World’s Famous Greatest Saint of The 20th Century - “Neem Karoli Baba”

Biography of Neem Karoli Baba

“Saints and sages are the world's light; they show us the way to truth and love. To forgive and forget. They help us to find our inner peace and to live our lives in harmony with all beings. We are grateful for the wisdom and guidance of saints and sages. May we always follow their example and make the world a better place.”

India is renowned as the land of sages and saints. The sages and saints here have given a new identity to the country in the world. From ancient times till now, India has seen many Mahatmas. Positive thinking provides a new direction. Saints and Mahatma people, by giving up their comforts and facilities they also do well for the country. One such saint was the supreme devotee of Lord Hanuman, who improved the disappointed life of the people and gave them new positive energy. Neem Karoli Baba of Kainchi Dham is one of them. Neem Karoli Baba was considered a divine man. He has always given the knowledge of serving others. Neem Karoli Baba or Neem Karauri Baba or Maharaj ji has counted among the greatest saints of the 20th century. His birthplace is the village Akbarpur district Firozabad Uttar Pradesh which is 500 meters away from Hirangaon. Neem Karoli Baba's name was Lakshminarayan Sharma.

Kainchi, Nainital, is on the left side of Bhuwaligad at a distance of 7 km from Bhuwali. The annual function has celebrated on June 15 in the Kainchi temple. On that day, a massive crowd of Baba's devotees gather here. Maharajji had one of the Indian divine men of this era.  It has believed that Maharajji was 17 years old when he had all the knowledge at such a young age. The local people addressed him as Hanuman ji, and Miraculous Baba.

When Neem Karoli Baba was alive, people knew him by the names of Laxman Das, Handi Wale Baba, Tikonia Wale Baba and Talaiya Baba.

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A unique story of Neem Karoli Baba with a Miracle  

Baba Neem Karoli's journey to visit Ganga Maiya on the first-class train from Tundla to Farrukhabad had met with insults and forced him to leave the train. He sat under a neem tree without protest and buried his tongs in the ground. The train stopped, and the guard, driver, and ticket inspector realized their mistake and begged Baba's forgiveness. Baba agreed to board the train again so that no saint would be insulted. The station was named Nibkarori Station, and Baba Neem Karoli stayed there, creating an idol of Lord Hanuman and doing severe meditation in a cave. The story of Baba and the train incident became famous worldwide, and his father was overjoyed to find his son in the form of Neem Karori Baba at Nibkarori Dham.

Foreign Celebrities Influenced by Neem Karoli Baba

Apple founder Steve Jobs was greatly influenced by Neem Karoli Baba. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg also visited Kainchi Dham on the advice of Steve Jobs. Zuckerberg was going through a struggle at that time. His company Facebook was almost on the verge of being sold. Then on the advice of Steve Jobs, he came to the place of Kainchi Dham. Zuckerberg said this during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Facebook's office. Steve Jobs came to Kainchi Dham in 1974. But he could not meet Baba as Baba had taken Samadhi a few days earlier. But with the blessings of Baba, the whole life of Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg changed.

The name of Hollywood actress Julia Roberts also figures among those who believe in Neem Karoli Baba. Julia did not get to meet or go to Baba's place. But she became a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba only after seeing his photo. Professor Richard Edward of the Howard University of America is also in this episode. He was researching psychedelic drugs. He was expelled from the university due to drug addiction.

Gradually, Richard went into depression due to taking more drugs. In 1967, Richard came to visit India. Here he met Neem Karoli Baba. One day Neem Karoli Baba asked Richard for that medicine. Neem Karoli Baba ate many pills at once. But it had no effect on him. Seeing this, Richard's thinking changed towards drugs. He became an ardent devotee of Baba. Then he went back to America and changed his name to Ramdas. He got engaged in the propagation of the Hindu religion.

Introduction of Neem Karoli Baba 

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Kainchi Dham - Establishment

In 1942, Neem Karoli Baba was sitting near a small valley, some distance from Bhawali in Uttarakhand. Then he see a person on the hill. Neem Karoli Baba calls him by name Pooran. When Pooran comes to Neem Karoli Baba, Baba says, I am hungry. Bring some food from home. That person is surprised. I meet this Baba for the first time. How does he know me by name? At this, he puts forth his curiosity in front of Neem Karoli Baba. I have known you for many lives," answers Baba. That person tells everyone in the house about Neem Karoli Baba. Then he comes to Baba's place with the dal and roti present at home.

