Where Is Neem Karoli Baba Mandir? What Are The Major Pilgrimage Sites Associated With Neem Karoli Baba?
“Nāsadāsīnno sadāsīttadānīṃ nāsīdrajo no vyomā paro yat |
kimāvīvaḥ kuha kasya śarmannambhaḥ kimāsīdgahanaṃ gabhīram ||”
– Nasadiya Sukta, Rig Veda
Roughly translated, this Sanskrit sloka means that then there was neither non-existence nor existence. There was no air or sky beyond. Then, what covered it? And where and by whose protection was this unfathomable water?
Now, I find this sloka about the beginning of the universe very relevant while describing the landscape of spiritual tourism in India. It is hard to predict how this land came to be associated with spiritual practices and the attainment of pure consciousness.
Also, some people in India, coming from the most unassuming places, have transformed the lives of other people with their spiritual knowledge and presence. Neem Karoli Baba is one such persona who has showered unconditional love and blessings on countless devotees.
He is more significant as a spiritual leader because his teachings, “Sub Ek,” resonate with the concept of oneness or inclusivity in the Hindu philosophy. I have been most fortunate to visit the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram, Kainchi Dham, and it was an experience beyond words.
You cannot explain the goosebumps you feel, or when a moment of consciousness strikes you like a thunderbolt. Can you?
Still, here is an attempt to know more about this emancipated spiritual leader, Neem Karoli Baba. Also, many places in India and abroad today have the Neem Karoli Baba Mandir. I will give you a brief overview of the major sites.
Who Is Neem Karoli Baba?
In a recent interview with Just Too Filmy, Manoj Bajpayee said how he and director Raam Reddy felt the magic and received the much-needed inspiration at the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in Kainchi Dham before the filming of their movie, Jugnuma (The Fable).
However, it is not Manoj Bajpayee alone. Neem Karoli Baba and his spiritual magificence have touched many prominent names from different fields, such as Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, Julia Roberts, Harvard Professor and psychologist Ram Dass, Mark Zuckerberg, and Steve Jobs.
Even V.V. Giri, the former president of India, was a great devotee of Neem Karoli Baba.
Simplicity and mindfulness! These are the two common factors that all these devotees have claimed have changed their lives.
And such is his aura and miraculous power that even today, popular spiritual leaders, such as Krishna Das, the Grammy Award Nominee, talk about him on popular podcasts, Beerbiceps, and he said that the presence of Neem Karoli Baba was always awe-inspiring, and what was happening before was beyond grasp.
How Lakshmi Narayan Sharma Of Akbarpur Became Neem Karoli Baba?
Born in a wealthy zamindar family as Lakshmi Narayan Sharma, Neem Karoli Baba, left his home at the age of 12 and returned after a gap of 10-12 years.
After spending days in temple services and Sadhanas in Rajasthan, Rajkot, and Morbi District of Gujarat, he reached the Neeb Karori village in the Farrukhabad district.
The villagers respected him for his divine speech and for how his words always came true. They built an underground cave and later another, as an extension of the first. He then built a Hanuman Temple at the top of this cave, and he used to remain immersed in his Sadhana throughout the day.
After the new cave was built, he began living with the villagers as one of their own. However, he continued to show his divine tricks while playing hide and seek with little kids or swimming in the pond.
He has also been associated with stories such as being present at two places at the same time and putting his devotees into a state of god consciousness with a single touch.
Nevertheless, from his days in the Neeb Karori village, he became known as Neem Karoli or Neem Karori Baba. Devotees believe that Neem Karoli Baba was Lord Hanuman himself, born as a human.
The Famous Encounter Of Ram Dass And Neem Karoli Baba
“The next message you need is always right where you are.”
– Ram Dass, Author, Spiritual Leader, Psychologist, and Harvard Professor.
I learned about the association of Ram Dass from a video of another renowned mystic, Sadguru. He said that the best thing Ram Dass did was getting associated with Neem Karoli Baba.
Now, when Ram Dass visited Neem Karoli Baba, he was a Harvard Professor and an expert psychologist in mental health issues and how LSDs and other drugs help in these situations.
