A Sanctuary on Sunset Boulevard Since 1942
On a leafy stretch of Sunset Boulevard in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, a small blue and gold temple has been drawing people into silence since 1942. The Self-Realization Fellowship Hollywood Temple was opened and dedicated by the Indian yoga teacher Paramahansa Yogananda on August 30, 1942, and today it is the oldest existing SRF temple in America. Set back from the boulevard behind a parking lot on Edgemont Street, the temple and its adjoining India Hall form an unusual spiritual compound - a place for meditation, devotional chanting, and the study of Kriya Yoga, the ancient science of meditation that Yogananda introduced to thousands of Americans after arriving in the United States in 1920.
The temple operates as a branch of Self-Realization Fellowship, the international spiritual organization Yogananda founded to carry on his teachings. Monastics of the SRF Order lead the Sunday services, and a circle of devoted lay members, many of whom have moved into the surrounding neighborhood to be near the temple, keep the daily life of the center running. The building, the gardens, the stained glass, and the rhythm of the week all reflect the quiet conviction that group meditation is a "castle that protects the new spiritual aspirants as well as the veteran meditators," as Yogananda himself put it.
How a Wartime Church Became Yogananda's Hollywood Temple
By the late 1930s, after fifteen years of nearly nonstop travel and lectures in America's largest cities, Paramahansa Yogananda was ready to put down roots in a permanent center. He had his eye on a parcel of land on Sunset Boulevard, but the early years of World War II made building from scratch impossible. In a talk he later gave about the temple's origins, Yogananda recalled praying that the Divine would lead him to a church already standing on the property:
"Lord, You have to show me to some church that I can move to this property on Sunset Boulevard."
Soon afterward, a lawyer friend called to say a client had an estate containing a small church that could be had for very little money. The building was moved to the Sunset Boulevard site and remodeled under Yogananda's personal supervision. "If theaters can be made so ornate and attractive in order to entice people to material amusements," he told his workers, "God's church should be even more lovely, because He is the essence of all beauty in the universe."
The interior was rebuilt with gold-leafed wood carving of original design framing the altar and speaker's platform, set against deep blue drapes and carpeting and pure white walls. Stained glass windows and a stained glass dome over the foyer were added, and monks and nuns of the SRF Order did much of the work themselves. The story of the stained glass windows has become part of the temple's lore: Yogananda sent his disciple Brother Bhaktananda out in a pickup truck to follow him to a building supply yard that had no record of any stained glass in stock. Yogananda walked down an aisle, picked curiously at a dusty pile, and uncovered the windows that would become the temple's signature feature. The dome above the foyer had been acquired years earlier from a small hotel adjacent to the Encinitas hermitage, after Yogananda noticed it sitting on a table during a tour and told the owner it had to come with the property.
India Center was built next to the temple during 1950 and 1951 by the monks of the Order under Yogananda's direction and was formally dedicated on April 8, 1951. The expansion included the two-level India Hall auditorium, living quarters for resident monastics, meditation gardens, and a vegetarian restaurant that operated until 1969. In the years following the temple's dedication, Yogananda regularly led Sunday services at Hollywood, alternating every other week with the SRF temple in San Diego, and spent long hours on Sundays giving personal interviews to those who came for his counsel.
The Temple and Its Grounds
The temple sits at 4860 West Sunset Boulevard, but visitors are asked to enter through the parking lot on Edgemont Street, about fifty feet south of Sunset Boulevard. The main lot is on Edgemont, with an overflow lot across the street and additional space in the Kaiser lot across from the temple when both are full on Sundays.
Inside, the original blue, white, and gold interior has been preserved as Yogananda left it, with the stained glass windows and dome casting colored light into the sanctuary. India Hall, the two-level building added in the early 1950s, is the center for most fellowship activities: Upper India Hall hosts the Senior Devotees Group, Lower India Hall is the home of the Hollywood Temple Singers and the weekly Women's Hatha Yoga class, and both levels are used for the monthly Young Adults gatherings and the Hollywood Temple Service Group meetings. Meditation gardens surround the buildings and provide quiet outdoor spaces, and the grounds also include the Bookroom and an Indian gift shop housed in a separate structure.
Receptionists in the Bookroom can arrange guided tours of the grounds, and the temple maintains a photo slideshow for those who cannot visit in person. Visitors from out of town who would like a tour may call the temple at (323) 661-8006 or fill out the request form on the location and hours page.
A Sunday at Hollywood Temple
The Sunday rhythm at Hollywood Temple follows the same shape that Yogananda set in the 1940s. The doors open for a silent group meditation from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., open to anyone who wishes to sit. On the first Sunday of each month, a short guided Introduction to Meditation is offered during this period for newcomers and longtime meditators alike.
