What Is The Significance Of The Kainchi Dham Ashram? How To Reach Kainchi Dham From Kathgodam?
The Kainchi Dham temple Uttarakhand has emerged as the go-to place in spiritual tourism in India after the visit of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. However, very few know that Harvard Professor and spiritual leader, Ram Dass, and the former Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, visited the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in 1967 and 1974, respectively.
I was also fortunate enough to visit the Kainchi Dham in 2015, the same year that Mark Zuckerberg visited the Ashram.
The visit was a life-changing experience, instilling my trust in my abilities and connecting me to my purpose once again. In this Dream and Travel Guide, I will talk about the location of Kainchi Dham, how to visit the temple, its significance, visiting hours, and everything you need to know.
Where Is Kainchi Dham Located?
Kainchi Dham Ashram address is Shree Kainchi Hanuman Mandir, P.O. Kainchi, District Nainital, Uttarakhand (263132).
Furthermore, Kainchi Dham is located in the Kumaon Hills. The Kainchi Dham distance from Nainital is around 38 km.
Also, we use the term Kainchi Temple and Kainchi Dham interchangeably. However, Kainchi Dham is actually a Teshil Pargana or Administrative region in the Nainital District of Uttarakhand, and the Kainchi Temple, founded by Neem Karoli Baba, is located there.
The Tehsil Pargana Shri Kainchi Dham was earlier known as Tehsil Koshiyan Katauli. The Government of Uttarakhand changed the name on 20th May 2024.
Furthermore, the distance between Haldwani to Kainchi Dham is around 45 km, and the Almora to Neem Karoli Baba distance is around 44.7 km.
How To Reach Kainchi Dham?
You can reach Kainchi Dham by air, train, and road. I took a train to Kathgodam and took a local transport to travel the 37 km distance to the ashram by road.
Nevertheless, here are more details about how to reach Kainchi Dham.
1. By Train
Kathgodam Railway Station is the nearest to Kainchi Dham. The Kathgodam to Kainchi Dham distance is around 37 km. You will get regular trains from Delhi to Kathgodam.
Here are the details. (Source: IRCTC).
| Train Name | Available | Departure | Arrival | Ticket Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KATHGODAM SHTBDI (12040) | Everyday | 6:20 AM | 11:55 AM | AC Chair Car: 855 Executive Chair Car: 1325 |
| UTR SAMPRK KRTI (15035) | Everyday | 4 PM | 10:45 PM | Second Sitting: 120 AC Chair Car: 430 |
| RANIKHET EXP (15013) | Everyday | 8:21 PM | 5:05 AM | Sleeper: 205 3A: 515 2A: 720 IA: 1185 |
2. By Bus
Nainital Bus Stand is the nearest to the Kainchi Mandir. The distance is around 18 km, and the Uttarakhand Government runs a bus from Delhi to Kainchi Dham.
The bus departs from Delhi at 6:30 PM and reaches Kainchi Dham at 5:30 AM. The ticket price is INR 800.
Also, to keep up with the growing number of visitors to Kainchi Dham, the Uttarakhand government has started a shuttle service.
The shuttle service operates from 8 AM to 2 PM on weekdays and 7 AM to 8 PM on weekends.
3. By Air
Pantnagar Airport is the nearest to the Kainchi Dham. You can travel the distance by a shared taxi or a private car.
Flight services to the Pantnagar Airport are offered by airlines such as Spice Jet, Air India, and Indigo.
What Is The Neem Karoli Baba Kainchi Dham History? Who Founded Kainchi Dham Ashram?
