Santa Barbara Temple

Quietly nestled against a scenic mountain range, the Vedanta center in Santa Barbara overlooks the Pacific ocean. A convent of nuns oversees the maintenance of the 45-acre property, manages the bookstore and facilitates public activities at the temple. Activities include daily worship, meditation and vesper services, Sunday spiritual talks, scripture classes, and pujas (special worship services). The Society celebrates Durga Puja every year in the Santa Barbara temple. The activities of the temple will be shared digitally until further notice. Please check our upcoming events page for further information.

Dedicated in 1956, the temple has received several awards for its design, and is a special point of interest for architects from around the world. The bookstore is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 am–5 pm, and Sunday from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.

REACHING US:

You can reach the bookstore following these directions:

From the 101: Take the Sheffield or Olivemill exits to reach the temple and the bookstore at the Vedanta Temple. You may want to check the best route before your visit.

Contact Information

Hours:

M – SUN 6:30 am – 7:00 pm.

Sunday Talks are at 11:00 am, readings are at 5:00 pm Wednesday and Saturday. Worship is at 6:30 am and Vespers Service is at 6:00 pm daily.

We are streaming classes and talks on Zoom and YouTube.

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Bookstore:

TH – SAT 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

SUN 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

925 Ladera Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Phone: (805) 969-5697
Email: sbbooks@vedanta.org or gifts@vedanta.org

The Bookstore at the Vedanta Temple is located next to the temple. It is well-stocked with religious classics and hard-to-find books on the major religions of the world. The store also carries incense, religious statues, music, and imported gifts.

Visit the Bookstore website at www.vedantabookstore.com

Calendar of Events

January 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
  • Kalpataru Day Reading
2
3
4
5
  • Sunday Talk: A Strength-Giving Religion
6
7
8
  • Swami Saradananda
9
10
11
  • Karma Yoga Day
  • Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
12
  • Sunday Talk: Hindu and Catholic, Priest and Scholar: A Love Story
13
14
15
  • Swami Saradananda
16
17
18
19
  • Sunday Talk: Why Swami Vivekananda Matters
20
21
  • Swami Vivekananda's Birthday
22
  • Swami Saradananda
23
24
25
  • The Bhagavad Gita with Swami Sarvadevananda
26
  • Sunday Talk: Yoga for Psychological Transformation
27
28
29
  • Swami Saradananda
30
31
  • Swami Brahmananda Puja

Talks given in Santa Barbara

Facebook Posts

This Weekend: “Hindu and Catholic, Priest and Scholar: A Love Story” with our wonderful guest, Fr. Francis X. Clooney, S.J., of Harvard Divinity School. The talk will be in-person as well as streaming on YouTube. The YouTube stream is accessible here: www.youtube.com/live/1GdlV41EZUU?si=D6q9Xabvh7sdWky5 On Saturday we will have a Karma Yoga Day beginning at 9:15 am, followed by lunch in the Convent. We can’t wait to see you all! ... See MoreSee Less
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This Weekend: “A Strength-Giving Religion” with Swami Vedarupananda. The talk will be in person as well as streaming, on Zoom and on YouTube. The YouTube stream is accessible here: www.youtube.com/live/mX-qsbvlqTY?si=gXvTIN0MiyowJ63p ... See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

Vedanta Society Santa Barbara
Photos from Vedanta Society Santa Barbara's post ... See MoreSee Less
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This Weekend: “Grace in Spiritual Life” with Swami Sarvadevananda. The talk will be in-person, on Zoom, and on YouTube at this link: www.youtube.com/live/y0IwW8r2nzo?si=LXR0lZEg7Tf3bYKzOn Tuesday 12/31, at 11:30 PM, we will meditate together in the temple to ring in 2025. We can’t wait to see you! ... See MoreSee Less
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from “For Spiritual Seekers” ... See MoreSee Less
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