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Hanuman Temple Gilroy; SANKAT MOCHAN Hanuman temple is a project sponsored by Hanuman fellowship. It is located within the grounds of the Mount Madonna center for creative arts and sciences. There is another Ganesha Temple nearby to Hanuman temple which had been newly built. The staff are very much dedicated. It is a beautiful Location.
![]() PETITION AGAINST THE MANDATORY RESERVATION SYSTEM AT SANKAT MOCHAN HANUMAN TEMPLESankat Mochan Hanuman Sangha, California
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple was founded by Hindu Monk, Baba Hari Dass (Babaji) in 2003 with a vision to keep it open and free for all worshippers. The open air Temple is located on the grounds of Mount Madonna Center (MMC), which is run by a public -benefit non-profit organization in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California.
As of March 1, 2017, the management of MMC is enforcing Mandatory Reservation System. People are required to make a reservation online in order to visit the Temple on weekends and major Holidays. Limited number of online reservation spots are released by the management. The number of reservation spots changes every week. People have to wait weeks, and often months, before they get a reservation spot to visit the Temple. Many Temple visitors without reservations are turned away, even when they have driven far and were not aware of the Mandatory Reservation System.
EXAMPLE : On Saturday January 13, 2018, four people drove all the way from Sacramento (3 hours each way). This group had never visited this Hanuman Temple before and did not know about Mandatory Reservation System. There was parking available at the temple, still they were not allowed to enter the Temple and were turned away at the gate. All of them were very upset about being turned away. This is just one recent example. There were more that day and on many previous weekends and weekends after that.
USA, California
To:Sankat Mochan Hanuman Sangha, California
From:[Your Name]
I am opposed to the Mandatory Reservation System at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple located in Watsonville, CA
The Mandatory Reservation System is enforced by the governing body and community at Mount Madonna Center who are predominantly not Indian and not observant Hindus. Recently, this public-benefit non-profit organization is requiring devotees, who are mostly of Indian origin, to make appointments for worship at the temple located on their grounds, despite their founding principle of turning none away. They claim this is being done for two reasons: First, to assure capacity for fee-for-service programs such as Yoga Teacher Training and Ayurveda. Second, to extend quiet and privacy for the benefit of resident staff. I petition against this cultural misappropriation and violation of Fundamental Rights.
Please feel free to use the contact information in any manner which will assist in ending of this cultural misappropriation and violation of Fundamental Rights.
The first time I visited this temple was in the month of August in 2009; since then I'm a regular devotee. But trust me you wouldn't regret going there for a nice time over Saturday evening. I mention on going on Saturday, as it is considered to be the day of Lord Shri Hanuman, though anyday is a good day to visit :).. And as it is believed that praying to Lord Hanuman relieves any obstacle or that 'undone' task where everything goes wrong without any reason, so just one visit will attract you for ever... I heard about it for the first time as 'Gilroy Hanuman Temple' though it is actually called as 'Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple' and it is located in Watsonville; on top of Mount. Madonna. During the course of five years, it has now developed extra parking spots to now accommodate more than seven dozens of cars. It is most recommended to make an early day (if Saturday visit) reservation online on their portal. And get ready for an amazing driving experience, sometimes the drift in the weather may also be 10-20 F. Mt. Madonna center makes truly an ideal and wonderful location to worship Shri Ram's param bhakt and 'Sankat mochan Shri Hanumanji'.
Saturday Online Parking Reservations (11am - 7pm):
Temple has started to accept only online parking reservations for 10 people in ONE car due to hefty devotees visiting the temple, quickly register & make an online reservation at: http://www.hanumanfellowship.org/temple/reservations/ Note: Reservations for Saturday visit are accepted only until 7pm on Friday night. Saturday Dinner Reservations (for after 7pm): Call and reserve at: 408-846-4065
445 Summit Rd. Watsonville, CA 95076
Directions (FROM North/East/West bay-area):
Few GPS doesn't take you here, as mine didn't work so I have to take directions on a paper:
You can use following link to get google directions & remember after you get onto Summit Rd, take the final left meticulously (look for the sign with flowers on your left):
View Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in a larger map
Notes:
At 6 PM everyday, they have a Aarati & Bhajans going-on for atleast 30-45 mins. I would say this is the time to be at this place. Aarati & bahajan's are Indian traditional way to worship & pray the Lord. Also if possible try taking some organic fruit like banana / apples, or any fresh store / home-made Indian sweets so this can be distributed as God's prasad (like holy food with God's blessings) after the Aarati. Volunteers are needed weekends and holidays. Please email [email protected] or inquire with a Temple Docent about volunteer opportunities. Finally have a wonderful time there as its very close to nature & mountains, I found deer's as close as my arm's distance on my first visit & the location is simply amazing... ![]()
Go through http://www.mountmadonna.org/ for complete information about this place has to offer. Also www.hanumanfellowship.org has complete information about this temple right from history of the temple to activities & re-creation / peace center by the devotees . Scanned copy from Flyers I received from the Temple: ![]() Comments are closed.
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