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.

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.