Maharaj Ji said that these drugs and all are of no use in treating depression, and Ram Dass gave him the pills with strong LSDs, and only a small portion of those pills are used for treating depression.
However, Baba Neem Karoli popped two pills and remained unaffected. This is one of the most miraculous incidents or stories around him.
How I Felt At Neem Karoli Baba Mandir, Kainchi?
The name Kainchi Dham comes from the hand gesture Baba Neem Karoli or Maharaj Ji used to make. His hand movements used to resemble scissors or Kainchi in Hindi.
It was like cutting all the confusion and obstacles from the lives of the devotees.
I also felt the same at Kainchi Dham.
It was 2015, and everything was at a standstill for me. Also, there was a lot of confusion in my head. I heard about Kainchi Dham from my friend and decided to visit it.
I visited Kainchi Dham, and the first feelings were of comfort and spiritual bliss as I approached the temple. However, the magic happened when I visited the cave where Baba used to meditate. It was around 5 km away from the Kainchi Dham. Very few people know about this cave. So, it remains mostly vacant.
I entered the cave and sat there. I felt a different kind of energy and suddenly started feeling warm. And there was a faint whisper, I am not sure whether it’s my conscience or the source of the voice!
“Trust in the path you’re on, and don’t be afraid of the unknown. Everything will unfold as it should.”
It was one moment, and it cut off all the anxiety and confusion. I knew what I had to do to move forward in my life, and I got a new sense of purpose.
Not drawing parallels here. However, 2015 was also the year when Mark Zuckerbag visited the Kainchi Dham ashram. He was facing some issues with his company at the same time.
All the problems got resolved after his visit to the Ashram. So, Kainchi Dham makes us believe in the power of miracles made possible by love and compassion.
What Is The History Of The Neem Karoli Baba Temple? Why Is Baba Neem Karoli Mandir Famous?
Maharaj Ji started building his first temple in the early 1950s. He named it Hanumangarh and built it on the Manora hillside.
The famous Kainchi Dham and Hanuman Mandir were built in 1964. Over the next two decades, multiple ashrams and temples were built. The devotees of Neem Karoli Baba also visit the following places.
- Kakrighat
- Kanpur
- Lucknow
- Shimla
- Delhi
All these ashrams were special, not because of the spiritual fervor alone. As a woman, I had a special feeling because Maharaj Ji took note of the limitations faced by the women of India. He made special facilities available for them in the Ashram. So, the thought of “Sab Ek” is also reflected in his socially aware and inclusive activities.
No wonder that many women found their Guri, son, brother, and father in Maharaj Ji.
Furthermore, the visitors are fed, and they can carry Prasad home. The ascetics visiting the ashrams get blankets and food. All the acts here are an extension of Baba’s speech, “If you do not empty the stock, how can it be replenished?”
Baba Neem Karoli’s ashrams and temples also teach us how you can be on the path of spirituality despite being a householder. He played the role of a saint and a householder simultaneously. In his role as a householder, he had a daughter and two sons.
Where Is Neem Karoli Baba Mandir Located?
You can visit these temples and ashrams of Neem Karoli Baba.
1. Hanuman Ghadi
The Hanuman Ghadi temple was the first one to be established by Neem Karoli Baba in 1951, and the consecration of the Hanuman statue was done in 1952.
Located at the top of a ridge, this temple offers wonderful views of Nainital City and Naini Lake. It is just 2 km away from Nainital.
2. Neem Karoli Baba Ashram Kainchi Ashram
Neem Karoli Baba Mandir Nainital is actually located in Kainchi, a place around 38 km away from Nainital. The Bhandara on 15th June is the major festival here, and lakhs of devotees visit the temple around this season.
Nestled in the Kumaon Hills, the Ashram and temple look beautiful with gardens. It has an ashram where I stayed. It cost me INR 200 per day.
However, accommodations are limited. So, you have to make prior arrangements.
3. Delhi Ashram
The Delhi Ashram has two schools and a hospital. It feeds the school children every day, and it has the second biggest Annapoorna Mandir in India.
The ashram also has a large dairy or Gaushala, which was inaugurated in 2001.
4. Paniki Hanuman Temple
Paniki Hanuman Temple was inaugurated in 1964, and this small temple is located near the Paniki Railway Station on the outskirts of Kanpur.
