Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood, USA

Started in 1930, this affiliate of the Ramakrishna Math has Swami Sarvadevananda as the Minister-in-charge, assisted by a few monks and nuns.
Activities:

1. Daily meditation, worship and vesper service.

2. Retreats, monthly Ramnam Sankirtan and round-the-clock vigils.

3. Celebration of religious festivals such as Kali Puja, Shivaratri, Christmas, and the birthdays of the Holy Trio, Swami Brahmananda, Sri Krishna, and Bhagavan Buddha.

4. Weekly classes and Sunday lectures.

5. A Vedanta press (publication unit) and a bookstore.

6. Active participation in interfaith meets.

7. Lectures and retreats by the Minister-in-charge and other monastics in schools, colleges, universities, and many places across the USA.

8. Support to a dozen Vedanta centres run by devotees across the USA.

9. Assistance to the poor and homeless.

The Vedanta Society has seven sub-centres:

A. Piñon Hills Retreat (started in 2006, located 85 miles northeast of Hollywood)
Activities:

1. Classes, seminars and discussions.

2. Monthly meditation retreats.

B. Vedanta Monastery, San Diego (founded in 1983)
Activities:

1. Daily meditation, worship and vesper service.

2. Classes, lectures and retreats.

3. A library.

4. Celebration of religious festivals.

5. Participation in and hosting of interreligious councils.

6. Talks at colleges and universities, and retreats at local yoga studios and other locations across the USA.

C. Vedanta Temple, Santa Barbara (started in 1947, nestled against a scenic mountain range)
Activities:

1. A convent and a bookstore.

2. Daily meditation and worship.

3. Retreats, classes and lectures, both on- and off-site.

4. Celebration of religious festivals.

5. Monthly feeding of homeless people.

6. Talks at schools and colleges, and participation in local interfaith activities.

7. A weekly Sunday school.

D. Vivekananda House, South Pasadena (Swami Vivekananda stayed here in 1900; acquired in 1956)
Activities:

1. Monthly retreats.

2. Annual open house and reception.

3. Guided visits for pilgrims and visitors.

E. Ramakrishna Monastery, Trabuco Canyon (founded in 1949; spread over 40 acres)
Activities:

1. A library and a bookstore.

2. A Sunday school.

3. Daily meditation, worship and vesper service.

4. Celebration of religious festivals.

5. Classes and lectures in English, and also Spanish (both local and online).

6. Karma Yoga Day on alternate months.

7. Participation in interreligious dialogues.

8. Weekly feeding of the homeless, and rehabilitation programmes for alcohol addicts.

F. Vivekananda Retreat, Ridgely (Swami Vivekananda stayed here thrice; acquired in 1997; spread over 82 acres)
Activities:

1. Guided tours of the retreat for pilgrims.

2. Regular classes, lectures and retreats.

3. Special programmes with distinguished guests.

G. Vedanta Centre of Greater Washington D.C. (established in 1997 on a 2.5-acre wooded plot)
Activities:

1. Daily worship, meditation and vesper service; weekly Karma Yoga Day.

2. Regular classes and lectures.

3. A bookstore.

4. A summer camp for children.

5. A medical clinic.

6. Celebration of Kalpataru Day, Shivaratri, Kali Puja, and the birthdays of religious personalities.