Neem Karoli Baba Devotees: From Silicon Valley to the Ashram

Neem Karoli Baba founded Kainchi Dham in Nainital, Uttarakhand in 1964. Kainchi Dham, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is also known as Kainchi Temple, Neem Karoli Dham and Neem Karoli Ashram. This place is known for its peace and spiritual atmosphere. Baba spent a significant part of his life here. It became the center of his teachings and attracted a large number of Indian and Western devotees. Some of the most famous devotees of Neem Karoli Baba include prominent personalities such as Ramdas, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.

His profound wisdom and unconditional love influenced the lives of countless people, inspiring many to dedicate themselves to spiritual service and to carry on his teachings. Neem Karoli Baba’s profound spiritual influence extended far beyond those who met him in person. He inspired many prominent individuals, including prominent figures in technology, entertainment, and sports.

Prominent Disciples (Direct Interaction with Baba)

Popularly known as ‘Maharaj Ji’ among his followers, Neem Karoli Baba is known for his affectionate association with his devotees. Some of his most prominent disciples and people deeply influenced by his teachings are as follows:

Dada Mukerjee (Sudhir Mukerjee): 1958
A former professor at Allahabad University, Dada Mukerjee was one of Maharaj-ji’s closest Indian devotees and a prolific writer about his experiences with Baba, penning books like “By His Grace” and “The Near and the Dear.” His first encounter with Neem Karoli Baba was in the 1950s in Vrindavan. He became the caretaker of Kainchi Ashram, and from July 14, 1958, until Baba’s Mahasamadhi in 1973, Maharaj-ji often resided with Dada Mukerjee and his wife in the “Red House” during winters.
Sri Jivanti Ma: 1962
Another deeply devoted disciple, Sri Jivanti Ma shared a remarkable bond with Siddhi Ma and dedicated her life to selfless service at Kainchi Dham. Her first darshan of Baba occurred at the house of Sri Ram Sah in Nainital. In 1962, Neem Karoli Baba specifically instructed her to live permanently with Siddhi Ma at Kainchi Dham, signifying the depth of their spiritual connection and her enduring commitment to the ashram.
Bhagavan Das: 1965
A spiritual teacher and musician, Bhagavan Das met Neem Karoli Baba in 1965. He played a crucial role in bringing Ram Dass (then Richard Alpert) to Maharaj-ji, facilitating a meeting that would alter the course of Western spirituality.
Ram Dass (Richard Alpert): 1967
A pivotal figure in introducing Maharaj-ji to Western audiences, Ram Dass was initially Dr. Richard Alpert, a professor of clinical psychology at Harvard University. His life underwent a profound transformation after meeting Neem Karoli Baba in India in 1967, guided by Bhagavan Das. This encounter led to his spiritual awakening and the writing of the influential book “Be Here Now,” which became a foundational text for many Western spiritual seekers. (Buy this Amazing book on Amazon)
Krishna Das: 1970
Known as the “Rockstar of Yoga” for his devotional kirtan music, Krishna Das was introduced to Maharaj-ji through Ram Dass. He arrived at Maharaj-ji’s Kainchi Ashram in the early 1970s, deeply immersing himself in the ashram life and teachings.
Larry Brilliant: 1970
A distinguished humanitarian and epidemiologist, Larry Brilliant met Neem Karoli Baba in India around 1970. Inspired by Maharaj-ji’s teachings, he, along with Ram Dass, co-founded the Seva Foundation. Maharaj-ji famously gave him the direct instruction to go to Delhi and assist in the global effort to eradicate smallpox, a mission in which Brilliant played a significant role.
Jai Uttal: 1971
A Grammy-nominated musician celebrated for his devotional music, Jai Uttal’s life was significantly impacted by his meeting with Neem Karoli Baba in 1971. He famously stated that this encounter “turned his life inside out,” leading him further into spiritual practice and devotional music.
Sri Siddhi Ma (Shri Haripriya): 1973
Considered one of Neem Karoli Baba’s most devoted and closest disciples, Sri Siddhi Ma was instrumental in continuing his spiritual work after his Mahasamadhi in 1973. She met Neem Karoli Baba as a young bride during a visit to Nainital. Her association with Baba was profound and long-standing, culminating in her becoming his spiritual successor. After her husband’s passing, she lived permanently at Kainchi Ashram with Jivanti Ma, dedicating her life entirely to Baba’s service.

“Neem Karoli Baba left his devotees on 11 September 1973 in a hospital in Vrindavan, India, but his blessings continue to be bestowed upon his disciples even today. He died after going into a coma due to diabetes.”

Influenced by Baba (Post-Mahasamadhi Visits)

Many of Neem Karoli Baba devotees were fortunate enough to meet him while he was alive, while others who visited his ashrams after his death were also deeply affected by his teachings and the spiritual atmosphere he created. In addition to the direct disciples mentioned in the previous section, several notable celebrities have been influenced by Maharaj Ji’s teachings, including:

Steve Jobs: 1974
The visionary co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs embarked on a journey to India in 1974, seeking spiritual guidance and with the intention of meeting Neem Karoli Baba. Although Maharaj-ji had passed away in September 1973, Jobs still visited Kainchi Dham. He spent time at the ashram and was profoundly influenced by its atmosphere and Baba’s teachings, which were conveyed through his devotees. This experience played a significant role in his personal growth and, upon his return to the USA, Apple’s eventual rise to global prominence.
Mark Zuckerberg: 2008
The founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, visited the Kainchi Dham ashram in 2008. He made this pilgrimage on the recommendation of Steve Jobs himself, during a challenging period for Facebook. Like Jobs, he did not meet Baba in person but sought solace and guidance from the spiritual environment of the ashram, a place sanctified by Baba’s presence and teachings.
Julia Roberts: 2010
The acclaimed Hollywood actress and producer, Julia Roberts, is a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba. While she never physically met Maharaj-ji, who passed away in 1973, her interest in Hinduism and specifically Neem Karoli Baba was sparked by seeing a picture of him. She has publicly spoken about this pivotal moment, particularly around 2010 during the promotion of her movie “Eat, Pray, Love,” highlighting how the image resonated deeply with her.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma: 2022
The celebrated Indian cricketer and actress, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, are ardent followers of Neem Karoli Baba. They have publicly expressed their devotion and visited his ashrams, including a notable visit to the Neem Karoli Baba ashram in Uttarakhand in November 2022, demonstrating their ongoing connection to his spiritual legacy.
Jeffrey Skoll (co-founder of eBay) & Larry Page (co-founder of Google):
These technology pioneers were taken on a “transformational pilgrimage” to the Kainchi Ashram by Larry Brilliant, himself a direct devotee of Neem Karoli Baba. While the specific year of their individual first visits is not as widely publicized as for Jobs or Zuckerberg, these trips would have occurred after Larry Brilliant’s initial association with Baba, likely post-Mahasamadhi, reflecting the continuing influence of Baba’s teachings and the ashram’s spiritual draw on prominent figures in the tech world.

Neem Karoli Baba’s simple teachings of “Love Everyone, Serve Everyone, Remember God, Feed the Hungry, Live Simply” continue to resonate with spiritual seekers worldwide.

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