About Crystal Hermitage Gardens
What began 40 years ago as a small private garden by Swami Kriyananda for Ananda Village is now frequently a top Gorgeous Gardens in the West. Visiting the gardens is an annual springtime tradition in the Sierra Foothills for over 13,000 visitors traveling from as far away as India making Crystal Hermitage gardens the top 2 spots to visit around Nevada City in Northern California.
Every year 17,000 tulips bloom in the formal gardens surrounding Crystal Hermitage, giving a spectacular display of color—111 varieties—April through early-May.
These gardens, lovingly cultivated on a cliff side, also offer a spectacular view across the Yuba River.P. Kirby, Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Statistics
- Over 48,000 people have visited the gardens since it opened to the public in 2009.
- A record breaking 19,000 visited the gardens in 2023.
- 17,000 tulips are planted in the fall.
- 111 types of tulips can be found in the garden.
- 5,000 bedding flowers and plants are planted between tulips.
- 50 Green Team volunteers and staff plant tulip bulbs and bedding plants from October to January.
- Crystal Hermitage is funded and supported by the generous donors of Ananda Village, friends of Ananda, and garden patrons.
History
- 1969 Ananda Village was established.
- 1968 a friend built the original dome structure for free.
- 1983 an inheritance from Swami Kriyananda’s parents inspired him to build “a beautiful spiritual center for our whole community. It would also be my home.”
- 1984 the main building in the upper garden was completed. Kriyananda named his newly developed home, “Crystal Hermitage.” He consulted local architects, builders, and landscapers, and together with them created beautiful upper and lower gardens and pools. In the upper garden, he had a small meditation chapel built, and (later on) a museum which now holds relics from Yogananda and Ananda’s line of gurus. The main building, below, holds a large dining room and kitchen for banquets and social gatherings. The expansive lower gardens were designed for outdoor concerts and other programs.
- 2009 the gardens opened to the public for the first time.
- The gardens were inspired by Butchart Gardens.
About Ananda
For nearly 50 years Ananda.org has exemplified the spiritual ideals of Paramhansa Yogananda’s “World Brotherhood Colonies”. Under the guidance and blessing of Swami Kriyananda (1926–2013) and our great guru Yogananda, we have developed communities, schools, businesses, music and the arts, and retreat centers throughout the world where spiritual friendships, meditation, yoga, and selfless service thrive. Visit anandavillage.org to learn more.
Ananda Is…
… a worldwide movement of over 140,000 people practicing yoga and meditation in daily life. Like the well-known Findhorn, Ananda is a cooperative, spiritual community that began over 50 years ago, and has become an global ambassador of peace.
Through 8 communities, 164 teaching temples and meditation groups, 6 retreat centers, and an online community around the world, you can find Ananda near you. Ananda serves people and families seeking an inspired life, one filled with friendship, simple living, spiritual support, ethics, and joy.
Meditation and Yoga
There is no aspect of your life that cannot be improved by meditation, whether it be in business, relationships, health, or developing any personal quality, such as willpower. Learn more about Ananda meditation techniques and yoga classes.
Communities
Ananda’s centers around the world are places of learning, spiritual support, and fellowship. We have residential communities, teaching centers, and meditation groups. Find a Center. If you would like to get more involved but are not near a center, you are welcome to visit the Ananda Virtual Community.
Schools
All children are welcome in 5 Living Wisdom Schools near Ananda communities. Education for Life principles guide graduates to live happy and highly successful lives.
Our Inspiration
Paramhansa Yogananda
Ananda’s inspiration and spiritual teachings come from Paramhansa Yogananda and his spiritual lineage. Yogananda came to America in 1920. He was the first guru, showing the unity of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, and how to live with Divinity in daily life.
“Kindness is the light that dissolves all walls between souls, families, and nations.”Paramhansa Yogananda
Swami Kriyananda
Swami Kriyananda (1926–2013), a direct disciple of Yogananda, founded the original Ananda Village in the Sierra Foothills near Nevada City, CA in 1969.
Through over 150 books and 400 pieces of music (Crystal Clarity Publishers), Swami Kriyananda further illuminated and shared Yogananda’s wisdom with thousands of spiritual seekers who have continued his legacy of daily meditation, kindness, and ethical living.
Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
Nayaswamis Jyotish and Devi are spiritual directors of Ananda Sangha Worldwide.
With the passing of Swami Kriyananda in 2013, Nayaswami Jyotish was named by Kriyananda as his spiritual successor. Jyotish met Swami Kriyananda in 1966, working closely with him and his wife, Devi (who came to Ananda in 1969), to build Ananda’s work around the world.
“Our job is not to suppress the darkness—our job is to increase the light.”Nayaswami Jyotish
Contact
Contact Public Relations
Mai Lee
Public Relations
530-478-7712
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