Honestly, if you go looking for a "professional portrait" of Neem Karoli Baba, you’re going to be looking for a very long time. It doesn't exist. There were no staged studio sessions, no lighting kits, and definitely no "press kits." For a man who influenced some of the biggest tech titans in history—think Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg—Maharaj-ji was incredibly elusive when it came to having his face captured on film.
He didn't want the attention.
Actually, for many years, he flat-out refused to be photographed. Most of the pictures of neem karoli baba we see today were taken "on the fly" by devotees who had to be pretty sneaky about it. Sometimes they’d wait until he was deep in conversation or looking away. Because of this, the photos have this raw, grainy, "you are there" vibe that you just don't get with modern spiritual influencers.
Why the blanket is in almost every shot
You've probably noticed it. In nearly 90% of the photos, he’s wrapped in a simple, checkered wool blanket. It wasn't a fashion statement. In the Kumaon Hills of the Himalayas, where Kainchi Dham is tucked away, it gets biting cold. But for Maharaj-ji, that blanket became a part of him.
Devotees like Ram Dass and Dada Mukerjee used to say the blanket was like a shield. Not just for him, but for everyone else. There's this famous story where his blanket actually caught fire in a kitchen accident, and while ashes fell everywhere, the fabric itself was supposedly untouched.
It’s also a bit of a cosmic joke. Here was a man who owned basically nothing—just a dhoti and a blanket—yet he’s the one people turn to when they feel like they have nothing left. When you look at those pictures of neem karoli baba, you aren't seeing a priest in ornate robes. You’re seeing a guy who looks like a humble grandfather sitting on a wooden tucket.
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The mystery of the "missing" photos
There’s a weird legend among the old-school devotees. They say that if Maharaj-ji didn't want his picture taken, the camera simply wouldn't work. Some people claimed their film came back totally blank, even though they’d spent the whole afternoon snapping away.
Kinda wild, right?
But then there’s the flip side. Some people say that just looking at a photo of him is a form of darshan (a spiritual blessing).
There's a story about a woman named Champa Sah from Nainital. She didn't really care for "holy men" at all. But she saw a small photo of Baba in someone’s house and suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to have one for herself. She searched everywhere but couldn't find a copy. Then, one day at a festival, a random boy walked up to her with exactly one photo and asked if she wanted to buy it for a rupee and a half. As soon as she paid, the boy vanished.
The most famous shots you’ve definitely seen
If you’ve ever walked into a yoga studio or a tech startup in Silicon Valley, you've probably seen a few specific images.
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- The "Hand Up" Blessing: There’s one where he’s sitting, hand raised slightly, looking off to the side with a tiny, knowing smirk. This is the one Steve Jobs reportedly had under his pillow or on his desk. It’s the "all is well" photo.
- The Reclining Pose: Maharaj-ji spent a lot of time just hanging out on a wooden bed (a takhat). These photos are the most human. He’s often laughing or looking like he’s about to tell a joke.
- The Close-up Face: This one is intense. His eyes look right through you. Devotees say he could see your past, your future, and what you had for breakfast without you saying a word.
Who actually took these?
Most were taken by a handful of people who were around him constantly in the 60s and 70s. Balaram Das, Rameshwar Das, and Mohan Baba are the names that pop up in the archives. They weren't "photographers" by trade; they were seekers who happened to have a camera.
In 1999, when the first major website dedicated to him went live, there were only about 100 photos available. Over the years, families across India began digging through their old trunks and pullout drawers, finding snapshots their grandfathers had taken. Now, the archives have grown to over 300 or 400 unique images.
More than just paper and ink
For many, these images aren't just historical records. They’re "living" things.
In the ashrams at Kainchi Dham or Vrindavan, the photos are treated with the same respect as a physical person. They get offered food (prasad), they get covered with blankets when it’s cold, and they get tucked in at night.
If you're looking to bring one of these into your own space, it’s usually recommended to keep it in a place of respect. Not because of some "magic," but because the whole point of Maharaj-ji’s teaching was mindfulness. He used to say "Sub Ek"—All is One. Having that reminder on your wall is sorta like a spiritual anchor.
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How to use these images for your own practice
If you're starting to collect or display pictures of neem karoli baba, here's a bit of practical advice from those who’ve been doing it for decades:
- Don't overcomplicate it. You don't need a gold-plated frame. A simple wooden frame or even a small printed card works fine. Maharaj-ji was all about simplicity.
- The "Blanket" Connection. If you find a photo you love, some people like to place a small piece of red or checkered cloth near it. It’s a nod to his signature look.
- Focus on the eyes. If you use the photo for meditation, many practitioners suggest focusing on his eyes. There’s a depth there that helps quiet the "monkey mind" pretty quickly.
- Digital vs. Physical. While having a wallpaper on your phone is great, there’s something different about a physical print. It occupies space in your room and changes the "vibe" of the environment.
The best way to find high-resolution, authentic versions of these photos is through the official ashram websites or the Love Serve Remember Foundation. They’ve done the hard work of cleaning up the old film scans so you can actually see the details of his expression.
Ultimately, the photo is just a doorway. As Maharaj-ji himself used to say, he didn't need to be there physically to help you. The "picture" is just a way for you to remember to be kind, feed people, and tell the truth.
To get started, you can browse the digital galleries at Maharajji.love or the Kainchi Dham archives to see which specific image resonates with you the most. Many devotees find that one particular photo will "speak" to them more than others—trust that instinct.