Neem Karoli Baba's Bhumiadhar Ashram & Temple
In the mystic hills of the Indian Himalayas, where the ancient whispers of sages and saints still seem to reverberate through the crisp mountain air, there lies a place of serene sanctity: Bhumiadhar Ashram and Temple. The site of numerous divine miracles and deep spiritual significance, Bhumiadhar is not merely a geographical location but a vibrant nexus of mysticism, devotion, and transcendence, a sanctuary where the divine presence of Neem Karoli Baba, or Maharaj Ji, was revealed to the world. The story of Bhumiadhar Ashram and its temple is as profound as it is timeless, a testament to the profound grace of a true spiritual luminary.
The Genesis of Neem Karoli Baba’s Bhumiadhar Ashram
The humble beginnings of Bhumiadhar Ashram trace back to the 11th of December, 1961. On this fateful day, Pooran Singh, the son of Thakur Padam Singh, offered his roadside house and the adjacent land in Bhumiadhar to Maharaj Ji. In this quiet and undisturbed corner of the world, Neem Karoli Baba, whose spiritual presence had already begun to inspire awe and reverence across India, accepted the offering with a simple yet profound gesture.
It was here that Baba chose to establish a sacred abode for himself and his devotees. To ensure the welfare of the local community, Baba brought with him a murti (idol) of Lord Hanuman, which he placed in the temple for the benefit of all who sought solace in his divine presence. Entrusting the care of this temple to one of his most dedicated disciples, Brahmachari Baba, Maharaj Ji imparted an important lesson on the nature of spiritual service. Brahmachari Baba, a figure of deep austerity, had previously served at Hanumangarh before receiving Baba's command to move to Bhumiadhar. It was here that Brahmachari Baba would undertake arduous spiritual practices—standing in meditation for months on end, observing silence for years, and living on a diet of fruits and vegetables, all the while embodying the discipline of a true ascetic.
Baba's teachings at Bhumiadhar were simple, yet profound: "If you remember God all the time, you will not be born again in this world." With these words, Baba not only spoke to the essence of liberation but also gave a divine blessing to those around him, urging them to live in the presence of the Eternal.
Ram Dass's Divine Revelation at Neem Karoli Baba’s Bhumiadhar
One of the most profound and transformative moments in the history of Bhumiadhar Ashram came with the first visit of Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert), who would later become one of Baba's most famous devotees. Ram Dass, a former professor of psychology at Harvard University, had come to India in 1967 in search of something deeper, something more meaningful than his scholarly pursuits had provided him. Along with a fellow American devotee, Ram Dass arrived at Bhumiadhar to meet Neem Karoli Baba.
At first, Baba appeared strange to Ram Dass, a man of the world steeped in the ways of academia and intellectual reasoning. But Baba’s mystique was magnetic. He spoke to Ram Dass with such penetrating clarity that it unsettled him. Upon their arrival, Baba praised the Land Rover they had traveled in, casually suggesting that Ram Dass give it to him. A strange request, indeed, which initially irritated Ram Dass. But it was Baba's next words that would shake the very foundation of Ram Dass's being.
Baba, with his divine foresight, remarked, “You were standing under the open sky last night. What did your mother say to you? Your mother died last year? She died of spleen?”
The words, spoken with startling precision, sent a shiver through Ram Dass. How could Baba have known such intimate details of his life? Ram Dass had indeed spent the previous night under the stars, experiencing a profound connection with his late mother, who had passed away from a spleen disorder. Baba’s ability to discern the deepest secrets of his heart left Ram Dass in awe. Overcome with emotion, he wept uncontrollably. It was then that Baba gave him the name "Ram Dass," meaning "Servant of God," and thus began Ram Dass's spiritual journey under Baba's guidance.
This moment of spiritual awakening, where Baba's divine sight pierced through the veil of illusion and spoke directly to the soul of Ram Dass, was but one of many miracles that would come to define Bhumiadhar Ashram as a place of sacred transformation.
The Miracles at Neem Karoli Baba’s Bhumiadhar Ashram
While Ram Dass's encounter with Baba remains one of the most well-known, Bhumiadhar Ashram is also home to numerous other miracles—small, profound acts of divine grace that speak volumes about Baba's infinite compassion and love for all beings.
Take, for instance, the miraculous story of Kachauri Mai, a devoted woman who offered kachauris (deep-fried bread stuffed with spiced lentils) to Baba at the Hanuman Temple in Kainchi every Tuesday. On one occasion, unable to travel to Kainchi, she offered the kachauris at Bhumiadhar instead. The following day, when she arrived in Kainchi, she found that the kachauris she had placed at Bhumiadhar had mysteriously and miraculously appeared in Kainchi, placed before Baba’s murti, with some scattered at his feet. Neither she nor the priest had opened the container, and yet, the prasad was there, as if by divine intervention. This was but one of many such incidents that served as a testament to Baba's boundless grace.
The Mystical Presence of Neem Karoli Baba at Bhumiadhar Ashram
In another extraordinary episode, Sri Siddhi Ma and Sri Jivanti Ma, had undertaken a long and difficult journey on foot in the darkness of night, walking twelve kilometres from Kainchi to Bhumiadhar. When they arrived at midnight, exhausted and hungry, Baba was waiting for them with open arms, having already asked Brahmachari Baba to prepare food for them. Baba, with his divine foresight, had known their path and had taken steps to ensure their comfort and safety. The encounter was a reminder of Baba's promise: "When you have started on the path to God, proceed, do not stop. He will take care of you."
