Afzal Hussain Fauji/ Nainital
With devotees from far and near streaming into the revered Kainchi Dham during the Mela, marking the foundation day of the ashram, it is worth recalling the silent yet significant contribution of Siddhi Maa, the spiritual successor of Neeb Karori Baba, to the development of the dham as a thriving spiritual centre.
After the demise of Neeb Karori Baba in 1973, Sri Ma kept on guiding the devotees visiting Kainchi Dham and told them about Baba’s teachings and his divine nature.
Almost everyone knows about Neeb Karori Baba, but even today very few know about the supreme disciple of the spiritual mentor of the dham.
Shri Maa was considered by the Baba as a living embodiment of Katyayani Devi, divinity incarnate. The Baba and Shri Maa first met when the Hanumangarhi temple was being constructed in Nainital. After the Baba laid down his mortal body, the devotees started looking up to her as his spiritual successor, reverently addressing her as Shri Maa. Though a void was created after the Baba’s departure, it was soon filled by Shri Maa who took over the management of Kainchi Dham and established the ashram as a vibrant spiritual centre.
Siddhi Maa, born in Almora, was married to Tularam Sah, a resident of Nainital. And she lived in India Hotel located on Mall Road in Nainital. Her husband was a great devotee of Neeb Karori Baba and under his influence, she also became a devotee of the Baba. And after husband’s death, she left home and got absorbed in spiritual pursuits. Before leaving his mortal body, the Baba is believed to have passed on all his spiritual powers to Siddhi Maa. She would give darshan to the devotees every Saturday and Tuesday at Kainchi Dham and devotees felt fulfilled from her divine darshan.
