September 11 marks the Mahasamadhi anniversary of Neem Karoli Baba, one of India’s widely revered spiritual teachers and devotees of Lord Hanuman. Known affectionately to his followers as Maharaj-ji, he passed away in Vrindavan on September 11, 1973. More than five decades later, his teachings continue to draw devotees and spiritual seekers to the ashrams associated with his life, particularly Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand.
Neem Karoli Baba’s appeal has always been closely connected with the simplicity of his spiritual message. Rather than presenting spirituality as something distant or complicated, he emphasised love, devotion, service and remembrance of God. His oft-repeated teaching is expressed in the words: “Love everyone, serve everyone, feed everyone, and remember God.” For his followers, these words capture the essence of his approach to spiritual life: devotion was not merely about personal religious practice but also about how one treated and served other people.
Neem Karoli Baba was a devoted follower of Lord Hanuman, and Hanuman’s qualities of devotion, courage, strength, humility and selfless service were central to the spiritual tradition surrounding him. His teachings continue to be associated with the idea that faith should give a person the strength to face difficult circumstances while remaining compassionate towards others.
His spiritual journey eventually led to the establishment of Kainchi Dham, a temple and ashram in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand. The centre, located in the Nainital district, has since become an important pilgrimage destination for his followers. Devotees from India and abroad visit the ashram seeking spiritual connection and remembering Maharaj-ji’s teachings.
Neem Karoli Baba’s influence also travelled far beyond India. One of the most important figures in introducing his teachings to Western spiritual seekers was Ram Dass, the American spiritual teacher who was earlier known as Richard Alpert. His encounter with Neem Karoli Baba in India became a turning point in his life. Ram Dass later wrote Be Here Now, a widely read spiritual book that helped bring the teachings and influence of Maharaj-ji to a much larger Western audience.
Over the years, Neem Karoli Baba’s name has also become associated with several prominent personalities. Steve Jobs travelled to India in the 1970s and visited Kainchi Dham, although he arrived after Baba had passed away. Years later, Jobs reportedly recommended the place to Mark Zuckerberg, who visited India during a difficult period for Facebook.
His influence has extended into popular culture as well.
Actor Julia Roberts has spoken about becoming interested in Hinduism after seeing a photograph of Neem Karoli Baba, saying that she felt strongly drawn to the image even though she had never met him. These stories have contributed to the saint’s growing recognition among spiritual seekers outside India.
For devotees, however, his significance does not rest on the famous people associated with his legacy. At the centre of his teachings remains the idea of seva, or selfless service. Helping others, feeding those in need, showing compassion and remembering God were presented as simple but meaningful ways of living a spiritual life. His teachings also emphasised love without discrimination and faith even during periods of uncertainty and difficulty.
His message continues to find relevance in a world often marked by stress, uncertainty and increasing individualism. The emphasis on serving others offers an alternative to a purely self-centred understanding of success, while the call to love and compassion remains meaningful across social and cultural boundaries. His teachings also encourage people to look beyond temporary difficulties and maintain faith and inner strength.
The continued popularity of Kainchi Dham reflects the enduring place Neem Karoli Baba occupies in the spiritual landscape of modern India. His legacy is also receiving renewed public attention in 2026 with the release of Hanuman Ansh, a film inspired by his life and teachings. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has described the film as an opportunity to introduce Baba’s life, devotion and message of service to a wider audience.
On his Mahasamadhi anniversary, devotees remember Neem Karoli Baba not simply as a saint of the past, but as a spiritual teacher whose message remains remarkably direct: love, serve, feed and remember God. In that simplicity lies much of the continuing appeal of Maharaj-ji, a reminder that spirituality can be expressed not only through prayer and devotion, but also through compassion, humility and service to others.