Tulips in Ananda

It was a random set of events that led me to the cult. A full tank of gas. Springtime temperatures in the 70s. The temptation of a few thousand tulips blooming. A whisper from the angel/devil on my shoulder that sounded like “carpe diem.”

So off I went, to find Ananda Village.

Commune, cult, retreat, yoga center, village of peace –Ananda Village sits on about 800 acres near Nevada City in the heart of gold country. Those who choose to give up their worldly goods and become residents here are encouraged to live simple lives and to focus on spiritual growth. They follow the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda who preached the idea that God is within each of us.

Along the way, someone started planting tulips on a hill there. Red, purple, yellow, orange, pink – all the colors that tulips come in, I think. Every year, a few more put in the ground. Today, there are more than 13,000 bulbs and that makes a spectacular sight each April as they bloom their brief display. For $5, you can enter the gates of the Crystal Hermitage and stroll the tulip-lined paths.

The terraced gardens are pretty spectacular, with views of a vast canyon and forested hills. The walk takes you by fountains, a chapel and the Shrine of the Masters. There’s a small gift shop and room of holy relics too.

The place hasn’t been without its share of controversy over the years. Religious leaders and accusations of sexual misdeeds seem to go together so a lawsuit of this sort came and went during the ‘90s. The word “cult” has been bandied about, with tales of happy people who seem brainwashed or drugged.

It seemed like a laid-back commune where people are trying to “get away from it all.” There are houses here and there (communally owned), the "Living Wisdom" school and "Master's Market" vegetarian grocery store. The deli offers homemade sandwiches, salads and treats along with organic duck and chicken eggs. There's a community center with a vegetarian cafeteria and a temple or two. It’s an interesting place and visitors are welcome. You can even stay to meditate, learn yoga and join one of their “silent” retreats.

Today, though, is about the tulips.