The southern California chapter of the Nandalala Mission was founded in 1999, and serves the communities in the greater Los Angeles area.

One of the distinguishing events that the volunteers of the southern California mission conduct every year is the beautiful Deepa Pooja, the Prayer of the Holy Lamps. It is an annual event conducted at twilight, and the prayer is performed by 108 families. The significance of this prayer is explained in the following words of Sri Akka:

LIGHT LEADS TOWARDS DIVINITY

One should first realize the divinity within oneself. Only then will one realize that such an essential sacred awareness exists in all living beings.

Relationship with another is Love. Feeling empathy for another’s suffering is Compassion. Love is expressed as Compassion. Illumination is the manifestation of the flame of a lamp, just as Compassion is the manifestation of the nature of Love.

Lighting a lamp is a divine art. The Flame of the lamp should resemble a pearl. When the lamp distributes light in this manner – beautiful to behold yet small and steady like a pearl, we will attain the full benefit of our prayers.

A lamp should not be considered as just providing Brightness. Since it dispels Darkness as well, lighting a lamp is akin to Social Service. A lamp is symbolic of the inner power of Energy (Shakthi). Its rays symbolize the many forms of energy in this world.

It is certain that the Thiruvilakku Pooja will shower benefits on Mankind.

Mathioli Saraswathy
1999

The southern California chapter also organizes a number of other religious events in the local area.