 Hanuman Temple Inside the ashram is a temple with an exquisite statue of Hanuman.
Hanuman is a very revered figure in Hinduism and there could well be at
least a million 'Hanuman temples' in the world. The Taos Hanuman statue
is very unique in He is flying. This is very rare among Hanuman statues
because three styles seem to predominate among the tens of millions of
Hanumans in temples and homes out there.
 These styles of Hanuman are 1) In a standing position tearing
His chest open to reveal Ram and Sita living in His heart, with
bajarangi (weapon of war) leaning against his leg, 2) In a kneeling
position facing foward and also tearing His chest open to reveal Ram
and Sita living in His heart, with bajarangi (weapon of war) leaning
against his leg, 3) Stretched out carrying a mountain in an upraised
hand, with bajarangi in right hand. There are very minor instances of
other styles of Hanuman in other forms. So Taos Hanuman is in a
'ramchidrimapradiyaka' form. This means "flying to Sita with Ram's
ring" form.
 Hanuman is well cared for every day in this retreat space
within the Taos village. This Hanuman temple is one of the most visited
Hanuman mandirs ('temple' in Hindi). This means that thousands of
Indian Hindu devotees from a region that stretches out a thousand miles
come to visit and pay their respects. Most of these visitors to the
temple are families.
Also, a rather large number of traveling western devotees from
America and all over the world stop at the ashram for a some of the
ashram kitchen's excellent milky, sweet tea and prasad. Prasad is a
Hindi/Sanskrit word for a ceremonial food that is given to virtually
everyone that visits this ashram. Usually the prasad is something sweet
like cookies (yum) or baked items, plus the great tea (called by 'chai'
at the ashram).
 The Neem Karoli Baba Ashram is basically open from 7am to 7pm.
These hours coincide with daily ceremonies called arati. Arati is often
spelled aarti and is the equivalent of 'vespers, which is basically
greeting the sun and the saying good night to the sun. The ceremony
takes about 35 minutes and goes through a series of specific prayers
and invocations praising and thanking God.
The overall ashram grounds are rather large being somewhere around 8 acres. Neem Karoli Baba Ashram is located east of Taos Plaza on the other side of La Loma hill on Geronimo Lane just off of Valverde. It's not too hard to find. There are some signs as you get closer and a large parking lot when you get there.
 Other scheduled activities include Sunday ceremony (11:00am -
1:00pm) where 11 Hanuman Chalisas are sung by the devotees followed by
a mid day arati and food is served. Tuesdays are a night of kirtan
singing beginning directly after evening arati. Kirtan means the
singing of songs to God. The three main songs performed during kirtan
are 'Sri Ram Jai Ram', 'Sita Ram Sita Ram', and 'Hari Krishna Hare
Rama', lead by a 'kirtan walla' on harmonium with accompaniment of
Indian Drum and small cymbals and sung by all the people in the temple.
There are many rules of conduct at the Neem Karoli Baba
Ashram. Examples of these rules (which are all basically 'no'
statements): No smoking. No shoes or chai cups in the temple room. Only vegetables and non-meat items are consumed. No eggs, garlic, or onions are allowed. There is a playground but parents must be with their children. Visitors to the ashram and temple are treated very courteously by the staff. If you have even the slightest question about rules or procedures feel totally free to ask a staff member (called 'caretakers' at the ashram).
 Neem Karoli Baba Maharajji Hindu Festivals have been held at Neem Karoli Baba Ashram's
Hanuman Temple for around 30 years or more, now. These festivals
include 'Shivaratri (Winter), Hanuman Jayanti (Hanuman's Birthday -
Spring), Guru Poornima (Day of honoring the Guru - Summer), Mahasamadhi
Bhandara (day of honor for the day Neem Karoli Baba left His body in
Vrindavan, India, 9/11 1973 - Late Summer), Durga Puja (10 day festival
to honor the goddess Durga who rides upon a tiger - Fall)
While only devotees of Sri Neem Karoli Baba are permitted to
stay in the ashram, this remains a pleasant place for people of all
religions to visit on a daily basis and to relax and enjoy the peace,
sense of safety and tranquility of Maharajji's home in America...
More information about this ashram and temple can be found at nkbashram.org
More information about Sri Neem Karoli Baba Maharajji can be found at neemkarolibaba.com.
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