Splendid Structures: Sankata Mochana Hanuman Temple, Watsonville, CA

For posts on all structures such as temples, churches and building I have come across, go here.

Prologue: A series that showcases the large statues, beautiful temples and churches I visit in my travels or I accidentally come across while taking an off-beaten path. And sometimes yes, I would include buildings and palaces too. Sometimes Museums get involved too.

My brother drove almost more than 2 hrs to take me to this Sankata Mochana Hanuman Temple while I was visiting him in CA for my birthday. My nephew tagged along. Didn’t realize it is in the middle of Mount Madonna and smack in the middle of mountains. They have a retreat of their own too that we could go to for hiking, yoga and just spending time. Reservation is required on account of parking, but being my milestone birthday they allowed us. :). There are three temples – one for Lord Hauman, One of Lord Ganesha and one on the side for Lord Shiva.

Lord Ganesha’s temple is surrounded by a small moat filled with real-life fish and sculptures of a five-headed snake. Beside it was a small waterfall kind of thing with eater coming out of the mouth of a sculpture of Nandi.

The temple surrounding is filled with relics of the temple and of Lord Hanuman’s history. Beautiful trees such as Mango trees and lovely flowers graced the surroundings too.

It’s no surprise that we saw a statue of Lady Madonna since the temple is located on Mount Madonna.

They have their own firestation on the premises.