Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, the modest ashrams of a gentle saint have evolved into an improbable destination for the most powerful people on the planet. Even as Silicon Valley titans, Bollywood stars, and cricket legends chase modern triumphs, Baba Neem Karoli’s legacy continues to whisper a quieter path.
Who Was Neem Karoli Baba?
Born Lakshman Narayan Sharma in the early 1900s, his journey to sainthood was unconventional. Married at fourteen, he twice attempted to leave his prosperous family life for renunciation before finally succeeding. The legend states that his spiritual name was born from a fateful train ride in 1958. After being asked to disembark at a small village called Neem Karoli for traveling without a ticket, he adopted the village’s name and established a movement deeply rooted in Hanuman devotion (bhakti). He passed away in Vrindavan on September 11, 1973, but his influence only grew.
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Why Are Global Icons Drawn to Him?
Long before wellness was a global industry, Neem Karoli Baba, affectionately called Maharaj-ji by devotees, attracted seekers with a radical message: the highest form of worship is selfless service, or seva.
Steve Jobs: The Apple co-founder traveled to his Kainchi Dham Ashram in 1973, only to learn the Baba had passed away weeks prior. Jobs later recommended that Mark Zuckerberg visit, and he still attributed the trip with transforming his life.
Mark Zuckerberg: The Facebook CEO made his own pilgrimage in 2015 during a period of severe stress at the company.
Julia Roberts: The actress has spoken publicly about finding an instant sense of calm at his ashram.
His appeal lies in a combination of mischievous humor that dissolved egos and a profound emphasis on humility and service over dogma.
How is His Legacy Alive in India Today?
The Baba’s teachings continue to resonate powerfully within Indian culture, far beyond spiritual circles.
Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma: In early 2024, the cricketing star and his actor wife conducted a quiet retreat at the Vrindavan ashram with their daughter. They meditated in his original hut (kutia) and spent an hour in silence, with local caretakers confirming their families are long-time devotees.
Manoj Bajpayee: The National Award-winning actor revealed a profound connection. Before shooting his film Jugnuma, he and the director met at the Kainchi Dham ashram. “We went to Babaji’s cave. We meditated and some magical things happened… We found the film,” Bajpayee recalled. He credited this visit with pulling him back from the verge of quitting acting entirely.
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Where Can You Find His Ashrams?
The network of ashrams testifies to his global reach:
In India: Dotted across Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Shimla, and Delhi.
In the USA: An ashram in Taos, New Mexico, which, at over 2,000 metres altitude, is one of the highest Hanuman temples in North America.
What is the Core of His Enduring Teaching?
For all the celebrity sightings, the heart of Neem Karoli Baba’s message remains strikingly simple and accessible. Dissolving the ego by everyday practice, devotion, and service is more important than fame or spectacle. His most famous piece of advice is to “Remember God, love everyone, and serve everyone.”
In a world obsessed with the next big thing, the quiet kutias of Neem Karoli Baba offer a timeless space to find a direction you didn’t know you were looking for.
