Apr 6, 2023, 05:28 PM IST

Neem Karoli Baba: 5 unknown facts

Riddhima Kanetkar

Neem Karoli Baba was a famous Hindu Guru and an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman. All his followers used to address him as Maharaj-ji.

Neem Karoli Baba, before his monkhood, was known by the name of Lakshminarayan Sharma. When he was 11, Neem Karoli Baba was married to a Brahmin girl. Soon after his marriage, he left his home and wandered throughout India as a sadhu and was known by many names.

Kainchi Dham Ashram was built as per Neem Karoli Baba's instructions on the Naintital-Almora road, 1400 meters above sea level, in 1964. It is believed that by the time Neem Karoli Baba was 17 years old, he knew everything.

Neem Karoli Baba did not allow anyone to touch his feet as he told them they should be touching Lord Hanuman's feet instead.

Neem Karoli Baba opted for Vrindavan's land for his Samadhi. A temple for him was built at the Ashram later. His statue was consecrated on  June 15, 1976.