Thousands Flock to Kainchi Dham Shrine After 'Baba' Steve Jobs Never Met

Thousands of devotees have thronged Kainchi Dham shrine in the Kumaon hills. A Hanuman temple and ashram of spiritual guru Neem Karoli Baba. The shrine, consecrated in 1964, has seen a surge in visitors this month, drawn by the recent release of a film about the guru's life.

The film, directed by Dr Vishal Chaturvedi, opened quietly on 250 screens on August 7 and has since grossed ₹200 crore in India, according to news agency PTI.

Read More: Caleb Flynn Sentenced to Life in Prison After Conviction for Wife's Murder

Neem Karoli Baba, born Lakshman Narayan Sharma, was a Hindu spiritual teacher devoted to Hanuman. He married young and later became a wandering ascetic, leaving no body of philosophical writing. His teachings are remembered through stories and the testimony of his followers.

Facebook co-founder Mark, Zuckerberg said. in 2015 that Neem Karoli Baba had advised him to take a spiritual trip to India and visit a temple. Cricketer Virat Kohli and actor Anushka Sharma are among his devotees.

The film, made on a small budget, has been a commercial success, running on 2,000 screens and grossing ₹200 crore in India by September 11. Dr Vishal Chaturvedi, the film's director, had urged people to check conditions before travelling to Kainchi Dham, suggesting other places linked to the guru if the shrine was too crowded.

As traffic jammed the roads around Bhimtal and Bhowali during the October 2 long weekend, the road from Nainital to Almora winds through forest and turns back on itself in two sharp hairpin bends, earning the name Kainchi Dham. The place is a popular destination for devotees.

Also Read: Madhuri Dixit Channels Inner Paro on Kaun Banega Crorepati, Leaves Amitabh Bachchan Impressed

Who visit the shrine and the ashram of Neem Karoli Baba. Who became closely linked with the Kainchi Dham in the later years of his life.

Neem Karoli Baba died in Vrindavan on September 11, 1973, and was given the name Ram Dass, meaning "servant of God". His teachings and legacy continue to inspire devotees, including those who have visited Kainchi Dham shrine. This has seen a surge in visitors this month.