Neem Karoli Baba was an Indian mystic who left an impressionable mark on prominent individuals around the globe, including Hollywood actress Julia Roberts who converted to Hinduism alongside her family in 2010. Julia credits Neem Karoli Baba as being her source of spiritual guidance.
Lakshman Narayan Sharma, known by his followers as Maharaj Ji, was born into a Brahmin family around 1900. At first a wandering sadhu, later he settled down and married.
He Visited Kainchi Dham
Steve Jobs and Daniel Kottke traveled to India together in search of spiritual enlightenment during the 1970s, and heard of Neem Karoli Baba through the advice of their friend Daniel Kottke. Unfortunately by the time they reached him though, Neem Karoli Baba had passed away; nevertheless his visit left an indelible mark and altered Steve’s life dramatically.
Neem Karoli Baba was revered among his devotees as Maharajji; an ardent worshipper of Hanuman. Born in Akbarpur village of Uttar Pradesh to a wealthy family, Neem Karoli Baba became spiritually inclined from an early age, frequently donning saffron robes as part of his attire and engaging in severe penance. Additionally, he frequently engaged in severe penance and wandered as a wandering sadhu.
He did not offer formal teachings or philosophy; rather he encouraged service to others as the best means of attaining self-realisation. His devotion to God and love for humanity had an immediate and powerful effect on those he met, inspiring countless miracles which were documented and published as books.
Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram is located near a bubbling brook and encased by towering pine-forested mountains, boasting five shrines – including one dedicated to Hanuman (whom the saint sees himself as embodying). Aside from these, there’s also a small white building where Neem once resided known as “White House”.
He Became a Devotee
Many notable figures from both technology and Hollywood are followers of Neem Karoli Baba. Notable followers include Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg who both visited his ashram in Kainchi to learn from him about spiritual living.
Neem Karoli Baba, known by his disciples as Maharajji, was a Hindu guru and Hanuman devotee. An expert in bhakti yoga, he believed service to others was one of the highest forms of devotion towards God. Born Lakshman Narayan Sharma around 1900 in Akbarpur village in Firozabad district in Uttar Pradesh he left home at age 11 in order to become a wandering sadhu before eventually returning upon request from his father.
Ram Dass and Bhagavan Das became his spiritual guides while traveling through India during the 1960s and 1970s, becoming popular figures such as Ram Dass and Bhagavan Das. Additionally, his teachings became immensely popular within American Hinduism as an influential figure whose influence extended well beyond India itself. His influence can still be felt today through music like Jai Uttal and Krishna Das. He remains an influential figure today within American Hinduism.
He attracted hundreds of disciples worldwide, such as celebrities, businesspeople and athletes from different fields. He adhered strictly to Hanuman’s principles of seva – selfless service – and built several temples dedicated to him across North India.
He Traveled to Kainchi Dham
Steve Jobs was known for being an ardent adherent to Hinduism, yet not everyone knew that he advised Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to visit Kainchi dham’s quaint ashram and temple upon advice from Steve. According to reports, Mark did visit this temple in 2015 with Steve’s recommendation.
Neem Karoli Baba established his small ashram near a bubbling brook and pine-forested mountains in Kerala, consisting of five shrines including one dedicated to Neem Karoli Baba’s favorite God Hanuman; some followers believe that Baba himself may have been an embodiment of Hanuman himself.
Zuckerberg arrived at the ashram with only a book and was so taken with the place that he extended his day-long stay by two. The teachings of their guru focused on loving all, feeding all and serving everyone and have inspired many disciples of his.
Kainchi Dham attracts American tech entrepreneurs and co-founders like Facebook’s Larry Page regularly. Established by Hanuman devotee Laxmi Narayan Sharma (popularly known as Neem Karoli Baba), the ashram was founded in 1962.
Hollywood actress Julia Roberts converted to Hinduism after visiting this temple in 2009, having been heavily impacted by its teachings.
He Became a Disciple
Neem Karoli Baba attracted devotees from all around the world during his lifetime. Many stayed at his ashram and became disciples. His teachings focused on ahimsa, selflessness and practicing bhakti yoga; additionally he encouraged his followers to serve others.
He was famous for performing various miracles, and one of his most well-known ones involved a train. He traveled unticketed in first class and quietly sat with hands crossed across his lap until an official from the railway came and apologized to him, before continuing the ride forward.
Neem Karoli Baba constructed 108 temples dedicated to Hanuman during his lifetime and taught ahimsa, selflessness, Bhakti yoga practice and attainment of enlightenment as his core beliefs. He attained Mahasamadhi in 1973 and remains revered in India and around the world – even Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts has come under his influence and adopted Hinduism with her family after being heavily influenced by him!
Neem Karoli Baba was born Lakshman Narayan Sharma in Akbarpur, Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh around 1900. Although his parents wanted him to marry at 11 as per their wishes, he eventually chose instead to become a wandering sadhu and was often referred to by his devotees as Maharaj Ji.