Kainchi Dham is a Hanuman temple and ashram located in the Bhowali region of Nainital district in Uttarakhand. It was established by the renowned saint Shri Neem Karoli Baba in the 1960s and has since attracted devotees and seekers from all over the world. The name Kainchi Dham comes from the two sharp hairpin bends on the road that leads to the ashram.
History and Significance
Kainchi Dham was founded by Shri Neem Karoli Baba, a great saint, and devotee of Hanuman Ji. He was born in 1900 in Akbarpur, Uttar Pradesh, and left his home at an early age to wander in search of God. He met many saints and sages and learned from them. He also performed many miracles and healed many people. He had a simple and loving personality and taught his followers to love everyone, serve everyone, and remember God.
Neem Karoli Baba came to Kainchi Dham in 1962 and was impressed by the natural beauty of the place. He decided to build a temple and an ashram there for his devotees. He inaugurated the temple on June 15, 1964, and named it Hanuman Mandir. He also built a samadhi (tomb) for himself near the temple, where he left his body on September 10, 1973.
To know more about Neem Karoli Baba’s biography, teachings, miracles, disciples, and legacy, you can visit this page.
Kainchi Dham is considered to be a sacred place where Neem Karoli Baba’s spirit still resides. Many people have reported feeling his presence and grace there. The temple and the ashram are also dedicated to Hanuman Ji, the monkey god who represents devotion, strength, courage, and service. Hanuman Ji is believed to protect and bless the devotees who visit Kainchi Dham. The place is also a symbol of harmony and unity, as people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds come together to worship and serve there.
Inspired Visitors at kainchi dham
Kainchi Dham is known for its serene and powerful atmosphere, where one can feel the presence and blessings of Hanuman Ji and Neem Karoli Baba. Many famous personalities have visited the ashram and experienced its spiritual influence. Some of them are:
- Steve Jobs: The co-founder and former CEO of Apple visited Kainchi Dham in the 1970s and meditated there for some time. He was inspired by Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings and credited him for his success.
- Mark Zuckerberg: The co-founder and CEO of Facebook also visited Kainchi Dham in 2008, following Steve Jobs’ advice. He said that the ashram helped him reconnect with his vision and mission.
- Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma: The famous Indian cricketer and actress couple visited Kainchi Dham in Nov 2022 and offered prayers at the temple. They also met some of the ashram’s residents and interacted with them.
To learn more about how Neem Karoli Baba inspired Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Julia Roberts, and other famous personalities, you can read this article.
Festivals and Activities
Kainchi Dham celebrates various festivals throughout the year, such as Hanuman Jayanti, Guru Purnima, Janmashtami, Navratri, Diwali, etc. The most important festival is the annual Bhandara (feast) on June 15th, which marks the inauguration day of the ashram. Thousands of people visit the ashram on this day and enjoy the free food and prasad distributed by the ashram.
Apart from festivals, visitors can also participate in various activities at Kainchi Dham, such as:
- Darshan: The ashram has a main temple where one can have a darshan (viewing) of Hanuman Ji’s statues and Neem Karoli Baba’s samadhi (tomb). There are also other smaller temples dedicated to other deities such as Shiva, Durga, Ganesha, etc.
- Meditation: The ashram has a meditation hall where one can sit quietly and meditate in the presence of Neem Karoli Baba’s photos and Hanuman Ji’s idols.
- Satsang: The ashram organizes regular Satsangs (spiritual gatherings) where devotees sing bhajans (devotional songs), chant mantras (sacred sounds), listen to stories and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and other saints, etc.
- Seva: The ashram runs on the principle of seva (service), where everyone contributes to the maintenance and functioning of the ashram. Visitors can volunteer to help with various tasks such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc.
To read more about some of the miracles performed by Neem Karoli Baba, such as healing the sick, manifesting objects, reading minds, and appearing in multiple places at once, you can visit this page.
How to Reach Kainchi Dham
Kainchi Dham is easily accessible by road from Nainital, which is about 18 km away. One can take a taxi or a bus from Nainital to Almora and get down at Kainchi Dham. The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, which is 37 km away from the ashram. The nearest airport is Pantnagar, which is 71 km away from the ashram.
If you are visiting Kainchi Dham from Nainital, you can also check out the public health garden that has recently opened there. It has around 270 medicinal plants that can benefit your health and well-being. You can read more about it here.
Conclusion
Kainchi Dham is a place where one can experience peace, joy, love, and devotion. It is a place where one can connect with oneself, with nature, and with God. It is a place where one can find inspiration, guidance, and grace. It is a place where one can feel at home.
If you are looking for a spiritual sojourn in the Himalayas, Kainchi Dham is a destination you should not miss.