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. – 5:00 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. – 5:00 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
November
Friday, November 17
Main Building open 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 18
Main Building closed for Kriya Yoga Initiation
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 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.
Wednesday, November 2o
Main Building closed
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
December
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 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, December 25
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
January 2024
Monday, January 1
New Year’s Day
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
February
Saturday, February 24
Main Building closed for Kriya Yoga Initiation
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
March
Friday, March 29
Good Friday
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
Saturday, March 30
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 31
Easter
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
May
Saturday, May 18
Main Building closed for Kriya Yoga Initiation
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Monday, May 27
Memorial Day
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
July
Thursday, July 4
Independence Day
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
CONVOCATION WEEK
Sunday, July 14
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, July 15
TBD
Tuesday, July 16
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17
TBD
Thursday, July 18
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, July 19
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 20
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 21
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, July 22
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
September
Monday, September 2
Labor Day
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
October
Thursday, October 31
Halloween
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
November
Saturday, November 9
Main Building closed for Kriya Yoga Initiation
Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 28
Thanksgiving Day
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
Friday, November 29
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 30
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
December
Sunday, December 22
Main Building closed
Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, December 23
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Eve
Main Building closed — Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 25
Christmas Day
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
Thursday, December 26
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
January 2025
Wednesday, January 1
New Year’s Day
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 5
Main Building and Meditation Grounds open 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 11
Meditation in honor of Paramahansa Yogananda
Main Building and Meditation Grounds closed
3880 San Rafael Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 225-2471