Perhaps one of the most poignant moments in the annals of Bhumiadhar Ashram came on 9 November 1962, when a strange man, weak and emaciated, arrived at the temple. His hands and feet were twisted, his body gaunt. He sat near Brahmachari Baba by a fire, and Baba, sensing the significance of his arrival, immediately ran out to greet him, shouting, “You have come, you have come.” The man revealed that he was on a journey from Pilibhit to Meerut and had been given a divine task. Baba, who possessed the gift of prophecy, spoke to him of future events, predicting the rise of Lal Bahadur Shastri as Prime Minister, a prediction that would be realised within a year and a half.
The Divine Guidance at Bhumiadhar Ashram
Baba’s presence in Bhumiadhar was not limited to miraculous events alone; it was also the place where countless devotees came to seek solace, guidance, and blessings. It was here that Baba would often speak directly to his devotees, providing them with the answers they sought, offering wisdom on matters both spiritual and worldly.
One such instance occurred when a devoted woman, Nandan Mai, missed her daily pilgrimage to Bhumiadhar for three days in a row. When she arrived on the fourth day, Baba remarked, "I have got your three days absence marked in the attendance register of God in heaven above. I cannot have pity on you and mark you present when you have been absent for three days.” The simple yet profound words of Baba served as a reminder that in the divine court, every action and every absence is noted—an eternal reminder that nothing is ever truly forgotten in the eyes of God.
The Legacy of Bhumiadhar Ashram
Bhumiadhar Ashram, with its divine presence, profound teachings, and miraculous occurrences, was a spiritual beacon for all who sought to understand the deeper truths of life. Neem Karoli Baba’s wisdom, love, and grace left an indelible mark on all those who came into contact with him.
In the years that followed, Bhumiadhar would become a gateway for many to experience the transformative power of Baba’s love. From Ram Dass to countless other devotees, Bhumiadhar served as a sanctuary—a place where the earthly and the divine converged, where the ordinary met the extraordinary, and where the heart could find solace in the presence of the Divine.
As the years continue to unfold, Bhumiadhar remains a sacred site of pilgrimage, a living testament to the divine miracles that Neem Karoli Baba performed, and a place where the eternal truths of spirituality continue to inspire and uplift those who seek the path of devotion. In the words of Baba, “Love everyone, serve everyone, remember God.” Bhumiadhar Ashram stands as a living embodiment of these words—a sanctuary where love and devotion are the foundation of the sacred path.
From Bhumiadhar Ashram to Kainchi Dhaam: A Spiritual Journey of Miracles and Divine Will
Kainchi, nestled in a tranquil valley at an altitude of 3,500 feet, is a land of ethereal beauty and deep spiritual energy. Surrounded by towering mountain ranges draped in dense forests, this sacred space is graced by the north-flowing river Uttar Vahini Ganga, named by Neem Karoli Baba himself. Beyond the river, the Gargachal Range stretches out, a place of ancient ascetic practices linked to the revered sage Garga. Throughout history, Kainchi has attracted saints and mystics, drawn by its serene power and divine presence.
At the dawn of the 20th century, the siddha Somvar Giri Baba meditated here in a natural cave, followed by Kamlagiri from Punjab, who spent several years organising recitations of the Shiv Purana and Devi Bhagwat. Later, Premi Baba lived in Kainchi, further enhancing the area’s spiritual significance. Yet, it was the arrival of Neem Karoli Baba in 1962 that would immortalise Kainchi in the hearts of his devotees.
On May 26, 1962, Neem Karoli Baba, accompanied by Tularam Sah and Sri Siddhi Ma, arrived in Kainchi while journeying from Bhumiadhar to Shitlakhet. It was during this leg of their pilgrimage that Baba made a striking and eerie statement: “Shyam Lal was a very good man,” using the past tense. This unsettling comment caused deep concern, as Shyam Lal was the father-in-law of Tularam Sah’s son. The group, staying with Kundan Lal Sah in Ranikhet, was soon informed by telephone that Shyam Lal had died suddenly of heart failure. Baba, unwavering in his certainty, instructed the group to return to Nainital immediately.
As they retraced their steps, Baba halted at a remote spot in the forest, where Sri Ma led him across a river to a rock that would later become a revered site within the ashram grounds. When Sri Ma inquired about the name of the place, Baba revealed it was Kainchi, a name that would soon be synonymous with divine grace.
In the days that followed, Baba visited Purnanand Tewari’s home, one of the few inhabitants of Kainchi, and asked to see the havankund (sacred fire pit) of Somvar Giri. When Tewari prepared to show Baba the site, Baba suddenly changed his mind, delaying the visit until 4 a.m. the following morning. Tewari, puzzled by the change of plans, questioned Baba, who replied firmly, “Am I a liar?” This brief yet profound exchange spoke to Baba’s divine authority, one that transcended time and space.
After his overnight journey back to Bhumiadhar and a visit to Premi Baba’s hut, Baba returned to Kainchi, where he instructed his followers to clear the site around the havankund. Baba ordered the construction of a platform for the sacred murti of Hanuman, which was to be installed at the site. Even as the work began, the project faced resistance from a forest warden, who claimed the land was owned by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Forestry. Undeterred, Baba’s followers appealed to the Chief Conservator of Forests, R.C. Soni, who facilitated the resolution of the dispute. The government sanctioned the lease of the land for the ashram, and Baba’s vision for Kainchi Ashram began to take shape.
Ram Ram.
