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Visit the peaceful Neem Karoli Baba ashram in Nainital — famously visited by Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg & Julia Roberts. ~480 km.
Kainchi Dham is a serene ashram situated in a narrow Himalayan gorge between Bhowali and Almora in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, approximately 480 km from Jaipur. Established in 1964 by the revered saint Neem Karoli Baba (also known as Maharaj-ji), this peaceful retreat has become famous worldwide not only as a major Hindu pilgrimage site but also as a place of profound spiritual transformation for some of the most influential figures of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Steve Jobs visited Kainchi Dham in 1974 as a young man searching for spiritual guidance — a visit he later credited as profoundly shaping his philosophy and approach to design and simplicity. Mark Zuckerberg visited in 2015 on the advice of Steve Jobs, and Julia Roberts' visit inspired her conversion and her role in the film "Eat Pray Love." The ashram has drawn countless seekers from India and across the world, drawn by stories of Neem Karoli Baba's extraordinary compassion, wisdom, and reported miracles.
Neem Karoli Baba (c.1900–1973) was one of India's most beloved saints — a devotee of Lord Hanuman who traveled extensively throughout North India, establishing temples and ashrams and attracting a devoted following that included both simple village people and educated professionals, both Indians and Westerners. He was known for his fierce compassion, his unconditional love for all who came to him, and his habit of appearing in multiple places simultaneously — a phenomenon attested to by thousands of devotees.
His most famous Western devotees include Ram Dass (Richard Alpert), the Harvard psychologist who became a pioneering figure in the American spiritual movement and wrote "Be Here Now" — a book that influenced an entire generation of seekers. The Neem Karoli Baba tradition continues to attract thousands of followers worldwide, and his ashrams at Kainchi, Vrindavan, Rishikesh, and Taos (New Mexico) remain active centers of devotion.
The Kainchi Dham ashram is set in a breathtakingly beautiful location — a narrow gorge with a rushing mountain stream (Kosi River) on one side and forested Himalayan hillsides on the other. The ashram's white buildings, colorful gardens, and the tall deodar cedars create an atmosphere of extraordinary peace and natural beauty. The main temple houses a large murti (idol) of Lord Hanuman — Maharaj-ji's principal deity — along with the samadhi (memorial) of Neem Karoli Baba himself, which is a focal point for pilgrim devotion.
The annual Bhandara (feast) at Kainchi Dham is held on June 15th every year — the anniversary of the ashram's founding — and draws tens of thousands of pilgrims from across India and the world. A massive prasad distribution takes place where everyone regardless of background is fed. The ashram is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. Entry is free, and simple accommodation and food are available for devotees wishing to stay overnight.
Since Kainchi Dham is just 22 km from Nainital, combining both on a 3-4 day tour is highly recommended. Nainital is one of Uttarakhand's most popular hill stations, built around the pear-shaped Naini Lake at an altitude of 2,084 meters. The town offers a pleasant Himalayan escape with boating on Naini Lake, cable car rides to Snow View Point (offering Himalayan peak views), walks along the Mall Road, and visits to the famous Naina Devi Temple on the lakeshore.
Other nearby attractions include Bhimtal Lake (22 km), Jim Corbett National Park (65 km from Nainital — India's oldest tiger reserve), Mukteshwar (51 km — a quiet hill town with apple orchards and panoramic Himalayan views), and Ranikhet (55 km — a peaceful cantonment hill town with a golf course and magnificent Himalayan vistas).
Day 1: Depart Jaipur early morning. Drive to Bareilly (330 km, ~5 hours). Continue to Kathgodam/Haldwani. Overnight stay.
Day 2: Drive to Nainital (35 km from Kathgodam). Morning: Naini Lake boat ride, Naina Devi Temple, Mall Road. Afternoon: Drive to Kainchi Dham (22 km). Darshan at the ashram. Return to Nainital. Overnight Nainital.
Day 3: Morning: Snow View Point cable car for Himalayan peak views. Depart for Jaipur. Arrive late evening.
The road to Kainchi Dham from Kathgodam passes through Bhowali and is a beautifully scenic mountain drive. However, the narrow sections require careful driving — our Kainchi Dham tour always uses experienced drivers familiar with mountain roads. We strongly recommend a sedan or compact SUV rather than a larger vehicle for the mountain section. June 15th Bhandara day requires very early departure from Jaipur to reach Kainchi by mid-morning before the crowds make movement difficult.
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