Neem Karoli Baba founded the Kainchi Dham Ashram, and the temple and ashram here have a long history. Here are the important timelines of the temple.
| Dates | Important Events |
|---|---|
| May 25, 1962 | Maharaj Ji stopped at Kainchi village on his way from Nainital. At Kainchi, there was a dense forest across the Kshipra River. Maharaj Ji and Shri Siddhi Ma entered the village and found the spot where Shri Somvaree Baba used to worship. They sat on the stone, and Maharaj Ji ordered to build a platform around the sacrificial pit. Later, the Hanuman Temple was built here. |
| June 15, 1962 | The temple was consecrated. The temple had a Hanuman statue in the worship place of Shri Somvaree Baba. It also had a shrine for Shri Lakshmi Narayan ji and Shiv Parivar. |
| June 15, 1973 | Consecration of Shri Vindhyavasini Devi was done. |
| 1975 | The construction of Maharaj Ji’s temple and statue over his Samadhi Kalash began under the guidance of Sri Siddhi Maa. |
| June 15, 1976 | Maharaj Ji’s statue was consecrated. |
Who Is Neem Karoli Baba? What Is His Association With Kainchi Temple?
Born as Lakshmi Narayan Sharma, Neem Karoli Baba is a spiritual leader and a mystic saint who touched many lives during his lifetime and continues to guide many devotees even after not being physically present. You have to be at Kainchi Dham to understand how Neem Karoli Baba is an experience that stays with you.
His famous speech was “Sab Ek.” A humanitarian and a saint of Bhakti Yoga, he taught that love and compassion can solve all problems.
Many devotees believe that he is Lord Hanuman himself, and he built the Kainchi Temple and consecrated it on 15th June 1964.
What Is The Significance Of The Kainchi Dham Ashram?
Neem Karoli Baba built the Kainchi Dham Mandir, where the famous saint Somwar Giri Baba used to worship and meditate. Furthermore, Neem Karoli Baba spent many days in the Ashram and performed many leelas or divine deeds here in the last few years of his life on earth.
However, as I have already shared in the Neem Karoli Baba Mandir article, the experience in Kainchi Dham was beyond the religious rituals. It was about finding a sense of purpose, about getting rid of confusion.
Also, the temple rituals and operations are simple. There is no pressure to donate or to offer specific objects. Everyone visiting the temple is treated equally, following the words of Maharaj Ji, “Sab Ek.”
In addition, the temple stands in a place where Shri Somvaree Baba used to practice sacrificial rituals and meditate. So, beyond the simple architecture of the temple, there is a deep energy that helps you to transform and evolve.
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Kainchi Dham?
Kainchi Temple remains open throughout the year. However, if you want to attend the Pranpratistha Diwas and the biggest Bhandara at the temple, you must plan a visit on 15th June. The temple remains crowded on that day, but every ritual is observed in an organized way.
15th June is also the day on which a temple and a statue of Neem Karoli Baba were consecrated in 1976. He left for the heavenly abode on 10th September, 1973.
The temperature in June is quite pleasant in Kainchi Dham, and it hovers around 15-30 degrees Celsius.
However, if you want a quieter experience, you can travel between September and November. The temperature in these months remains around 10-15 degrees Celsius.
What Are The Visiting Hours Of Kainchi Dham?
The visitor hours of Kainchi Dham are 6:30 AM to 7 PM from April to October. Furthermore, from November to March, the timing is 7 AM to 7 PM.
Also, the temple has a strict time routine for daily arti and prayer. Here are the details.
| Daily Aarti and Prayers | Timing |
|---|---|
| April to October | 7:15 AM and 6:15 PM |
| November to January | 7:15 AM and 5:30 PM |
| February to March | 7:15 AM and 5:45 PM |
Are There Any Special Festivals Celebrated At Kainchi Dham?
15th June Bhandara is the biggest festival celebrated in Kainchi Mandir. It celebrates the occasion of the consecration or Pran Pratishta of the many temples in Kainchi Mandir.
On that day, a special puja is performed in the morning, and then malpua, halwa, and sabzi are distributed in this large community feast.
Other occasions on which Bhandara is organized are:
- Punya Tithi of Shree Siddhi Maa: 28th December
- Anant Chaturdashi
- Guru Purnima
- Navratri
- Sharad Poornima
Furthermore, on the occasion of 15th June, the temple management offers free shuttle transport from Bhowali to Kainchi Mandir. Also, the temple hours are extended on that day.
