Neem Karoli Baba was a famous Hindu saint known for creating temples and ashrams throughout northern India. A dedicated devotee of Hanuman, many considered him an embodiment of him himself. Additionally, his teachings of Bhakti Yoga (devotion) became legendary.
He became popular among Western hippies who traveled to India during the 1960s and 70s, drawing an increasing number of Western travelers including spiritual teacher Ram Dass, singer Bhagavan Das and meditation teachers Lama Surya Das and Jai Uttal as his disciples.
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Neem Karoli Baba or Maharaj Ji has gained widespread respect among Western celebrities for his teachings that have helped them overcome obstacles and find happiness in life. Many have even converted to Hinduism after finding help through this guru.
Mark Zuckerberg visited Kainchi Dham and met its founder in 2015. He also visited its ashram in Vrindavan and found inspiration in their philosophy of service to others. According to Mark, his visit changed his life and inspired others as well.
Lakshaman Narayan Sharma was a wealthy Brahmin family member until marrying at 14; thereafter, he left home and lived as a sadhu. An adept of Bhakti Yoga who encouraged selfless service for others, he was also an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman; building multiple temples in His honor as well as hosting various Ashrams across India.
He is best known as an inspiration of two high-tech titans, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg; their teachings inspired them to establish Apple and Google respectively. Additionally, his influence can be found among Western gurus such as Ram Dass. Known as an enlightened mystic with only one message of service for others, his teachings remain popular even today.
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Neem Karoli Baba was an Indian guru known by many Americans visiting India during the 1960s and 70s as their spiritual master. A devout devotee of Lord Hanuman, he promoted service to others as a way of worshipping Him, engaging in Bhakti Yoga for life with wide following among his students.
Mark Zuckerberg made a visit to Kainchi Dham ashram at the recommendation of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and was instantly impressed. Later, he pledged his return. Hollywood actress Julia Roberts may also have been inspired by Neem Karoli Baba to convert to Hinduism with her family in 2010.
The Kainchi Dham temple was founded by Neem Karoli Baba’s followers and has become a pilgrimage site both domestically and internationally. Situated in Nainital, Uttarakhand it features a large Hanuman statue at its entrance; many visitors also stop by to spend some time meditating at its ashram.
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Neem Karoli Baba was widely revered among his devotees as “Maharajji,” or as he is commonly known in India, “the father of Bhakti Yoga,” emphasizing service as the ultimate expression of unconditional devotion. Although he passed away in 1973, his teachings continue to inspire highprofile Americans such as Mark Zuckerberg, Apple founder Steve Jobs, and actress Julia Roberts despite his passing.
Neem Karoli Baba had an uncanny ability to reach hearts through simple stories with powerful values. Known for being a great healer and spiritual leader, this saint had several ashrams across India including Kainchi, Vrindavan, Rishikesh Shimla Farrukhabad Bhumiadhar
Neem Karoli Baba was born Lakshaman Narayan Sharma and at 14 years old decided to abandon his well-off family and travel around India as an ascetic sadhu, leading many pilgrimages throughout India and encouraging selfless service by founding Kainchi Dham Ashram in Nainital.
The Haldwani-Almora Road Ashram stands at an elevation of around 1400 meters above sea level and features the Kainchi Dham temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Visitors who visit can feel its power through Neem Karoli Baba.
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Neem Karoli Baba is known to his followers as Maharajji; he is a Hindu guru and devotee of Lord Hanuman. In addition to being a revered spiritual leader in India, his ashrams in America have attracted many highprofile Americans such as Ram Dass, Bhagavan Das, musician Jai Uttal and Krishna Das. Additionally he owns temples across several locations such as Lucknow as well as an ashram in Texas, USA.
The guru, thought to be an incarnation of Hanuman, became famous outside India due to his spiritual guidance for Western visitors who came to India during the 1960s and 70s. George Harrison of The Beatles as well as spiritual teacher Ram Dass were major disciples under this guidance and revered for their teachings of loving-kindness and renunciation.
Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, recently visited Neem Karoli Baba’s ashrams in Uttarakhand and found them inspiring, saying they will make the world a better place. Additionally, they learned more compassionate ways of living thanks to Neem Karoli Baba and have promised to return soon after having their daughter. His wife Sheryl Sandberg found these ashrams particularly meaningful as well and has promised to visit again after giving birth.