About Maharaj ji
Shri Maharaj ji
Neeb Karori Baba
Where the Soul Finds Its Eternal Guide
Since ancient times, India has been the sacred land of sages and saints. From time immemorial to the present day, our country has been blessed with the presence of great spiritual masters who have illuminated the path of righteousness and spirituality for humanity. These enlightened beings renounced personal comforts to uplift society and guide individuals towards a higher purpose with positivity and divine wisdom.
Among such revered saints was Baba Neem Karoli Ji Maharaj, a true devotee of Lord Hanuman and a divine soul who transformed countless lives. His mere presence infused people with hope, healing, and spiritual energy. Even after attaining Mahasamadhi in 1973, Baba Neem Karoli Ji’s divine presence continues to be felt by devotees across the globe. His life was filled with miracles—both during his physical existence and beyond.
Maharaj Ji established numerous temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman across India and abroad. He was considered an incarnation of Lord Hanuman himself in this age of Kali Yuga. Despite being a Siddha Purusha (realized being), he never revealed his divine identity, choosing instead to live a life of humility and silent service.
Born in the early 1900s in Akbarpur village, District Shikohabad, Uttar Pradesh, Baba Neem Karoli Ji’s mission was to spread Hanuman devotion and inspire spiritual awakening throughout the world. Today, the reverence for Lord Hanuman and Baba Neem Karoli Ji continues to grow globally, with temples and idols being established in various countries.
Inspired by the deep devotion of his followers and their desire for a serene space for spiritual practice, a vision has emerged: to create a divine spiritual retreat nestled in the lap of nature. This retreat will serve as a place for long-term spiritual stay and inner transformation.
With this vision in mind, a sacred project is being initiated in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, within the divine Kumarika Van, an ancient forest blessed by sages. Spanning 50 acres, this land will be developed into a powerful spiritual center. The site also falls under the revered Shri Bagulamukhi Tara Siddha Peeth, adding to its sanctity.
This initiative aims to offer devotees a space where they can reconnect with nature, delve deep into spiritual practices, and experience divine grace in a tranquil, sacred environment.
Biography
Early Years
Neem Karoli Baba, born as Lakshman Narayan Sharma around the year 1900, hailed from Akbarpur village in the Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India. He was born into a wealthy Brahmin family.
At the age of 11, he was married by his parents, as was customary. However, he soon left home to live as a wandering sadhu (a spiritual ascetic or hermit). At the request of his father, he eventually returned
Spiritual Journey as Maharaj-ji
Neem Karoli Baba was initially known as Baba Lakshman Das (also spelled “Laxman Das”). In 1958, he renounced his worldly life once again and began wandering through Northern India, engaging in intense spiritual practices and selfless service.
Over time, his spiritual influence grew, and he came to be lovingly called Maharaj-ji by his followers. During his lifetime, two main ashrams were established in his presence:
Kainchi Dham Ashram (established in 1964 near Nainital)
Vrindavan Ashram
Later, over 100 temples and ashrams were established across India in his name, with many dedicated to Lord Hanuman, to whom he was deeply devoted.
Passing and Final Words
Neeb Karori Baba passed away at approximately 1:15 a.m. on 11 September 1973, in a hospital in Vrindavan, India, after slipping into a diabetic coma.
He was returning by night train to Kainchi from Agra, where he had consulted a heart specialist due to chest pain. He and his companions disembarked at Mathura railway station, where he began convulsing. He was immediately taken to a hospital in Vrindavan, where he took his final breath.
His last words, spoken repeatedly, were:
“Jaya Jagadish Hare” (“Hail to the Lord of the Universe”).
After his death, a samadhi (shrine) was built in his memory within the Vrindavan Ashram complex.
Legacy and Foundations
Neem Karoli Baba’s influence extended far beyond India. Among his most well-known Western devotees was Ram Dass (formerly Richard Alpert), who helped introduce Maharaj-ji’s teachings to a global audience.
Upon returning to the United States, Ram Dass and Larry Brilliant co-founded the Seva Foundation, an international health organization based in Berkeley, California.
In the late 2000s, the Love Serve Remember Foundation was created to preserve and share Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings and legacy through books, digital archives, and spiritual events.
What Their Devotees Say
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Unknown Facts About Shri Maharaj Ji
He Lived Under Many Names
Before being widely known as Neem Karoli Baba, he was called Lakshman Das, Handi Baba, Tikonia Baba, and Talaiya Baba in different regions of India due to his travels and simple ways of living.
His Name Originated From a Train Incident
The name “Neem Karori Baba” came from an incident at the Neem Karori village in Uttar Pradesh where he stopped a train simply by sitting on the tracks. When the station master requested forgiveness and restarted the train, it began to move again. He later accepted a small ashram near that station.
He Had a Unique Way of Teaching
Neeb Karori Baba taught through love, silence, humor, and simple stories. He rarely gave sermons. Most of his spiritual transmission happened through presence, gestures, or one-liners.
Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg Visited His Ashram
Inspired by Baba’s teachings, Steve Jobs visited Kainchi Dham Ashram in the 1970s seeking spiritual clarity. Later, Mark Zuckerberg visited the same ashram on Steve Jobs’ advice when Facebook was struggling.