Kainchi Dham was established by Neem Karoli Baba in 1964, on the road between Bhowali and Almora. Each year on 15 June a great bhandara marks the temple's foundation day, and thousands are fed. It is a place of quiet, fast-flowing water, prasad, and the unmistakable feeling of his presence.
कैंची धाम
A pilgrimageYatra to Kainchi Dham
Maharaj-ji's principal dham sits in the Kumaon Himalayas near Nainital, where two hill-streams meet like a pair of scissors. Here is a simple guide to making the journey.
How to reach
Three ways up the hills
By air
Pantnagar is nearest
Pantnagar Airport (~70 km) is the closest, but flights are few and seasonal. Dehradun and Delhi are the larger fallback airports. From Pantnagar, taxis wait outside the terminal.
By train
Kathgodam is the railhead
Kathgodam (~38 km) is the nearest station, well connected to Delhi (Old Delhi & Anand Vihar). The mountain road from Kathgodam is beautiful. Shared cabs are cheaper than a private taxi.
By road
From Delhi, ~320 km
A 6–8 hr drive from Delhi via Moradabad–Haldwani. Overnight buses run from Anand Vihar ISBT to Haldwani/Nainital; from Nainital, Kainchi is just ~17 km on the Almora road.
Costs are rough 2025–26 estimates and shift with season, fuel and bargaining — please confirm before you travel. Shared cabs and buses cost far less than private taxis.
Best time
When to go
Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov are clearest and most beautiful. Avoid the monsoon (Jul–Aug) — landslides close roads. Winters are very cold. The 15 June bhandara is extraordinary but extremely crowded.
Temple timings
Darshan hours
The ashram is generally open from ~6 AM to ~6 PM, with a midday break. Mornings are calmer. Please reconfirm locally, especially around festival days.
Where to stay
Nearby towns
Nainital (~37 km) has the most hotels; Bhowali (~9 km) and Bhimtal are closer and quieter. The ashram is for darshan, not lodging — most pilgrims visit for the day.
With respect
Etiquette
Dress modestly, remove shoes and leather at the temple, keep silence where asked, and follow the sevadars' guidance. Photography inside is limited — let the visit be for darshan, not the camera.
जय श्री राम
If you make the yatra from Nashik, tell us — and if a few of us can go together one day, even better. Until then, our Tuesday lamp keeps his presence close to home.
Travel details compiled from public Uttarakhand travel guides — see credits.