At 11:00 a.m., the inspirational service begins. These hour-long services are led by monastics of the Self-Realization Fellowship Order and include readings from Paramahansa Yogananda's writings, periods of devotional chanting, silent meditation, and prayer. They also include participation in the worldwide SRF Prayer Circle, during which the healing techniques taught by Yogananda are practiced. After the morning service, SRF members are available outside the temple under the blue umbrella to answer questions from visitors and newcomers.
The Bookroom is open from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. after each Sunday service, where visitors can browse Yogananda's books, recordings, devotional items from India, and information about the SRF Lessons correspondence course.
Group Meditations on Friday and Sunday Evenings
Two longer group meditations anchor the week at Hollywood Temple. On Friday evenings the meditation runs from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., and on Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Both begin with the Energization Exercises, a series of psychophysical exercises developed by Yogananda in 1916 to prepare the body for meditation and to release stress and nervous tension. On nice evenings the exercises are practiced outside on the Temple lawn before the group moves indoors.
The meditations themselves begin and end with prayer and a brief period of devotional chanting, followed by the deep silence of concentration as taught by Yogananda. The silent period - generally no longer than forty to fifty minutes - is used to practice the Kriya Yoga techniques of concentration and meditation, to chant and pray in the language of the heart, and to enjoy the stillness of inner communion. Periods of chanting at the top of each hour mark the times when attendees may enter or leave quietly.
Childcare is not provided during the meditations. The temple asks meditators to turn off all electronic devices, wear soft fabrics that don't make noise, refrain from perfume, and leave food and drink in the car. Talking is not permitted during meditation, and visitors are encouraged to stay for the full session or, if they must leave, to do so at the beginning of a chanting period and walk away from the building in silence.
Commemorative Services Through the Year
Hollywood Temple marks the anniversaries of the figures in Yogananda's spiritual lineage with special commemorative services. These gatherings are held in the evening and include readings, devotional chanting, and meditation, and attendees are invited to bring a flower symbolizing devotion and a monetary offering as a tribute to the line of Gurus.
On the calendar are the Lahiri Mahasaya Birthday Commemoration, the Lahiri Mahasaya Mahasamadhi Commemoration, the Swami Sri Yukteswar Birthday and Mahasamadhi Commemorations, and the Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Commemoration, which is followed by cake and chai in India Hall. The annual highlight of the year is the All-Day Christmas Meditation, held in December in both India Hall (for those who stay the entire day) and the Temple (for part-day attendees), with a single half-hour break. The customary offering at this meditation is a fruit and a monetary gift in an envelope.
Sunday School and the Teen Group
Children are part of the Sunday rhythm at Hollywood Temple. Sunday School meets every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., running at the same time as the inspirational service in the Temple so that parents can attend the service while their children attend class. The program is divided by age into Preschool (ages 3-5), Primary (ages 6-9), and Junior (ages 10-12), with a separate Teen Group for ages 13 to 18 that meets once a month on the second Sunday.
The Sunday School format follows a steady shape: a pre-service activity to welcome the children, the Energization Exercises, a guided meditation at the heart of the class, a themed lesson told through stories, puppet shows, object lessons, and discussion, an optional hands-on activity, and a closing prayer. The purpose, in the temple's words, is to inspire children to seek God and love Him above all else, and to learn through Yogananda's "how-to-live" principles that inner peace and security come from an inner relationship with God, not from the things of the world.
Children may be registered in advance through the temple's online form or simply walked to class directly. Parents with children younger than three may hear the Sunday service from an adjacent building that has a live video of the service and toys for little ones, providing a quiet alternative to the main sanctuary.
Hollywood Temple Singers
The Hollywood Temple Singers are a year-round, audition-free choir that rehearses every Sunday from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. in Lower India Hall. Their primary purpose is to bring music to local convalescent homes, with occasional performances at temple events. Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome to join at any time.
Senior Devotees, Young Adults, and Women's Hatha Yoga
Three recurring fellowship groups meet around the edges of the temple's main schedule. The Senior Devotees Group gathers on the fourth Sunday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in Upper India Hall, where devotees seventy years and older share an afternoon of light refreshments, group study of Yogananda's teachings, and meditation. The focus of the group is on living in attunement with God and Guru during life's later years, with particular attention to the spiritual life in the third and fourth ashramas.
The Hollywood Temple Young Adults group is open to men and women ages 18 to 39 and gathers on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. in India Hall. Evenings include prayer, chanting, silent meditation, and discussion with an SRF monastic on applying Yogananda's teachings in daily life, followed by light refreshments. The format typically starts with a half-hour meditation at 6:20 p.m., an hour of inspirational discussion from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., and a final half-hour of fellowship. Periodically the group hosts a Hospitality Sunday and a Christmas potluck.
Every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., a Women's Hatha Yoga class is held in Lower India Hall. The class is open to women of all levels, with no experience necessary. Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothing suitable for movement and to bring a mat or blanket, with water recommended. A suggested donation of ten dollars helps support the class.
