A Place where devotees gather to share inspiration.
"Holy Mother" painted by Swami Tadatmananda
Used courtesy of the Vedanta Society of Southern California
SANTA BARBARA: A HOME OF THE HOLY MOTHER - 02
PRAVRAJIKA VARADAPRANA
Prabuddha Bharata – December 1987 : 506-508
Sarada Convent in Santa Barbara is a part of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, and is a branch of the Hollywood center presently headed by Swami Swahananda. The Vedanta Society has a convent in Hollywood as well as in Santa Barbara. Women monastics and devotees have always taken an active part in the work of the centers in America, and the nuns offer hospitality to the women devotees who come.
The Santa Barbara convent came into existence in 1947 as an extension of the Hollywood convent. In the same year the first brahmacharya vows for nuns were given in Santa Barbara. Seven senior Swamis were present on this auspicious occasion: Swamis Yatiswarananda, Prabhavananda, Satprakashananda, Akhilananda, Vividishananda, Vishwananda and Devatmananda. That afternoon each of the Swamis gave an inspiring talk outdoors under the olive trees to a large group of devotees.
The beautiful Vedanta Temple in Santa Barbara was dedicated in 1956 when Swamis Madhavananda and Nirvanananda came to take part in the dedication ceremonies. Since then the temple has received two awards for its beauty and contributions to the community. Many people come to meditate in the peaceful atmosphere of the temple and to attend the daily puja or arati.
From very early times there has been a close relationship with Sri Sarada Math in India also. Swami Prabhavananda was a champion for the establishment of convents in India as well as in the West, and helped in their support. Nuns from our convents visit the Sarada Math when they are in India, and we were happy to have a visit from two Sarada Math nuns in 1985.
Location: Bangalore, India