Sanatan Mandir - San Bruno, California

Sangi Singh

This mandir has been my favorite since the last 20+ years and the Pandit ji is very well educated in Sanskrit and recites the vedas with real time explanations. My kids (girls) understand his explanations and now they only go to Pandit ji when they have questions about any rituals or Pooja. That being said there have been some very negative reviews about Pandit ji. That he is greedy and asks for $$ but one has to know that our scriptures and Vedas/puran all say that : Dakshina In they Vedic period, dakshina was a service fee paid to Brahmins or priests in exchange for a service.
Also A donation, fee, or honorarium given to a cause, temple, monastery, spiritual guide, or after a ritual. It can be expected, voluntary, or a tradition
So I am not sure why someone should have an issue with this. Please try going to other big temples where they have a price list of all services. At least this mandir is at will. So no the Pandit ji is not greedy. And about some comment about Pandit ji wrapped in a blanket and sleeping in the back room.. it’s not at like that. Pandit ji and other priests who follow the rules correctly shower every time they use the bathroom and it’s freezing in the temple during winter when no one is there. The management does not allow Pandit ji to turn on the heat just for himself , so how is one to keep warm?
About being raciest and not respecting women .. well he is not and never was. There are certain things during a Pooja women are not allowed to do so for him to say no is not being rude. The mandir management has revised there rules and changes are very visible lately, and Pandit ji is just an employee so he is also trying to follow the rules set forth.
Please do not defame someone if you don’t know the whole story.

reetu ranabhat

Yesterday I went to temple to worship for 5 minutes. Jaleshwar (Pandit)repeatedly pressured me to give him over $100, and forced me to give him all the money I had, $47. His behavior was not respectful and it made me feel uncomfortable, his behavior was not appropriate for the temple environment, where we go to worship and have good experiences.It felt like he was trying to scam me.

Asha Goel-Grandbois

I love THE TEMPLE WITH ALL MY HEART and will give ***stars
but…
Pandit is a different story, a very money orientated person. I perceive him a bit greedy. For example, in one of the sermons he said, “…whether you offer presents to God or not…must give dakshina to the pandit.” He will cut services short to tie up Molly on parishioners. Collects Dakshina again.
Also the same pandit’s sermon is like he is teaching a 1st or 2nd grader. Humiliating us by saying, “you do not remember this and that. I have told you so many times.”
Pundit goes off topics on hand to unrelated stories. If one asks a question for which he doesn’t have an answer, he says, “you do not understand. Ask me the question afterwards.” Never encourages devotees participation.
I believe that this pundit is not performing at a scholar or pundit knowledge level. I go to the temple to listen and participate in singing religious songs. Community participation and socialization.

bidhya khadka

I usually never ever write reviews but this time I was left with no choice. Pandit was mean and didn't care about feelings. He only wanted money and was pushy about getting paid. He didn't seem to care much about helping people spiritually. This temple is close to my house but every time we visit the temple pandit keeps on interrupting us while worshipping which is very frustrating. The pandit behavior was extremely disrespectful and discriminatory. He showed no respect for people who were different from him, treating them unfairly because of their race. He made others feel unwelcome to the temple. Every time, I had to think twice to visit this temple because I have to deal with him. It was clear that he did not believe in treating everyone equally, which is supposed to be a core value of religious leaders.

Bhavya’s “My Asthithav”

I visit this temple regularly, my kids accompany me most of times. We love visiting this temple, especially kids shows interest coming here is because of pandit ji, he was always nice with us. He offers prasad every single time while leaving and ask about whereabouts.

Achint Sharma

I visited the temple after dropping off my parents at Airport. Pandit Ji was very nice and blessed me for well being of my parents and for my marriage. ?

Will come back again. ?

Jai Shree ram! Jai mata di!

Avish Shah

Great mandir in the heart of San Bruno downtown. Parking is also available behind the temple but can get full fast. Radhe krishna, and shiva are worshipped here, every Tuesday evening bhajans are arranged. Special occasions are wonderfully celebrated with lovely community.

Nilesh Deo

Pundit says mix milk with water and than offer lord Shiva cause offering only milk is causing drainage problem. Mixed milk with water with a lot of sadness as I couldn't offer my Bhola pure milk. After praying saw pundit taking milk and putting in fridge. A small country like fiji doesn't have drainage problem when we offer milk to Shiva but this greedy pundit wants everything for himself. Defeats the purpose to pray and be at peace as his constantly hogging you. A shame I stopped going to the temple sole because of the Pundit