
The 50th anniversary of Ananda will be a week-long gala affair filled with deep inspiration, divine joy, and celebration.
Hundreds of friends from around the world will gather in the birthplace of this movement, Ananda Village, to honor the life of Swami Kriyananda, Ananda’s founder and direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and look to the future together. This week-long program will weave together all aspects of Ananda’s worldwide mission—fulfilling the will of the Masters, spiritual community, yoga in daily life, the path of Self-realization—into an experience of divine friendship for all who come.
The culminating event of the week will be the dedication of the Temple of Light at Ananda Village, a symbol of the uniting spirit that Ananda represents. Dedicated to truth-seekers everywhere, the Temple of Light is a physical manifestation of Ananda’s mission in every way. We hope you can come and celebrate this joyful occasion with your worldwide Ananda family.
Questions?
Contact Jayeswari at ananda50@ananda.org.
What's Happening?
Event Schedule and Overview
Daily Flow
- Morning sadhana in the Temple of Light
- Breakfast (details depend upon reservation)
- Morning keynote speaker(s) in the Temple of Light
- Catered lunch served at The Expanding Light Retreat by reservation only
- Afternoon sadhana options
- Many choices throughout Ananda Village for afternoon sharing, experiential workshops, and activities
- Catered dinner served at The Expanding Light Retreat by reservation only
- Evening entertainment
Schedule for the Week
Sunday, June 30
Welcome DayGuests arrive and settle into their accommodations. The evening program will be a welcome and orientation for all.
Monday, July 1
50 Years of Manifesting the Vision of the MastersNayaswamis Jyotish and Devi will launch our week of inspiration. The evening will be a kirtan in the new Temple of Light.
Tuesday, July 2
The History of Ananda Expressing in the WorldLearn how the divine consciousness and mission of the Masters descended to the physical and spiritual expression of our work in creating Ananda. The evening will feature a showing of The Answer, the award-winning film written by Swamiji to show his life with his Guru, Paramhansa Yogananda.
Wednesday, July 3
Expansion in America, Europe, India, and the WorldWith ministers who helped spread this work around the world. The evening will celebrate three of Swamiji’s plays, with short excerpts from The Land of Golden Sunshine, The Peace Treaty, and Jewel in the Lotus.
Thursday, 4th of July
How to Live the Masters’ VisionOn this day we will share how Ananda has manifested to meet the basic needs of people: intellectual, emotional, material. The evening will be a concert of the music of Swami Kriyananda performed by Ananda’s worldwide choir.
Friday, July 5
Swami Kriyananda and Ananda’s Place in the World ReligionsIncluding a talk by our beloved friend and “spiritual brother” of Swamiji, D.R. Kaarthikeyan, an ambassador for world peace, as well as Ananda ministers. The evening will include historical footage of Swamiji’s talks as well as some of his slide shows.
Saturday, July 6
Dedication of the Temple of LightThis day will be highlighted by special ceremonies to honor our line of Masters, as well as to dedicate the Temple to the Light of all religions, with guest spiritual leaders from the great world religions. The day will end with a special dinner and program in the Temple of Light.
Sunday, July 7
Sunday Service FarewellOur first Sunday Service in the Temple of Light.





Celebration Through Food
Kayla Wexelberg, culinary anthropologist, educator and caterer is the chef and owner of Taste Your Roots and caterer of Ananda’s 50th Anniversary!
Lunch and dinners, served at The Expanding Light Retreat, are available for purchase by reservation before June 1, 2019.
About Taste Your Roots
Taste Your Roots catering is designed to help support and nurture community events such as weddings, birthdays, healing retreats, festivals and various conscious gatherings.
These lovingly prepared meals are specialized around meeting the dietary and health needs/desires of the participants as well as including and encouraging a connection to the local foods and cooking traditions in the area. Most of the meals are vegetarian with gluten free, raw and vegan options.
Taste Your Roots has catered for retreat centers and events all over the world such as America, Italy, France, Australia and Thailand.
How to Register
Everyone will need to register, which includes:
- Choosing when to visit
- Exploring accommodations options (or get only an Event Pass)
- Registering online through either The Expanding Light Retreat or Online with Ananda
(Purchasing meal tickets is coming soon.)
Step 1: Choose When to Visit
Come for either a full week or for 4 days:
- Full week: Sunday, June 30 through Sunday, July 7
- 4-day: Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 7
Step 2: Explore Accommodation Choices
This option is for guests who have made their own accommodations and may request to purchase meals and/or scheduled shuttle transfers.
Admission to the event and does not include accommodations or meals. All guests must purchase an Event Pass to attend. This option is for guests who have made their own accommodations and may request to purchase meals and/or scheduled shuttle transfers.
The Garden Party Fundraising Gala and Indian Celebration are meals and are not included in the Event Pass. Tickets for these events are available separately.
This all-inclusive package includes:
- Admission to Ananda’s 50th Anniversary event
- A twin bunk bed (towels and bedding available for purchase—please email us) or RV spot (hookups not available; please email us to request a spot)
- Shared shower and bathroom facilities
- Breakfast at Shady Creek and lunch and dinner at The Expanding Light Retreat
Notable features at Shady Creek include a swimming pool, cool rooms for sleeping, eating, meditating, and daily event shuttle service.
Full Week — $693 — Sunday, June 30 to Sunday, July 7
4-Day — $396 — Wednesday evening, July 3 to Sunday, July 7

