks are published and made available worldwide.
Also situated here are ashrams (monastic communities) for Self-Realization Fellowship monastics.
Paramahansa Yogananda’s living quarters at the Mother Center have been preserved as a
shrine, and there are exhibits of some of his personal effects in the library and reception hall. The chapel where he conducted services throughout the years is open daily for prayer and meditation. A lovely outdoor “temple of leaves,” where he often gave classes, also invites quiet reflection and meditation, and visitors are welcome to enjoy the Mother Center gardens.
General Opening Hours
Meditation
Grounds
- Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Closed on Mondays and holidays
Visitors’
Center & Main Building
- Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Closed on Mondays and holidays
Note:
Visiting hours can change on short notice. Changes will be
indicated in the section below:
Special Events and Holidays
March
Tuesday, March 21
Main Building open 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 22
Main Building closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 23
Main Building closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
April
Friday, April 7
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 8
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 9
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18
Main Building Closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 19
Main Building Closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 20
Main Building Closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, April 21
Main Building Closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
May
Saturday, May 20
Main Building closed for Kriya Yoga Initiation
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July
Tuesday, July 4
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
CONVOCATION:
Sunday, July 30
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, July 31
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
August
CONVOCATION:
Tuesday, August 1
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 2
Main Building open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 3
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, August 4
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 5
Main Building closed
Meditation Grounds TBD
Sunday, August 6
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, August 7
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October
Tuesday, October 31
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
November
Saturday, November 18
Main Building closed for Kriya Yoga Initiation
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 23 — U.S. Thanksgiving Day
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
Friday, November 24
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 25
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
December
TBD
Christmas All-Day Meditation
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
Friday, December 22
Main Building closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 23
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
Sunday, December 24
Main Building closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, December 25
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
Tuesday, December 26
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 31
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 4:45 p.m.
January 2024
Monday, January 1
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
Friday, January 5
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 13
Meditation in honor of Paramahansa Yogananda
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
3880 San Rafael Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 225-2471