Kainchi Dham

Uttarakhand , Nainital, Dehradun

Located within valley in the Kumoan Hills in Uttarakand, Kainchi Dham is a famous mountain ashram dedicated to Baba Neem Karoli. The ashram also houses a Temple for Lord Hanuman. Baba Neem Karoli is considered as the avatar of Lord Hanuman. The first temple of Lord Hanuman was inaugurated in June 15, 1964. After the death of Maharajji on September 10, 1973, a temple for him was subsequently built at the Ashram. His statue was consecrated on June 15, 1976. A lot of celebrities visit the Ashram. Spiritual leaders Ma Jaya, Ram Dass, musicians Jai Uttal and Krishna Das, humanitarian Larry Brilliant, scholar and writer Yvette Rosser and Daniel Goleman are among his devotees. Apple founder Steve Jobs visited the Ashram to meet Neem Karoli Baba with his friend Dan Kottke. However, he could not meet Baba who had died before his arrival. Hollywood actress Julia Roberts was also influenced by Neem Karoli Baba. It was Steve Jobs who advised Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to visit the Kainchi Dham.

Legend

According to the legends, in 1962, Maharajji (Baba Neem Karoli) went to Kainchi village to meet Shri Poornanand. They discussed about the place around. Maharajji wanted to see the place where two spiritual gurus, Sadhu Premi Baba and Sombari Maharaj had lived and performed Yagyas. The forest was cleared and Maharajji built a Chabootara (rectangular platform) covering the Yagyashala. Maharajji contacted the then "conservator of forests" and took possession of the requisite land on lease. The Hanuman temple was later built over the platform thus establishing the Kainchi Ashram. After the death of Maharajji on September 10, 1973, a temple for him was subsequently built at the Ashram. His statue was consecrated on June 15, 1976.

Architecture

The ashram has a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and a prayer hall in the memory of Baba Neem Karoli.The complex also include a temple dedicated to Baba Neem Karoli. The small but very impressive ashram is built on the banks of the river Kosi.

Picture Courtesy: www.panoramio.com

Darsan Info

The temple is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. However, the ashram is closed for a large portion of the year as it becomes very cold there. People who wants to visit the Ashram in Kainchi village needs to request prior permission. One can stay at the ashram for three days after a reference from one of the older devotees.

Darsan Dresscode

There is no specific dress code.

Culture

Referred as the Devbhumui (Land of the Gods), Uttarakhand is known for its natural beauty of the Himalayas, the Bhabar and the Terai. The culture of Uttarakhand shows a distinctive pattern, with the elements from each of the ethnic groups and sub-groups that resides in this place. Many of Hinduism's most important shrines lie within Uttarakhand, tucked away in the mountains and along the rivers of the state.