This blog is about uncovering real gems in Los Angeles, whether you are a resident, a commuter, or a visitor. I bring one question to each experience, namely, Does this venue exhibit enough surprise and safety to make it one of spots I could recommend? Not every attractive establishment made the cut. Here's one that did.
Lake Shrine
Lake Shrine
The atmosphere here is so peaceful that I can’t help but
feel like a different person when I leave. I am quieter, more peaceful than
when I arrive. There is no explaining it. This is the perfect place to go to If
you are feeling stressed, need some alone time or just a peaceful moment. It’s
a great place to get away from it all. You will leave this spiritual sanctuary feeling
both reenergized and tranquil. If you are in need of a spiritual rejuvenation,
I highly recommend the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Pacific
Palisades.
Founded in 1950 by Paramahansa Yogananda, the SRF Lake Shrine is a hidden paradise available and free to the public. The Lake Shrine honors all the religions of the world, but you don’t need to be religious to enjoy the Lake Shrine. Park your car in the very accessible parking lot and begin your visit by walking to the left as you enter the Lake Shrine grounds, where the first thing you will encounter is the Court of Religions. Each of the five principal religions of the world are honored, with plaques representing Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. From here you can continue walking to the left onto the path that encircles the lake. You will find yourself surrounded by the lush greenery of the Lake.
There are a variety of beautiful flowers to look at and various tall trees to shade you as you walk. From here, your walk around the lake should take you no more than fifteen or twenty minutes, but I recommend you take your time and discover all the benches shaded by trees and all the alcoves hidden at various intervals as you walk around the garden. As you walk around the garden you will find other people utilizing the benches reading quietly, meditating, or just sitting enjoying the beauty and quiet of Lake Shrine. The lake itself is filled with several swans and koi fish.
One of the historic sites you’ll first encounter is an authentic reproduction of a 16th century Dutch windmill, which houses a small chapel and is open to the public every afternoon Tuesday-Sunday, for meditation and prayer. At the front of the chapel at the altar are pictures of the gurus of Self Realization Fellowship. They are (in order of their appearance on the altar) Lahiri Mahasaya, Mahavatar Babaji, Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna, Paramahansa Yogananda, and Swami Sri Yukteswar.
Anyone can sit and pray in the chapel. Further along the path is a double-decker houseboat which was transported from Lake Mead to the Lake Shrine in the 1940s, before Sri Yogananda acquired the property. He occasionally used the houseboat during the Lake Shrine’s development. Right next to the houseboat there is a wooden landing with a sitting area to enjoy the beauty of nature here. Most amazing to me and located near the entrance of the Lake Shrine garden is the an ancient sarcophagus where a portion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes are enshrined.
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 9:00-4:30 pm. Sunday: 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm.
Founded in 1950 by Paramahansa Yogananda, the SRF Lake Shrine is a hidden paradise available and free to the public. The Lake Shrine honors all the religions of the world, but you don’t need to be religious to enjoy the Lake Shrine. Park your car in the very accessible parking lot and begin your visit by walking to the left as you enter the Lake Shrine grounds, where the first thing you will encounter is the Court of Religions. Each of the five principal religions of the world are honored, with plaques representing Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. From here you can continue walking to the left onto the path that encircles the lake. You will find yourself surrounded by the lush greenery of the Lake.
There are a variety of beautiful flowers to look at and various tall trees to shade you as you walk. From here, your walk around the lake should take you no more than fifteen or twenty minutes, but I recommend you take your time and discover all the benches shaded by trees and all the alcoves hidden at various intervals as you walk around the garden. As you walk around the garden you will find other people utilizing the benches reading quietly, meditating, or just sitting enjoying the beauty and quiet of Lake Shrine. The lake itself is filled with several swans and koi fish.
One of the historic sites you’ll first encounter is an authentic reproduction of a 16th century Dutch windmill, which houses a small chapel and is open to the public every afternoon Tuesday-Sunday, for meditation and prayer. At the front of the chapel at the altar are pictures of the gurus of Self Realization Fellowship. They are (in order of their appearance on the altar) Lahiri Mahasaya, Mahavatar Babaji, Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna, Paramahansa Yogananda, and Swami Sri Yukteswar.
Anyone can sit and pray in the chapel. Further along the path is a double-decker houseboat which was transported from Lake Mead to the Lake Shrine in the 1940s, before Sri Yogananda acquired the property. He occasionally used the houseboat during the Lake Shrine’s development. Right next to the houseboat there is a wooden landing with a sitting area to enjoy the beauty of nature here. Most amazing to me and located near the entrance of the Lake Shrine garden is the an ancient sarcophagus where a portion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes are enshrined.
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 9:00-4:30 pm. Sunday: 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm.
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
17190 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Great detail! Very useful. You can get to know a lot about the place before gong there, thus saving time
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