Days of Service and the Hollywood Temple Service Group
Volunteer service is woven into the life of the temple. Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., devotees gather to care for the meditation garden and grounds and to keep the buildings in good order. Those who serve at least three hours are invited to stay for a vegetarian lunch at 12:30 p.m.
On the first Saturday of every month, the temple holds a Day of Service from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The morning begins in the temple with a monastic-led prayer and short meditation, after which volunteers divide into teams to care for the temple and grounds. A short meditation is held at noon, followed by a home-cooked vegetarian lunch shared together.
For initiated Kriyabans - members who have received the Kriya Yoga technique of meditation - the Hollywood Temple Service Group (HTSG) meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in India Hall. The group is a fellowship of devoted Kriyabans committed to serving Yogananda's work at the temple, and meetings include meditation, discipleship classes with one of the temple ministers, service committee meetings, and spiritual fellowship. The HTSG was formally organized in the late 1950s under the guidance of the monastic disciple Meera Mata, with Eugene Ben Vau as its first chairperson. The Group has been guided over the years by Meera Mata, Brother Anandamoy, Brother Bhaktananda, and other direct disciples of Yogananda.
Prayer and Community Outreach
Beyond meditation and service within the temple, Hollywood Temple participates in the worldwide prayer work of Self-Realization Fellowship. Monks and nuns of the SRF Prayer Council pray daily for all who request help, and members and friends around the world join in through the SRF Worldwide Prayer Circle. Prayer requests may be submitted online; they remain confidential and are held by the Prayer Council for three months.
The temple's own Community Outreach Program includes Visits of Compassion, in which members connect with those unable to leave their homes for comfort and spiritual friendship, and Sharing Essentials With Love, an effort to support the local community through charitable giving. The Hollywood Temple Singers extend the outreach further by making monthly visits to local nursing homes to bring music and cheer.
The Bookroom and the Teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda
The Hollywood Temple Bookroom and Indian Gift Shop is open on Sundays from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. and offers a curated selection of Paramahansa Yogananda's writings and recordings. Among the books available are Autobiography of a Yogi, The Second Coming of Christ, God Talks With Arjuna - The Bhagavad Gita, the Metaphysical Meditations, and other volumes of talks and inspirational writings, along with DVDs, audio recordings, harmoniums, incense, and devotional gifts from India. The Bookroom also stocks applications for the SRF Lessons, the home-study correspondence course that introduces students to the meditation techniques taught by Yogananda, along with the Worldwide Prayer Circle booklet, the SRF Visitor's Directory, and the current schedule of services and special events.
Yogananda's teachings, as taught at Hollywood Temple, emphasize the underlying unity of the world's great religions and offer universally applicable methods for attaining direct personal experience of God. To serious students of the teachings, he introduced Kriya Yoga, the ancient science of meditation that traces its lineage through his own guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, back to Lahiri Mahasaya. The most familiar starting point for newcomers remains Autobiography of a Yogi, first published in 1946, which has been translated into more than fifty languages and is widely available in public libraries as well as in the Bookroom and the SRF online Bookstore.
Planning a Visit
First-time visitors can expect a quiet, contemplative atmosphere and an open welcome. Sunday morning services and the longer group meditations are open to anyone; guests are asked to wear soft, comfortable clothing and to leave phones, food, and drink outside. A short Introduction to Meditation is offered on the first Sunday of each month for those new to meditation or to Yogananda's teachings. After Sunday morning services, SRF members can be found outside the temple under the blue umbrella to answer questions.
Those interested in going deeper may enroll in the SRF Lessons, apply to join the worldwide Prayer Circle, attend the Sunday School or Teen Group, or volunteer for one of the Saturday work mornings. The Hollywood Temple Service Group is open to those who have been initiated into Kriya Yoga, and the Young Adults, Senior Devotees, and Women's Hatha Yoga groups are open to all who fit their respective communities. The temple's newsletter keeps visitors informed of services, events, and seasonal programs.
Self-Realization Fellowship is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and donations may be directed to either the temple's Building Fund or its General Operating Fund. Contributions may be made online, by check, by credit card through the SRF Mother Center, or through planned gifts and bequests coordinated by the Office of Planned Giving at the international headquarters in Mt. Washington.
Visiting Hollywood Temple
- Address: 4860 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90027
- Phone: (323) 661-8006
- Email: info@hollywoodtemple.org
- Enter through: the parking lot on Edgemont Street, about fifty feet south of Sunset Boulevard
- Parking: main lot and overflow lot on Edgemont Street; Kaiser lot across from the temple when both are full on Sundays
- Bookroom hours: Sundays, 12:00 to 12:45 p.m.
- Languages: services and meditations are held in English
Hollywood Temple is a branch of Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), an international spiritual organization dedicated to carrying on the work of Paramahansa Yogananda, whose meditation and how-to-live teachings continue to inspire people of all backgrounds more than eighty years after the temple on Sunset Boulevard first opened its doors.