Kainchi Dham Ashram of Neem Karoli Baba

Why is Kainchi Dham Ashram famous?

Kainchi Dham Ashram is famous because of being established by Neem Karoli Baba (also known as 'Maharaj ji'). Whenever Baba ji visited Uttarakhand he either stayed at Kainchi Ashram or at Bhumiadhar Temple.

Neem Karoli Maharaj is known for his devotion to Lord Hanuman, and his simple yet profound teachings. The temple attracts devotees from all over the world. In the 1970s, Steve Jobs visited the temple and meditated there. In recent years Mark Zuckerburg, Julia Roberts, Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma have also visited the temple.

History of Kainchi Dham Ashram

Shri Neem Karoli Maharaj along with Shri Ma first crossed the river and put his sacred foot on the present-day Kainchi Dham on 25th May 1962. Premi baba and Somvari baba used to live and perform havan at the present site. Baba-ji ordered that a Hanuman Temple be built at the same place, and thus the foundation was laid for Kainchi Ashram.

Later Mata Vindhyavasini temple was also built by Baba-ji and was consecrated on 15th June 1973. After the demise of Baba, Vaishno Devi temple and Maharajji's temple was also constructed within the Ashram in 1974. Neem Karoli Baba had made all arrangements for the Vaishno Devi temple before his demise. After the completion of his temple, his murti was established and both temples were consecrated on 15th June 1976.

It's said that Neem Karoli Baba himself had fixed June 15th as the consecration of Kainchi Dham. 15th June is celebrated as the Pratishtha Divas (consecration day) of Kainchi Dham Ashram and an annual Bhandara is organized on the day. Lakhs of devotees join in to worship and have mal-pua prasadam at the Bhandara.

Photos of Kainchi Dham Ashram

How to reach Kainchi Dham Ashram?

Kainchi Dham is well-connected only by road. The journey from Haldwani to Kainchi Dham offers picturesque views of the hills and forests of Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. There are well-maintained roads to reach kainchi dham from all major nearby cities.

The nearest railway station to Kainchi Dham is Kathgodam railway station, which is around 35 kilometers away. The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, which is around 65 kilometers away from Kainchi Dham. You can take a private taxi from Railway Station/Airport to Kainchi Dham Ashram.

How to reach Kainchi Dham from Delhi?

There are several modes of transport available to reach Kainchi Dham from Delhi :

Delhi to Kainchi Dham by Road:

A road trip from Delhi to Kainchi Dham is approximately 300 kilometers and takes about 6:30-7 hours. The fastest route goes through Ghaziabad, Hapur, Moradabad, Kashipur, Ramnagar, Kaladhungi, Nainital, and then Kainchi Dham Ashram. The drive from Kaladhungi to Kainchi Dham Ashram offers serene views of Kumaon hills and forests.

Delhi to Kainchi Dham by Bus:

Regular bus services operated by Uttarakhand Transport Corporation(UKTC) are available from Anand Vihar ISBT, Delhi to Kainchi Dham. To go directly from Delhi to Kainchi Dham Ashram using State transport you can book buses from Anand Vihar Delhi to either Bageshwar/Almora, these buses go via Kainchi Dham Ashram.

Another option is to get a bus from Anand Vihar ISBT, Delhi to Nainital. From Nainital, you can take a local taxi or bus to reach Kainchi Dham Ashram, which is about 17 kilometers from Nainital. You can book tickets from UKTC online using the UKTC booking portal :

Delhi to Kainchi Dham by Train:

You can reach Kainchi Dham from Delhi by train, nearest railway station is Kathgodam, which is about 35 km from Kainchi Dham Ashram. There are regular trains between Delhi and Kathgodam. Upon reaching Kathgodam, you can book a local taxi or take a bus from Kathgodam to Kainchi Dham.

Delhi to Kainchi Dham by Air:

Most time efficient, but slightly expensive for the pocket. The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, which is about 65 kilometers from Kainchi Dham Ashram. There are daily flights available from Delhi Airport to Pantnagar Airport, upon reaching Pantnagar you can hire a taxi to reach the ashram.

Weather in Kainchi Dham Ashram

Winter months (November-February):

If you are planning a visit during winter months we recommend packing heavy woolens. The temperature is cold, with mercury often dipping below 0°C at night. Days are chilly but relatively warmer because of the clear sunlight.

Spring months (March-April)

Is the ideal time to visit Kainchi Dham. The temperature during these months is Moderate (10°C-20°C). During this months, Kainchi dham is filled with lush greenery and blooming flowers.

Summer months (May-July):

The temperate during the summer months is a pleasant warm of around 25°C. Tourists flock to Uttarakhand for a cool escape from the heatwaves of the northern plains during these months. We recommend light cotton clothes for this peak tourist season.

Monsoon months (August-September):

We do not recommend visiting during Monsoons, as heavy rains are common which leads to lush green landscapes everywhere but raises a potential for landslides.

Best time to visit Kainchi Dham Ashram

Kainchi Dham Ashram can be visited anytime during the year, but the best time to visit is from March to August. The weather during these months is pleasant, which is ideal for meditating and exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Avoid travel during the monsoon season, as there's a risk of landslides.

Where to Stay in Kainchi Dham Ashram?

There are a number of accommodation options available near Kainchi Dham Ashram. There is some space within the Kainchi Dham Ashram to accommodate devotees as well, however, it is fully booked most of the time. There are hotels and homestays that offer a clear view of the Ashram and offer an ambient environment perfect for meditation.

Staying inside the Ashram

Kainchi Dham Ashram also has options to stay within the Ashram. To stay inside the Kainchi Dham ashram you will need a letter of recommendation and prior arrangement with the Ashram. The process to stay inside the Ashram is as follows :

Note: You can stay within the Ashram premises for a utmost of 3 days.