There is a story that Maharaj Ji fed the whole city of Kanpur at the Bhandara of the inauguration ceremony.
After the Bhandara at the Vrindavan temple, a Mahasamadhi Bhandara is held here. This temple does not have any accommodation.
5. Rishikesh Ashram
Located in the south of Rishikesh, the Rishikesh Ashram stands out with its 45-foot Hanuman Murti greeting the visitors. You will get to see the Hanuman idol while entering Rishikesh from Haridwar.
The highlight of the temple is the library, where you will find resources on spiritual knowledge. The temple has morning and evening artis.
Furthermore, there are some weekly events in this ashram.
- Sundarkand: Tuesdays at 4 PM
- Hanuman Chalisa: Tuesday Morning to Wednesday Morning
- Bajrang Baan: Saturdays from Morning to Evening
6. Neem Karoli Baba Temple Vrindavan
The Neem Karoli Baba Temple in Vrindavan is another example of how Maharaj Ji believed in oneness. When the temple here was completed, he chose Bhavani Singh, a non-Brahmin, to be the priest here.
He even called in a pundit to teach the boy about the rituals of puja, and he asked Bhavani Singh to buy Tulsi beads and a sacred thread from the market.
Today, the Vrindavan Ashram, along with the Hanuman Ji temple, also has a Gaushala, the Vrindavaneshwari Maa Temple, a Gaushala, Yagyashala and Mahadev Temple, Kirtan Hall, Ram Darbar Temple, and the Maha Samadhi Mandir of Neem Karoli Maharaj.
7. Shree Hanuman Mandir, Bhumiyadhar
Bhumiyadhar Ashram in the Kumaon Hills is located near Kainchi Dham. This temple is located in the locality of Harijans (lower Hindu caste), and it is said that he chose this place for building the temple for the welfare of the local people.
The Hanumanji temple here was built, and an idol of Hanuman Ji was brought here in 1965.
8. Shree Kakrighat Dham
Kakrighat Dham Ashram is located around 22 km away from Kainchi Dham. The place was associated with the Himalayan Monk, Shri Somvaree Maharaj.
Shri Siddhi Ma, the direct disciple of Neem Karoli Baba, decided to restore the old Shiva temple here and the site where Shri Somvaree Maharaj used to worship.
Further, the Hanuman Temple built here rekindled the memory of Shri Somvaree Maharaj.
9. Taos Hanuman Temple
Nestled in the Sangre de Christo (Blood of Christ) Range of the Rocky Mountains, the Taos Hanuman Temple is a popular Hindu pilgrimage center.
This ashram is a popular Satsang or gathering place for the devotees of Neem Karoli Baba in the USA.
Neem Karoli Baba Mandir Address & Map
Have a look at the table below to find out the Neem Karoli Baba temple addresses and maps.
| Neem Karoli Baba Temples/Ashrams | Address | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Hanuman Ghadi | Hanuman Garhi, Nainital, Smanora Range, Uttarakhand 263001 | Map Link |
| Neem Karoli Baba Ashram Kainchi Ashram | Shree Kainchi Dham, Kainchi Village, Bhowali, Nainital, Uttarakhand – 263132 | Map Link |
| Delhi Ashram | Mandi Rd, Bhim Basti, Juanapur, New Delhi, Delhi 110047 | Map Link |
| Paniki Hanuman Temple | 22a, Panki Mandir, Panki, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208020 | Map Link |
| Rishikesh Ashram | Malviya Nagar, Virbhadra, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249202 | Map Link |
| Neem Karoli Baba Temple Vrindavan | Baba Neem Karori Marg, Atalla Chungi Rd, Gaushala Nagar, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh 281121 | Map Link |
| Shree Hanuman Mandir, Bhumiyadhar | Smanora Range, Uttarakhand 263132 | Map Link |
| Shree Kakrighat Dham | Bir Gaon, Mansar Shitlakhet Road, Dharanaula-263601, Almora, Uttarakhand | Map Link |
| Tao Hanuman Temple | 416 Geronimo Ln, Taos, NM 87571, USA | Map Link |
How Can I Do A Pilgrimage Tour Of Neem Karoli Baba Ashrams?