Full Week — $443 — Sunday, June 30 to Sunday, July 7
4-Day — $256 — Wednesday evening, July 3 to Sunday, July 7
Family Camping
For families with children interested in camping, our Living Wisdom Center will be outfitted with a small campsite providing tent sites, restrooms, electricity, potable water and food storage (not for cooking or substantial meals).
This will also be the site of daily programs for children and is centrally located in Ananda Village, providing relatively easy access to Master’s Market and adjacent shower facilities, The Expanding Light and the new Temple of Light.
For More Information
If you’d like to know more about camping, please contact Badri at badri@ananda.org or 530-478-7651.
Questions?
Contact Jayeswari at ananda50@ananda.org.
Step 3: Register Online
Event Pass Only
$175 / $100
Full Week / 4-DayAdmission to the event but not including accommodations or meals, including The Garden Party Fundraising Gala and the Indian Celebration.
Shady Creek
$693 / $396
Full Week / 4-DayAll-inclusive package including admission, lunch and dinner, and accommodations.
Camping
$443 / $256
Full Week / 4-DayAll-inclusive package including admission, lunch and dinner, and accommodations.
Online
$108
Full WeekCovers all masterclasses, morning meditations, and evening entertainment including the Temple Dedication Ceremony.
Learn More About…
Transportation
Airport shuttle transfers and rides are available for purchase prior to June 1, 2019 for $85 each way to/from the Sacramento Airport (SMF).
Shuttles will operate between 9 am–5 pm PST for arrival on June 30 and July 3 and for departure on July 7.
Event shuttles will operate on a daily schedule between various locations within Ananda Village. This is included in the Event Pass and the all-inclusive packages.
For guests staying at Shady Creek, daily shuttle service to and from Ananda Village is included.

Event Sponsorship
Own a small business? Want to put your marketing dollars to a great cause and reach Ananda’s members around the world? Sponsorship options are available starting as low as $1,000.
Your Questions Answered Here
Do you need more information? We have you covered! If this still isn’t enough, make sure to contact us.
Shady Creek Outdoor School is a residential environmental science camp. Our goal is to teach to the whole child including:
- developing a feeling of personal responsibility to help preserve, conserve, and enhance our environment;
- developing heightened observation skills to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world;
- and developing a feeling of self-confidence and self-acceptance while also instilling the ability to cooperate with and appreciate the diversity of others.
This beautifully stewarded 130 acres of nature, rammed earth and eco-conscious facilities will offer a retreat of quiet comfort with the simple essentials for a blissful and celebratory pilgrimage.
Shared rooms may accommodate up to 250 guests according to their requests and the logistics. Each room has the capacity to sleep 6-8 people as needed.
For example, a group of 8 traveling together could all share one room or they could share two rooms depending upon availability and assignments. A group of friends could request to share a room together.
Please feel free to collaborate with your friends, center leaders, etc. We are all gurubais coming together to celebrate 50 years of Ananda sharing the light!
Make a note in your reservation about who you would like to share a room with and/or send an email to ananda50@ananda.org.
With 250 beds, guest accommodations at Shady Creek will feel like an extension of Ananda Village. Bedding or towels are not provided.
Guests who have arranged accommodations on their own have the option to purchase a 7-day or 4-day meal pass, opting to select lunches only, dinners only, or both.
Prices for meal passes:
7-day, lunch and dinner: $168
4-day, lunch and dinner: $96
7-day, lunch OR dinner only: $84
4-day, lunch OR dinner only: $48
Lunches and dinners will be catered by Taste Your Roots and require payment prior to June 1, 2019.
Food items will be available for purchase at Master’s Market during the week.
A single meal pass for the Temple of Light dedication dinner is $15.
This meal pass is available for purchase with an Event Pass reservation. Please purchase your Event Pass and include a comment in the reservation that you would like to purchase meals and/or send an email to ananda50@ananda.org.
For guests who purchase a 7-day or 4-day meal pass or a 7-day or 4-day dinner meal pass, the Temple of Light dedication dinner is included in that purchase.
Contact Us
Still have questions? Please write to us and we’ll help sort things out.