![]() |
It is also one of the few places on earth where you can actually visit the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), the founder of modern India, housed in a spectacular shrine on the west side of the lake. The memorial service
for The Beatles' George Harrison
was held here in 2001. And in 2017, the funeral of George's friend (and fellow member of the Traveling Wilburys), fellow rocker Tom Petty (who was cremated) was also held at the Lake Shrine.
But don't let that fact hold you back. No one will bother you here. No one will preach at you, lecture you, or try to convert you. The grounds are open to the public and are as non-intimidating as a public park. The gardens are designed to offer peace and serenity to all visitors, of all faiths - a spot where one can relax amidst the natural surroundings and contemplate the mysteries and miracles of life.
Along with a few statues of Krishna and other Hindu deities, you will also find a life-size statue of Jesus Christ (above the waterfall, on the northwest side of the lake), as well as Saint Francis of Assisi (north of Gandhi's Shrine), and the Madonna and Child (in the sunken gardens grotto, near the gift shop). In short, every faith is welcome here. The gardens are filled with numerous little brick paths and short stairways which lead from the main trail to hidden alcoves where you can mediate or simply sit and take in the view. Some of these spots are above the main trail (where you'll find quiet benches and even a hummingbird feeder); smaller trails reveal lush fern grottoes hidden below. So be sure to take your time and explore the various paths. The prettiest spot in the park is probably just to the west of the Dutch Windmill. Here, you'll find a lily pond, a small rose garden, and a serene sunken grotto filled with ferns (where the white swans like to gather) - all offering a wonderful view of the main shrine across the calm lake waters. There is an East Indian gift shop here, which shares its small building with a tiny museum of sorts. The exhibits in the little museum offer gems, works of art, religious statues, and a little history about the Lake Shrine's founder. The intriguing gift shop offers exotic jewelry, books, and other items. The most important landmark here is the huge Golden Lotus Archway. Visible from all parts of the park, the huge archway resembles some giant Hollywood set - a towering, sleek, white arch trimmed with blue tile, and topped with enormous gold lotus blossoms. The archway frames the Gandhi World Peace Memorial, an outdoor shrine where an authentic 1,000 year-old Chinese stone sarcophagus actually holds some of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi himself. And all of this is
located just a few blocks away from the busy Pacific Coast Highway and
world-famous Malibu - yet it seems like
a world away. Hours: Tues-Sat: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Sun: 12:00 noon - 4:30 PM. Closed Mondays and occasionally on Saturdays. On Sundays, the small parking lot is very crowded with those attending religious services, and is closed off to the general public until the afternoon. Religious services on Sundays are at 9 & 11.
[For
more information on this subject, you can access the Self-Realization Fellowship's
official website at: http://www.Yogananda-SRF.org/temples.] |
|
Click Here to Return to the Main Menu
Copyright © 2008-Gary Wayne
All Rights Reserved
This webpage is not associated with any business
described in the article above, and does not constitute an
endorsement of this or any other business. The photos of celebrities on
this page also do not constitute
endorsements by them of any kind, and are used by the author solely to
illustrate this online article.
(Click here to read
other disclaimers)