The mode of transport, travel duration, and cost will depend on the Karoli Baba Ashram or Mandir you will visit.
I visited the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in Kainchi. Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to this temple, and it is located at a distance of 38 km. I took the Ranikhet Express from Delhi to Kathgodam, and the travel time was around 6 hours.
I took a shared cab from Kathgodam Railway Station to Kainchi Dham.
However, you can also take a flight to the Pantnagar Airport, located at a distance of 70 km, and travel the remaining distance by road.
In addition, from Delhi, Kainchi Dham is a 6-7-hour journey by road.
Also, if you are in Kainchi Dham, Nainital, you can explore the nearby temples and ashrams of Neem Karoli Baba located in Uttarakhand.
- Kainchi Dham to Hanuman Ghadi Distance: 20 Km
- Rishikesh Ashram to Kainchi Dham Distance: 275 Km
- Shree Hanuman Mandir, Bhumiyadhar to Kainchi Dham Distance: 11.6 Km
- Shree Kakrighat Dham to Kainchi Dham Distance: 20 Km
What Are The Opening Hours Of Neem Karoli Baba Temple / Ashram?
The Kainchi Dham Temple remains open from 6 AM to 7 PM in the summer months. In the winter months, the temple is open from 7 AM to 7 PM.
What Festivals Or Celebrations Are Held At Neem Karoli Baba Temple?
15th June, or the Pratistha Diwas (Foundation Day), is the biggest festival at Kainchi Dham. Other festivals at Neem Karoli Baba temples and ashrams include the following.
- Shivratri in February/March
- Hanuman Jayanti In April
- Navaratri in September/October
- Guru Purnima in July
- Maharaj-ji’s Mahasamadhi Bhandara in September
What Is The Best Time To Visit Neem Karoli Baba Mandir?
March to June is the best time to visit Neem Karoli Baba Mandir (Kainchi Dham) because of pleasant weather conditions, the Hanuman Jayanti and foundation day celebrations, and Bhandara.
September to November is another great season to visit any Neem Karoli Baba Temple or Ashram, and September is the month of the samadhi of Maharaj Ji.
Are There Any Entry Fees For The Neem Karoli Baba Temple/Ashram?
There are no entry fees for visiting the Neem Karoli Baba Temple or Ashram. However, you have to be respectful while visiting the temple and follow the norms.
Also, a pujari at the temple said that, like the Char Dham Yatra, there will be a registration system for the Kainchi Dham visits. However, the registration system is not implemented yet.
What Is The Miraculous Story Of Neem Karoli Baba?
There are many miraculous stories of Neem Karoli Baba. However, my favorite story is the one behind the tradition of offering blankets to Maharaj Ji.
Maharajji once reached the house of an elderly couple in Fatehgarh. They offered Baba Ji dinner, a cot, and a blanket to sleep. They slept near the cot of Maharaj Ji.
However, they found that Baba Ji was in discomfort throughout the night. The next morning, he asked the couple to take the blanket and release it into the Ganges without opening it. The blanket became heavy like iron when it fell into the water.
After a month, the couple’s son, a soldier in the British Army who had served in World War II, returned home. All of his comrades were dead in a battle about a month ago, but a single bullet did not hit him.
The couple recalled how Neem Karoli Baba came to their house and was uncomfortable throughout the day. It was his divine intervention that saved their son’s life.
So, today, blankets are offered at Neem Karoli Baba Temple and Ashram to get rid of all the difficulties in life.
Why Is Neem Karoli Baba Called Lord Hanuman Himself?
Maharaj Ji instructed his devotees not to enter the cave when he was meditating or without asking him. However, Gopal, a bird-catcher and an ardent follower, once by mistake entered the cave and saw Maharaj Ji in a meditative state with serpents surrounding him.
Many also say that Maharaj Ji was a few feet above the ground, defying the rule of gravity. Gopal was terrified seeing this form of Maharaj Ji, and he ran outside the cave and fainted. Then, Baba came out and, with his single touch, Gopal regained consciousness.
Since then, it is believed that as Hanuman Ji saved the life of Lakshmana, Babaji saved Gopal’s life.
