Sankaṭ Mochan Hanumān Temple

The drive up the winding roads of the Santa Cruz Mountains immediately sets the tone for a visit to the Sankaṭ Mochan Hanumān Temple at the Mount Madonna Center. As the coastal redwood canopy thickens, the hustle of the Silicon Valley valley drops away, replaced by a profound, crisp mountain silence. ​The experience of visiting this sacred temple transitions from a scenic mountain drive into a deeply spiritual, sensory journey.

We flew out to California mainly to visit Sankaṭ Mochan Hanuman Temple, and honestly it was one of the most peaceful and powerful temple visits I’ve had. The moment you get there, it feels calm and spiritual — it’s the kind of place where you naturally slow down and just sit quietly for a bit. One big thing: you really need an online reservation. The slots go super fast (like they disappear in seconds). If you’re planning a trip, don’t wait till the last minute — try to book about a week ahead so you’re not stressed. Walk-in isn’t something I’d count on. The temple is up in the hills, and it gets cold, especially early morning or later in the day, so a good jacket helps even if it seems fine when you start out. We spent some time up at the top and it was honestly wonderful — quiet, peaceful, and worth the effort. Also, download offline maps before you go. Signal can be unreliable, and on the way back roads can sometimes be blocked or rerouted. Without directions it can get confusing getting out of the hill area. Nice extra: there’s a cafe on-site that had snacks and fresh tea, which was perfect after spending time at the temple Hope you all have blessings..

One of the best experiences in my life. The environment is so calm and divine. I visited during November, the evenings are pretty cold. Please do carry jackets. They provided blankets to make sure the visitors are warm. Bhajan books and relevant accessories were given too. Bhajan books can be downloaded using a QR code. There are some outstanding views backside of Annapurna cafe.

Beautiful and Serene place! We go to this temple very often on Saturday early mornings. Very recently they have started reservation system for Saturday early mornings too. It’s a beautiful drive up the Mount Madonna hill.

Visited today on 1/10/2026. Warm welcome by staff at 4 pm at the entrance gate and she provided a lot of great information about the temple and activities. Temple priest was also very welcoming. Cafe staff was friendly and tea/samosas were very good. And the ultimate part was 6 PM aarti. Best temple visit of USA so far.

Sankat Mochana Hanuman Temple is a beautiful and peaceful place, surrounded by nature. The surroundings are calm and refreshing. As soon as I entered the temple, the fragrance of chandan made me feel very positive and peaceful. It truly reminded me of temples in India. The Pandit is American, which I found very interesting and admirable. The Prasadam was very tasty and felt authentic. The drive to the temple is also very pleasant, with tall trees on both sides of the road, making the journey enjoyable. I have shared a few pictures as well. Overall, I really enjoyed visiting this temple.

Very serene and beautiful place. Parking requires reservations. Saturday reservations open on Monday morning 9.00am. Within seconds gets filled up. Download offline maps as there won’t be signal in certain parts.

I visited the temple on a Saturday morning during Navratri, just before sunrise. Arrived around 6:30 am — no reservation needed at this hour — hoping to attend the Hanuman Aarti, but the experience was so divine that I stayed for the Ram Pooja too 🙏🏻. The atmosphere was pure peace — quiet, clean, radiant with devotion. The temple is very unique, different from any in the Bay Area, nestled amidst majestic redwoods and overlooking a tranquil lotus pond 🪷. Every corner carries a sense of calm and positivity.