The Neem Karoli Baba Ashram is a unique ashram and Hanuman temple located on the Nainital-Almora road. Visitors refer to this place by many names, among which Kainchi Dham is the most famous. Devotees from around the world come to this small ashram nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas to seek blessings from Neem Karoli Baba. This ashram is also known as the place that changes one’s destiny. Every day at 7:30 a.m., Aarti (a ritual of worship) is held here, and participating in it is considered a blessing by the devotees.
Each year, on June 15, a grand fair and feast (Bhandara) is organized at the ashram, drawing massive crowds from all over the world. The Neem Karoli Baba Ashram was established in 1964. Baba first came to this place in 1962, and along with his friend Purnanand Ji, thought of building the ashram. There are 108 ashrams of Guru Neem Karoli Baba around the world, with Kainchi Dham being the first and most popular among them.
Not just ordinary people, but billionaires and powerful personalities are also among Baba’s devotees. This includes Indian Prime Ministers, Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, Apple’s founder Steve Jobs, and renowned American mathematician and Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Life Introduction of Neem Karoli Baba
Neem Karoli Baba was born in a small village in Akbarpur district of Firozpur. His village is located about 500 meters from Hiran Gaon. His real name was Laxmi Narayan Sharma. Baba Neem Karoli is considered a divine Indian figure of modern times. At the age of 17, Baba had attained complete spiritual knowledge, which is considered impossible for an ordinary human.
It is believed that Neem Karoli Baba’s guru was none other than Lord Hanuman himself. Neem Karoli Baba is known as the Saint who can change destiny. People from all over the world come to visit his ashram, believing that merely seeing Baba’s idol can change the lines of fate and remove all troubles.
Such a saint whose stories are famous even across the seven seas. In our country, apart from colorful babas, there have also been spiritual saints whose stories are still heard across India. Baba Neem Karoli could understand a person’s mental state just by looking at them and would offer them solutions to their problems.
It is believed that Neem Karoli Baba arrived at Kainchi Dham in 1962. At that time, Kainchi Dham was just a small town or village with only 15 houses. There’s also a unique story about how the place was discovered, shared by the locals.
Devotees of Neem Karoli Baba come from America, London, France, and other countries. They travel thousands of kilometers to visit the ashram. It is said by old people that Baba could place his hand on anyone’s head and instantly know what was happening in their mind and life.
Around 1958, Baba left home and adopted the spiritual path, becoming a sadhu (ascetic). During this time, he was known by many names such as Handi Wale Baba, Talaiya Baba, and the Miraculous Baba.
Eventually, he stayed at Kainchi Dham in his final years and passed away in 1973 in Vrindavan. At the end of his life, when he was in the hospital with an oxygen mask on, he removed the mask and asked for Ganga water. Holding the water in his hand, Baba Neem Karoli entered Samadhi in Vrindavan.
Miracles of Neem Karoli Baba
The miraculous stories of Neem Karoli Baba are known across the world.
Some of them are as follows:
- Richard Alpert – American Mathematician
- Julia Roberts – Hollywood Actress
- Steve Jobs – Founder of Apple
- Mark Zuckerberg – Founder of Facebook
These famous faces from across the world are counted among Baba’s devotees, and each one has a miraculous story connected with Baba. These stories are nothing short of miracles.
1. Story of Mark Zuckerberg – Founder of Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg’s story is one that even surprised the Prime Minister of India. It is said that when Facebook was running at a loss and Zuckerberg couldn’t see a way forward, he came to India to seek blessings from Neem Karoli Baba. With Baba’s blessings, all his problems disappeared, and Facebook rose to its peak.
Zuckerberg himself said in his words that when he came to Baba’s ashram, he found inspiration. He said, “There was a time when I couldn’t see any path ahead. People were trying to buy Facebook, and I too felt like selling it.” That’s when he went to his mentor, Steve Jobs, who advised him, “If you want to connect with the world, go to a temple in India.”
After traveling for a month, he arrived at the temple. He saw how people are connected to each other and how such connection could build something better. That’s when he decided to work harder on Facebook, which eventually grew to become the global platform it is today.
Zuckerberg says he visited Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram on Steve Jobs’s suggestion. After visiting, he never faced any trouble in his company again.
2. Story of Steve Jobs – Founder of Apple
It is said that Steve Jobs came to India in the 1970s intending to meet Neem Karoli Baba. But by then, Baba had already left his body. Still, after visiting the ashram and getting darshan there, his life changed in many miraculous ways. Later, he founded Apple, a company now famous across the globe.
It is believed that Steve Jobs always kept a photo of Baba in his wallet. In his final days, he kept Baba’s picture in front of him.
3. Story of Richard Alpert – American Mathematician
In the 1960s, when American mathematician Richard Alpert came to India looking for a spiritually awakened person, he wandered through the Himalayas. During his journey, he met someone who advised him to visit Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram.
While driving towards the ashram at night, his car stopped. He stepped out and looked up at the sky, remembering his mother while gazing at the stars. Later, upon arriving at the ashram and meeting Baba, Baba said to him, “I know you were looking for your mother among the stars.” Alpert was stunned. After this, he became a disciple of Baba and came to be known as Ram Dass.
Neem Karoli Baba did not prefer long lectures; instead, he wanted people to achieve liberation in a free and simple way. He created an ashram free from pomp and show.
4. Story of Julia Roberts – Hollywood Actress
Hollywood actress Julia Roberts shared her own story. She said that when she saw a photo of Neem Karoli Baba, she developed a deep interest in learning Hindi and understanding Hinduism. At first, she knew nothing about Baba, but after seeing his photo, she felt a strong desire to explore Hinduism.
Though she never got to meet Baba because he passed away in 1973, she said that seeing the photo stirred a deep curiosity about Hindu culture and religion in her heart. Eventually, she embraced Hinduism.