Neem Karoli Baba takes food. Then Karoli Baba says to Puran to go and bring some villagers. Neem Karoli Baba and some villagers cross the river to the forest on the other side. Then Karoli Baba stops at one place and says to dig out the stone and remove it; a cave is behind it. Puran and the villagers think they spent their whole life here instead, they have not found any cave here.  Villagers were surprised that how did Baba know about this place? At the behest of Neem Karoli Baba, the stone is removed by digging. Neem Karoli Baba also said that there is a Havan Kund in the cave. Everyone goes inside and does as Baba tells them. Everything is received as it is.

Neem Karoli Baba says that this is not a miracle. Instead, this place belongs to Lord Hanuman. Let's purify this place with river water. Then Lord Hanuman was installed there. Then Baba says that this place is the Taposthali of Somwari Baba. 

In 1962 Chaudhary Charan Singh was the Forest Minister. He provides Baba with a place for the construction of Kainchidham. As a result , Neem Karoli Baba is pleased and blesses Charan Singh with the hope that he will one day become the Prime Minister of India. Due to the blessing of Karoli Baba, Charan Singh became PM of India in 1979. This place is famous not only in the country but also abroad. Today, we know it as Kainchi Dham. Today there is an influx of devotees from all over the country and overseas.

Kainchi Dham Foundation Day 15 June 2023

Like Neem Karoli Baba, his Kainchi Dham Ashram is also famous not only in the country but in the world. All the devotees of Neem Karoli Baba eagerly wait for 15th June. On this day, Neem Karoli Baba had duly established Lord Hanuman in Kainchi Dham. Since then this day is celebrated as the foundation day of Kainchi Dham. These days the view here is made just by looking at it. Devotees from far and wide gather in Kainchi Dham temple along with people from nearby.

Where is Neem Karoli Baba's Ashram?

Neem Karoli Baba's ashram is in Kakdi Dham of Uttarakhand, where people from all over the country come to meet him. Built-in the hilly area, this temple has temples of five deities, one of which is the temple of Lord  Hanuman. The speciality of this place is that whoever comes here, his wishes are fulfilled. Even though Baba is not alive today, but his power is equally visible even today. Baba left his body on 11 September 1973 in Vrindavan.

What is offered to Neem Karoli Baba?

Generally, people offer sweets, fruits, money etc., in temples and ashrams, but in Kainchi Dham, devotees offer blankets. Because Neem Karoli Baba used to keep a blanket covered all the time.

Best Time To Visit

If you are planning a visit to Kainchi Dham, there is no specific time of the year when you cannot visit. However, the best time to visit this temple is during summer when the weather is pleasant. Winters are also beautiful with snow-covered peaks, but the temperature can be below 0 degrees. Monsoon can be a little tricky due to jammed roads and heavy downpours. So, plan your visit according to your preferences and enjoy the beauty of Kainchi Dham.

Knowledgeable Thoughts Given By Neem Karoli Baba 

1. Each line of Hanuman Chalisa is a Mahamantra.

2. Love all, serve all, remember God and speak the truth.

3. The universe is our home; everyone living in it belongs to our family. Instead of trying to see. 

4. God in a particular form, it is better to see Him in everything.

5. When you are sad, in pain, or sick, or you watch a funeral, you learn many truths about life.

6. Lust, greed, anger, and attachment are to hell.

7. Clear the mind from all worldly things. If you cannot control your mind, how will you feel God? 

8. Keeping God in mind is genuine devotion; God should always be in your mind.

How To Reach

If you're planning to visit Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand, you'll be pleased to know that it's well-connected to most of the important towns and cities in the region. Whether you prefer to travel by road, train, or flight, there are options available to suit your needs. Below, you'll find a detailed guide on how to reach Kainchi Dham, so you can plan your journey with ease.

1. By Road

To reach Kainchidham ashram, you can take the motorable roads as it is well connected with Nainital city, which is only 18 kilometers away. You may also opt to hire a taxi cab for a more comfortable ride. The journey to the ashram is worth it as it offers a peaceful and serene environment, perfect for meditation and relaxation.

2. By Train

For train travellers, the nearest railway station is Kathgodam, which is 45 km away. You can hire a shared or private taxi from the railway station or take a bus.

3. By Air

For those travelling by air, Pantnagar airport is the nearest one, 76 km away.