Gilroy Gardens is the brain child of Michael Bonfante, owner of a chain of northern California Nob Hill grocery stores. This 75-acre theme park has ecology at its roots. Gilroy Gardens is a wholesome place where you can have fun with your family in a rich, garden setting that is environmentally friendly. Saturday is the busiest day of the week at the Temple, and parking is limited. If you plan to visit on a Saturday between 11am and 7pm, make a reservation here. Sundays, the Center is only open between 4pm and 7pm. Reservations are required for visiting on Sundays.
![]() Visiting the Temple
Reservations are required for day visitors arriving between 11 and 7 on Saturdays, between 4 and 7 on Sundays and between 11 and 7 on Major Holidays. People arriving without a reservation during these times will not be admitted to Mount Madonna Center.
Saturday is the busiest day of the week at the Temple, and parking is limited. If you plan to visit on a Saturday between 11am and 7pm, make a reservation here.
Sundays, the Center is only open between 4pm and 7pm. Reservations are required for visiting on Sundays.
Reservations are not required when visiting on non-holiday weekdays during our open hours.
Upon Arrival
Please pick up a brochure at the Gate House or Temple highlighting areas open to day visitors. The Temple is located within a private residential community, and many areas are reserved for private retreats and conferences.
Quiet Please
Please help us to maintain an atmosphere of peace and contemplation. Many of Mount Madonna Center’s guests practice meditation and other spiritual disciplines for which quiet surroundings are important. Please avoid loud conversations and be sure that any children in your group are not left unattended.
Anjaneya’s World Café
Located within the Center property, the Café provides light snacks and refreshments.
For cafe hours, please visit the cafe page on the Mount Madonna Website.
Samosas are available at Anjaneya's World Cafe on Saturdays from 1pm - 6:30pm, and Sundays during open hours.
Honoring the Space
Most buildings and indoor areas surrounding the Temple are reserved for registered guests and residents of Mount Madonna Center. To register as an overnight guest on a personal retreat at the Mount Madonna Center, please visit www.mountmadonna.org/personal.
Food Policy
Aside from prasad offerings, outside food is strictly prohibited at Mount Madonna Center. Coffee, Chai and snacks are served in our café. If you wish to have a picnic, Mount Madonna County Park is one mile from the center and offers picnic tables. Please note that the park requires payment of an entrance fee to use their facilities which can be paid at the park entry station. Learn more at Mount Madonna County Park's website.
Meals at the Center
For those wishing to dine at the Center dining hall, limited reservations are available. (Please note that we do not make reservations for Sunday.) Please make a reservation at least one day in advance by speaking directly with a MMC receptionist at (408) 846-4065. Visitors who have a meal reservation must pay for their meal at the reception office in the Community Building before 5pm.
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Meal times are as follows:
Samosas are available at Anjaneya's World Cafe on Saturdays from 1:00pm-6:30pm, and Sundays from 4:00pm-6:30pm
Bringing Offerings
You are welcome to bring offerings to the Temple, and we ask that you respect the following guidelines:
On Saturdays, a pujari will be at the Temple throughout the day to give tilak and prasad, and to make offerings on behalf of the visitors. On weekdays after morning arati, when a pujari is not present, items can be placed on the table to the right of the entrance to the Hanuman Temple (marked with a sign) and will be offered during evening arati. Generally, prasad that has been previously offered will be available throughout the day on the table to the left of the Temple, which is also clearly marked.
The Temple area is available for quiet contemplation or chanting, and written prayers may be left for the pujari to place at Hanuman’s feet during arati.
Large Groups
Groups of 20 or more planning to visit the temple anytime during open hours on Saturdays and Sundays must make a request at least 3 weeks in advance by calling(408) 722-0226 or emailing [email protected]. Confirmation of a large group visit will depend on availability. Please also note that Mount Madonna Center is only open from 4pm to 7pm on Sundays.
Volunteering
If you would like to become a volunteer, please fill out our New Volunteer Form.
It all started in summer 2012 some friends gathered for a community prayer in Glen Oaks, a booming Asian Community in Queens, New York. Discussions centered on the religious and spiritual needs of Hindus in the area, and everyone present agreed that there was a critical mass for building a temple in the GlenOaks area, to serve the community. Soon the idea took shape and a core group of twenty people met several times to hammer out the details the name for the organization, the mission, evaluating potential locations, and identifying major sponsors and support groups. Within the first few days of 2012, Sri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir (SMHM) was created with temporary members, and the temple was named Hanuman Temple. Documentation necessary for certification as a charitable, non-profit organization 501(c)(3) was prepared and filed with appropriate authorities. Approved Non-Profit Organization TAX ID: 46-2449532 In October 2012, the temple opened for Hindu religious services with the Prana Prathishtapana of Sri Punch Mukhi Hanuman and Lord Shiva. In August 2013, Prana Prathishtapana of Sri Ganesh. During Summer 2014, Prana Prathishtapanas of several deities were performed Sai Baba and Jalaram Baba and on JanamAsthami 2015 Prana Prathishtapanas of Sri Radhe Krishna was done. With tremendous encouragement and support from devotees, an existing building was renovated in a grand style. Sri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir has been catering to the religious and spiritual needs of Hindus for more than three years now. There is a full time Office Manager to attend to the needs of devotees. This has been an exciting beginning of the temple project marked by the tireless dedication and generous support of devotees. On Ganesha Chathurthi Day, ShivRatri day , Hanuman Jyanti day devotees waited in line for more than an hour to seek the blessings. The turnout on other festival days, such as Navarathri, Deepavali, Karva Chawth, Holi, Lori, Sankranti and Vaikunta Ekadasi was equally impressive. That the devotees have gotten this far in such a short time is a clear indication that Sri Hanumanji’s blessings are with them. They are confident that within a very short time the permanent structure will be built to serve the Hindu community as a venue for practicing their faith and for maintaining the Hindu culture, values and principles. This is our temple. Sri Krishna says in Bhagavat Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 48), “Karmanye Vadhikarasthe Ma Phaleshu Kadhachana, Karma Phala Hethur Bhur Mathe Sangosthava Karmani”, we need to do our duty and leave the results to Him. To build this temple for ourselves, our elders and future generations, we need a large number of dedicated devotees. With His grace and with our commitment (physical, moral and most importantly financial), we can create the temple of our dreams for generations to come. ![]() Comments are closed.
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December 2022
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