The management also set up water stations throughout the premises, and police and volunteers remain present to guide you.
Kainchi Dham Donation/Seva
There is no donation or seva facility for Kainchi Dham online, not through its official website. Shree Kainchi Mandir Trust or any other media.
You can only give donations in the donation boxes in the temple. Otherwise, you can pay the amount at the office and get a receipt from the office or reception.
The Kainchi Mandir administration looks after any Yagna, Puja, or special offerings in the temple. In addition, there is no provision for booking any room online or offline.
Can Visitors Stay Overnight In Kainchi Dham Ashram?
Yes, you can stay overnight in Kainchi Dham Ashram. However, the rooms are limited and they come with basic amenities. Also, remember that staying in these rooms is free. So, you don’t need to make any online or offline payment.
The existing rooms here are mostly for the workers and sewaks, and now the temple trust is looking for options outside the temple premises to offer accommodation for the devotees.
It is best to get in touch with the temple office physically and check the availability of rooms. Also, you can get in touch with the temple authority via the social media pages.
What Are The Accommodation Near Kainchi Dham?
The best accommodation near Kainchi Dham is the tourist guesthouse of the Kumaon Vikas Mandal Nigam on the Bhowali Bheemtal Road. It is around 13 km away from the temple. The tariff is INR 2200 per night. For more details, you can contact 8650002522.
Also, Guru Kripa Guesthouse (Phone: 9412129677), Amar Valley Resort (Phone: 08477802130, 08954555843) are some of the closest lodging options here.
Furthermore, you will get many homestays near the temple, and the tariff at these homestays will be around INR 1000-5000.
Are There Any Entry Fees for Kainchi Dham Ashram?
No, there is no entry fee for Kainchi Dham Ashram. There is also no system of online donation. The temple does not even ask for money for any puja or Yagna.
So, you need to be aware of fraudulent activities and social media scams asking for money for special pujas or havana.
Things To Keep In Mind For Visiting The Kainchi Dham Ashram
You must not blindly believe the news and updates circulating on social media. There is no custom or tradition of collecting a little amount of water from the sacred Kshipra River or soil from the Ashram. In fact, it is a practice you need to avoid for environmental reasons.
Furthermore, there is no prescribed practice for offering any form of tabeez, talisman, blankets, or dhotis in the Kainchi Ashram. Also, the ashram does not offer any Ayurvedic treatment, Yogasanas, healing, or meditation services.
Kainchi Ashram Visit Guidelines
- Use of mobile phones, photography, and videography is not allowed in the temple.
- You must not feed the monkeys here to ensure the safety of the devotees and residents here.
- You cannot bring pets, firearms, or ammunition to the temple.
- The Ashram area is not open to visitors. It is for sewaks and residents.
- You cannot enter the temple after eating non-vegetarian food or after consuming tobacco and alcohol.
- You must not litter and use the dustbins placed across the temple area.
- Bathing or throwing any waste into the sacred Kshipra River is not allowed.
Overall, maintain a respectful behavior and wear modest clothes when visiting the temple.
Kainchi Dham: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about the Kainchi Dham Temple of Neem Karoli Baba.
Two to three days are enough for a visit to the Kainchi Dham. On the first day, you can complete the rituals and darshan at the temple.
On the second day, you can visit the nearby cave, meditate there, and explore the library at the Kainchi Dham Ashram.
Moreover, on the third day, you can plan a trip to nearby attractions such as Mukteshwar and Kasar Devi.
You cannot book a room at Kainchi Ashram online. You have to contact the ashram directly for prior permission and a letter of introduction.
Also, there are strict rules for staying at the Ashram, and you can stay for a maximum of 3 days.
You have to wear modest and decent clothes at Kainchi Ashram. Wearing revealing and short clothes is banned by the temple authority.
Furthermore, taking photographs and videography is prohibited in the temple.
