How to reach Neem Karoli Baba From Australia
To visit Neem Karoli Baba’s Ashram (also known as Kainchi Dham), located in Uttarakhand, India, from Australia, you’ll need to combine multiple modes of transportation: international flights, domestic flights within India, and road travel. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Fly from Melbourne, Australia to India (International Flight)
- Melbourne to Delhi (Flight):
- The most convenient international gateway to India from Melbourne is Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi. You can book a direct or connecting flight to Delhi from Melbourne.
- Airlines flying from Melbourne (MEL) to Delhi (DEL) include:
- Qantas Airways
- Air India
- Emirates
- Singapore Airlines
- The flight duration is approximately 12-14 hours for direct flights or 16-18 hours for flights with a layover (depending on the airline).
Step 2: Delhi to Dehradun or Pantnagar (Domestic Flight)
Once you arrive in Delhi, the most efficient way to get to Uttarakhand is by flying to either Dehradun or Pantnagar, as these are the nearest airports to Neem Karoli Baba’s Ashram (Kainchi Dham).
Option 1: Delhi to Dehradun (Domestic Flight)
- Flight Duration: About 1 hour.
- Airlines: You can fly with IndiGo, Air India, or SpiceJet.
- Dehradun Airport (Jolly Grant Airport, DED) is approximately 180 km from Kainchi Dham (Neem Karoli Baba’s Ashram).
Option 2: Delhi to Pantnagar (Domestic Flight)
- Flight Duration: About 1 hour.
- Airlines: IndiGo and Air India offer flights to Pantnagar (Pantnagar Airport, PGH).
- Pantnagar Airport is closer to Kainchi Dham (about 80 km), but there are fewer flights available compared to Dehradun.
Step 3: Travel from Dehradun/Pantnagar to Kainchi Dham (By Road)
From Dehradun:
- Kainchi Dham is located about 180-200 km from Dehradun. You can travel by car or taxi to reach Kainchi Dham, which takes around 5-6 hours depending on road conditions.
- You can book a private taxi from Dehradun airport, or there are buses available that connect Dehradun to Nainital or Ranikhet. Kainchi Dham is between these towns, so you can get off at the nearest stop and take a short taxi ride.
From Pantnagar:
- Kainchi Dham is about 80 km from Pantnagar, and the road journey takes around 2-3 hours.
- You can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Kainchi Dham from Pantnagar.
Step 4: Local Travel within Kainchi Dham
- Upon arriving at Kainchi Dham, you’ll find the ashram where Neem Karoli Baba lived and performed his spiritual activities. It is a quiet, spiritual place surrounded by nature.
- You can either stay at the Ashram (there are basic guesthouses for pilgrims) or nearby hotels in Nainital or Ranikhet.
Summary of the Travel Route:
- Melbourne (MEL) → Delhi (DEL) (International flight)
- Delhi (DEL) → Dehradun (DED) or Pantnagar (PGH) (Domestic flight)
- Dehradun/Pantnagar → Kainchi Dham (By road, taxi or bus)
Additional Travel Tips:
- Visa: You will need an Indian tourist visa to travel to India.
- Best Time to Visit: The best months to visit Kainchi Dham are March to June (summer) and September to November (post-monsoon). Winters (December to February) can be cold in the region.
- Local Transport: Taxis are available, but you may want to confirm rates and make bookings in advance, especially for long distances.
- Accommodations: You can stay at the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram (simple accommodations for pilgrims) or choose accommodations in nearby towns like Nainital or Ranikhet.
