Updated: 20-04-2025
What if it’s not personal success but the wisdom of a not-so-well-known Indian saint that can make us happy?
Neem Karoli Baba’s unassuming yet wise and powerful words have not only touched but deeply influenced those who are looking for the real meaning of their existence.
To know the miracles of Neem Karoli Baba, these 23 points about Neem Karoli Baba’s History inspire you
This write-up leads its readers through the life of Neem Karoli Baba and his enlightening words that have brought them newfound happiness and fulfilment, and the conveyance of such emotional content can lead them to spiritual freedom.
Be ready to get exposed to profound teachings that are still relevant in our contemporary world.
Neem Karoli Baba’s History in 23 points
- Birth Name & Early Life: Neem Karoli Baba, popularly known as Maharaj-ji among his followers, was born Lakshmi Narayan Sharma around 1900 in the village of Akbarpur, Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India, into a Brahmin family (exact date unknown).
- Early Marriage & Renunciation: He was married off by his parents at the age of 11, but shortly after, he left home and lived the life of a holy man, a sadhu.
- Return to Family Life: At his father’s request, later on, He came back to live at his place, got married, and had two sons and a daughter.
- Second Renunciation: Eventually, despite the fact that he was in full compliance with his family duties, his spirituality was too strong, and around 1958, he left the family for the second time.
- Known by Many Names: In the course of his life and sojourns in the north of India, the renounced one was called by many names such as Lakshman Das, Handi Wallah Baba, Tikonia Walla Baba and, Neem Karoli Baba.
- The Name “Neem Karoli”: It was at this time that he took to the Neem Karori village in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh to perform austerities (tapasya). The name “Neem Karoli Baba” came into being when Neem Karoli, also known as Nib Karori, who was practised intense systems of austerities (tapasya).
- Devotion to Hanuman: The well-known fact is that Maharaj-ji could not think of anyone else but his beloved Hanuman. That was a very well-known fact, who was called an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god that stands for service, devotion and strength of a person and characterising him nought but selfless service in the Hindu religion. His own words, “Devotion to Hanuman” and some of the locations of the temples named after him reflect his dedication to the god of strength, Hanuman.
- Emphasis on Love & Service: The teaching was encapsulated (actual words): “Love everyone, serve everyone, and remember God” but to make it stronger, he only allowed the two(Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga)”Love everyone, serve everyone, and remember God,” which was the way (Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga)
- Kainchi Dham Ashram: The most celebrated place where he used to stay is the Kainchi Dham, which is located at the top of the Kumaon Hills, near Nainital, Uttarakhand. The temple was there back in 1964 and consecrated to Lord Hanuman. It was the centre of many people’s spiritual lives. This is where the main event of the drama was set, and this is why the temple’s fame spread so much.
- Other Ashrams: In addition to Kainchi Dham, Maharaj-ji set up ashrams and temples in many locations, such as Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Shimla, Bhumiadhar, Hanumangarhi (Nainital), and Delhi in India and Taos, New Mexico, in the United States.
- Kainchi Dham Miracles & Siddhis: Several miraculous happenings (usually denoted by the word leelas) like, for example, the appearance of objects out of thin air, bilocation (the phenomenon of being in two or more places at the same time), the control of climate, and the healing of the people with various diseases have been credited to him. His followers thought of these as mere demonstrations of his divine nature and siddhis (spiritual powers). He, however, did not consider them as such.
- Simple Living: He, despite being lofty in the spiritual sense and holding a great number of followers, led an extremely simple life; he was, for example, always in a chequered blanket and was without any personal belongings.
- Unconditional Love: If there was a trait beyond all of them, that all the people who knew him could not fail to mention it, thus, it was the unconditional love (prem) that he had for them and that went overwhelmingly beyond social class, religion, or country of origin.
- Attracting Western Devotees: During this period, mentioned in the late 1960s and 1970s, his spiritual charisma worked wonders, thereby becoming a linchpin of the spiritual quest for many Occidental truth seekers.
- Ram Dass (Richard Alpert): The well-known psychologist Richard Alpert was probably the most prominent Western practitioner of his teachings, who received the name Ram Dass (meaning “Servant of God”) from Maharaj-ji. Through his book “Be Here Now”, Ram Dass opened a wide door for many in the West who would like to learn of Maharaj-ji.
- Other Notable Visitors: Some other very important men like musicians Jai Uttal and Krishan Das, humanitarian Larry Brilliant (who affirms that it was Maharaj-ji who inspired him to start the eradication of smallpox), psychologist Daniel Goleman, and tech giants Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg (who visited Kainchi Dham many years after Maharaj-ji had passed away, reportedly on Steve Jobs’ request) went to visit Maharaj-ji or his ashrams.
- Source of Power: According to his worshippers, his power came from the fact that he was a real God’s man (Hanuman’s person), his absence of ego, and an image of pure and unconditional love, did the job. By numerous, he was acknowledged as a divine incarnation or a siddha (perfected being).
- Omniscience: Many followers narrated episodes where they felt Maharaj-ji was reading their minds and telling them about the past, present, and future occurrences without warning from others.
- Teachings through Presence: He rarely delivered formal speeches. His knowledge was mainly transmitted by simple contacts with the people, tales, and the atmosphere of love that was created by his presence (darshan).
- Mahasamadhi (Death): Neem Karoli Baba passed away from his body (Mahasamadhi) on September 11, 1973, in a hospital in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, as a result of a diabetic coma. His Mahasamadhi Samadhi is there at the Vrindavan ashram complex.
- Legacy & Continued Influence: Although his physical body left him many years back, still his devotees have experience his presence quite strongly. His teachings never stop speaking to the people through books, kirtan (devotional singing), and the communities that are based on his ashrams.
- Kainchi Dham Today: Presently, Kainchi Dham is a place of spiritual retreat that is always crowded with thousands of pilgrims and celebrating Bhandara(feast) on June 15th, which is especially for the ashram’s dedication day celebrations. The area is well-known for its serene environment and the spiritual force present there.
- How to Reach Kainchi Dham?
Kainchi Dham is about 17 km from Nainital and 9 km from Bhowali on the Nainital-Almora road in Uttarakhand.
- By Air: The closest airport is Pantnagar (PGH), around 70 km away. You can find a taxi stand at the airport.
- By Train: The nearest big railway station is Kathgodam (KGM), which is about 37 km from the place. From Kathgodam/Haldwani, there are frequent buses/taxis to Kainchi Dham via Bhowali.
- By Road: Kainchi Dham is well-connected by road. Nainital, Bhowali, Haldwani, and the other major towns in Uttarakhand are regularly served by buses and taxis.
Author’s Bio :
Ashritha Pendkar
“A passionate writer (more than 10 years of experience in writing ) blending science and spirit, Ashritha Pendkar explores the intersection of research-based spirituality and holistic well-being. Through insightful and grounded writing, she inspires readers to lead more mindful, balanced, and meaningful lives.”