Credit: CHIRAG PATEL
Neem Karoli Baba is widely recognized for his teachings all over the world. His renowned ashram, known as Kainchi Dham, is located near the picturesque city of Nanital, Uttarakhand, India. Kainchi Dham is located at a distance of 17 km from Nanital on the Nanital- Almora road.
Neem Karoli Baba Ashram was established in the early 1970s for the devotees of Neem Karoli Baba. The popularity of the ashram can be measured in that his teachings were followed by many famous celebrities across the world. Mark Zuckerberg, Julia Roberts, and Steve Jobs visited the ashram to express their admiration for Neem Karoli Baba.
History of Kainchi Dham
Located at an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by a beautiful Himalayan range.
The history of the ashram dates back to 1962 when Neem Karoli Baba visited Kainchi village. He was instructed by two spiritual gurus, Sadhu Premi Baba and Sombari Maharaj, who performed yagyas. To honor this, he built a platform around that place. Later, Hanuman Temple was also built over that platform, which completes the Kainchi Ashram of today. Neem Karoli Baba, himself inaugurated the temple on June 15, 1964, which has an idol of Lord Hanuman.
Neem Karoli Baba was a respected spiritual leader when he passed away on 10 Sep, 1973. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, love, and spirituality.
To commemorate all this, a temple with his statue was inaugurated on June 15, 1976.
Newm Karoli Baba has many disciples who were deeply influenced by his teaching and unconditional love. They went on to spread his teachings and philosophy, which touched the lives of many people.
Maya Jaya, also known as Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, founded the Kashi Ashram in Florida, USA. She was deeply influenced by Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings.
Ram Das, also known as Richard Albert, went on to become a spiritual author who wrote many books on spirituality and personal growth. He was a psychologist and writer who was a part of Harvard’s psychedelic club in the 1960s.
Bhagavan Das, a teacher and renowned performer, is known for his kirtans. He spent several years with Neem Karoli Baba in India. Neem Karoli Baba has had a deep influence on his life and music.
Lama Surya Das is a Buddhist teacher who was introduced to Neem Karoli Baba by Ram Das. He was deeply influenced by Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings and went on to become a respected teacher and author in his own right.
Jai Uttal and Krishna Das, have popularised kirtan and devotional music in the West. They both are disciples of Neem Karoli Baba and are influenced by his teachings and philosophy.
How to Reach Kainchi Dham
By Car:
Start by driving to Nainital, which is the nearest major city to Kainchi Dham.
From Nainital, take the NH109 road towards Almora.
After driving for approximately 9 kilometers, you will reach a small village called Kainchi.
Kainchi Dham is located in this village and can be easily accessed by car.
By Train:
Board a train to Kathgodam Railway Station, which is the nearest railway station to Kainchi Dham.
From Kathgodam, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to reach Kainchi Dham, which is around 38 kilometers away.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Kainchi Dham is Pantnagar Airport, located approximately 108 kilometers away.
From Pantnagar Airport, you can hire a taxi or take a pre-booked cab to reach Kainchi Dham.
The journey from the airport to Kainchi Dham takes around 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic conditions.