Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji, was a revered Hindu spiritual teacher and devoted follower of Lord Hanuman whose influence extended far beyond India. Decades after his death, his teachings on love, compassion, devotion and selfless service continue to attract followers around the world. His life has now reached a new generation through the devotional film Hanuman Ansh, directed by Vishal Chaturvedi.
Who Was Neem Karoli Baba?
Born as Lakshman Narayan Sharma around 1900 in Akbarpur, Uttar Pradesh, Neem Karoli Baba spent much of his life pursuing a spiritual path. He became particularly known for his devotion to Lord Hanuman and for a simple philosophy centred on love, service and seeing unity in all people.
According to accounts of his life, Baba spent periods wandering as a sadhu before eventually returning to family life. He later became associated with several ashrams, with Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand becoming the place most closely connected with his legacy. He died in Vrindavan on September 11, 1973.
His followers also associate him with numerous stories of miracles and extraordinary experiences. These accounts remain matters of faith and personal testimony rather than independently verified historical events.
Kainchi Dham: The Spiritual Centre
Kainchi Dham, located in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, became an important centre of Neem Karoli Baba’s spiritual movement. The ashram attracted Indian devotees as well as Western spiritual seekers during the 1960s and 1970s.
One of his most influential disciples was American psychologist Richard Alpert, who later became known as Ram Dass. After meeting Baba in India, Ram Dass embraced a spiritual path and eventually wrote Be Here Now, a book that helped introduce Indian spiritual ideas and Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings to a large Western audience.
Did Neem Karoli Baba Really Inspire Steve Jobs?
The connection between Neem Karoli Baba and Steve Jobs is one of the most famous parts of his modern legacy, although there is an important distinction.
Jobs travelled to India in 1974 with his friend Daniel Kottke in search of spiritual guidance and hoped to meet Neem Karoli Baba at his ashram. However, Baba had already died in September 1973, months before Jobs arrived. Jobs nevertheless spent considerable time in India, visiting ashrams and travelling through the country in search of spiritual understanding.
Jobs later spoke about his Indian journey as an important period of personal exploration. The experience has frequently been linked to his later emphasis on simplicity, intuition and focusing on what truly matters.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Kainchi Dham Connection
Years later, Mark Zuckerberg also visited Kainchi Dham. During a 2015 visit to India, Zuckerberg recalled that Steve Jobs had advised him to visit a temple in India during a difficult period for Facebook.
Zuckerberg said the journey helped him reconnect with the original purpose behind Facebook. The temple he visited is widely identified as Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Dham.
The story has contributed significantly to Kainchi Dham’s international reputation, particularly among technology entrepreneurs and young professionals seeking spiritual reflection.
Why Is He Called ‘Hanuman Ansh’?
Neem Karoli Baba’s deep devotion to Lord Hanuman is central to his spiritual identity. Many devotees have regarded him as having a divine connection with Hanuman, which is reflected in the title Hanuman Ansh.
His teachings, however, were not presented as complicated philosophical theories. Love, humility, devotion, service and compassion were repeatedly emphasised in accounts of his teachings. The simplicity of this message is one reason his influence has continued across generations.
A Legacy That Continues
Neem Karoli Baba passed away more than five decades ago, but his influence remains visible through Kainchi Dham, his devotees and the writings of disciples such as Ram Dass. His name has also become associated with internationally recognised figures including Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and actress Julia Roberts.
The renewed public interest surrounding Hanuman Ansh has brought his story back into the spotlight. More than a conventional biographical story, the film explores the spiritual journey of a man whose teachings travelled from the Himalayan foothills to audiences across the world.
At the heart of Neem Karoli Baba’s enduring appeal is a remarkably simple message: love, serve others and remain devoted to the divine.
