The Neem Karoli Ashram is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and was established in the 1960s by the revered saint, Neem Karoli Baba (born Lakshmi Narayan Sharma). Devotees believe him to be an incarnation of Lord Hanuman, and many visitors claim to feel a powerful spiritual energy within the ashram grounds.

Located at an altitude of around 1,400 metres above sea level, the ashram stands on the Nainital–Almora road, enveloped by dense forests, serene mountains, and a gently flowing river. The unique scissor-like shape formed by two crossing hills gave the sanctuary its name, as ‘Kainchi’ translates to scissors in Hindi.

The ashram gained global prominence in 1973 when Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, visited and stayed here in search of spiritual clarity. Years later, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta (Facebook), also journeyed to the ashram, further cementing its international reputation.