Neem Karoli Baba: Saint who loves, serves and feeds everyone

Neem Karoli Baba, known as Maharaj Ji to his countless devotees around the world, was a revered spiritual guru from India. He neither wrote any books nor delivered any great speeches, but his life was a living example of love, service and devotion to God. He lived his life as a pure devotee of Lord Hanuman and demonstrated his love for Hanuman Ji in many ways throughout his life.

From Hollywood celebrities like Julia Roberts to tech visionaries like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, his influence extended far beyond the ashram he founded in the serene foothills of the Himalayas.

This article highlights the life, teachings and lasting legacy of Neem Karoli Baba, and how his simple philosophy of “love all, serve all, feed all, remember God” continues to inspire seekers today on their journey toward inner peace and divine connection.

Table of Content

1. Full Name and Background
2. Where to Connect
3. Miracles: Beyond Explanation
4. Official Website
5. Teachings and Lessons
6. Mahasamadhi of Baba
7. Temples and Maharaj-ji

His Full Name and Background

Neem Karoli Baba’s birth name was Laxmi Narayan Sharma. Maharaj Ji was born around the year 1900 in a small village called Akbarpur in Uttar Pradesh, India. He had a deep spiritual inclination since his childhood. In 1958, he left his home and wandered as a sadhu and performed rigorous spiritual practices.
He was also known by many other names throughout his life, including Lakshman Das, Handi Wala Baba, Tikonia Wala Baba, Talaiya Baba, and Chamatkari Baba, after which he became famous as Neem Karoli Baba or Maharaj Ji.

Where to Connect

While Maharaj-ji travelled widely across India, two locations are especially famous and hold deep significance for his devotees:

• Kainchi Dham, Uttarakhand: This ashram, nestled in the beautiful Kumaon hills near Nainital, is perhaps the most well-known place associated with Maharaj-ji. He established this ashram, and it became a magnet for spiritual seekers from both India and the West.
• Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh: This holy town, sacred to Lord Krishna, is another very important place. Maharaj-ji spent a lot of time here, and it is also where he left his body.

Miracles of Neem Karoli Baba

Many devotees tell of the countless miracles associated with Neem Karoli Baba. These miracles were not demonstrations of his power, but expressions of his infinite love and compassion. Many people have found relief from their troubles through his grace in difficult circumstances, and many have had profound spiritual experiences in their lives. These miracles often occurred in simple, restrained ways, causing a deep sense of wonder and gratitude in devotees. Yet he would often say, “It is all God’s grace.”

His life was woven with countless miracles, yet he always turned the focus away from himself and insisted that the true miracle lies in the love that unites all beings. Perhaps this feeling of his keeps millions of people connected to him even today.

No Official Website, Just Love

There is no official website for Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Dham, but there are many websites and online resources available for information related to Kainchi Dham. You can get information about Kainchi Dham and book accommodation on the website of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), controlled by the Uttarakhand government, www.kmvn.in. Neem Karoli Baba did not believe in any “official website” or formal organization during his lifetime.

Teachings and Lessons

His teachings were simple: “Love everyone, serve everyone, feed everyone and remember God.” His ashram and the satsangs (spiritual gatherings) of his devotees carry forward his legacy. Information about his life and teachings is shared through books written by his devotees, such as “Miracle of Love” written by Ram Dass.

Mahasamadhi: Returning to the Divine

Neem Karoli Baba attained Mahasamadhi (a saint’s conscious departure from his physical body) on September 11, 1973, in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. He died at a hospital in Vrindavan at around 1:15 p.m. after experiencing health problems. His last words, repeated several times, were “Jai Jagdish Hare” (“Hail the Lord of the Universe”).

He chose Vrindavan, the holy city associated with Lord Krishna, as the place of his final spiritual departure. A beautiful samadhi mandir (shrine) has been built at the Vrindavan ashram, where devotees can come and pay their homage to him and experience his presence.

This ashram is a very important pilgrimage site for his devotees. To commemorate this event, every year, usually in the month of September, a “Mahasamadhi Bhandara” (a large feast and gathering) is held in Vrindavan, which is attended by thousands of devotees from all over the world.

Temples: Homes for Hanumanji

Being a great devotee of Lord Hanuman, Neem Karoli Baba inspired and helped establish many temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman across India. Some of the prominent ones include:

• Kainchi Dham, Uttarakhand: This ashram has a beautiful Hanuman temple.
• Vrindavan Ashram, Uttar Pradesh: There is a significant Hanuman temple here.
• Neeb Karori Hanuman Temple, Uttar Pradesh: This temple is built on the site of his own spiritual practice.
• Babania Hanuman Temple, Gujarat: This is notable as it was the first Hanuman idol personally installed by Maharaj-ji.
• Lucknow Ashram (Hanuman Setu Mandir), Uttar Pradesh: A very popular Hanuman temple in Lucknow.

Through these temples and the hearts of his devotees, Neem Karoli Baba’s spirit of unconditional love and devotion continues to inspire and bless countless lives.

In the history of modern spirituality, very few people shine like Neem Karoli Baba. His life was a testimony to the profound power of unconditional love, selfless service and unwavering devotion. Although he never claimed any spiritual authority, Maharaj Ji’s simple presence and profound wisdom touched the hearts of millions, transcending cultural and religious boundaries.

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