A Journey of Faith and Curiosity
Before I describe the route and means to reach the sacred Karauli Shankar Mahadev Dhaam, I feel compelled to share what drew me toward this journey in the first place.
One fine day, I stumbled upon a YouTube video that left me both intrigued and unsettled. The video showcased individuals who were seemingly not in a sound mental state—speaking and behaving as though another entity had taken over. These individuals were brought before Babaji, the spiritual head of the Dhaam. What followed was astonishing: the person would begin to speak in a completely different voice and personality, as though someone else was communicating through them. After a spiritual interaction and treatment at the Dhaam, these individuals were later interviewed again—completely healed and back to their normal selves.
This phenomenon led me to question the nature of consciousness, healing, and what truly happens in such mystical places. That’s when I came across the concept of Smriti Vigyaan—a discipline rooted in ancient Indian spiritual science, believed to deal with memory, subconscious imprints, and karmic energies. To explore and understand this deeper, I began my journey to Karauli Dhaam.
How to Reach Karauli Dhaam
Karauli Dhaam gets its name from the village Karauli, located approximately 17 km from Kanpur Central Railway Station, in the heart of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur itself is a city of rich historical relevance and an important hub of industrial development, situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga.
By Train:
Kanpur Central is a major railway junction, well-connected to almost every part of the country. When I searched for trains from my city, Hyderabad, I found that direct trains to Kanpur often run full due to high demand. However, I discovered that most of these routes pass through Veerangana Jhansi Laxmibai Junction—a station with better connectivity and fewer reservations issues. Jhansi also holds great historical significance and serves as a convenient transit point.
From Jhansi, you have two main options:
- By Local Train: Local trains run regularly between Jhansi and Kanpur, taking about 4 hours.
- By Bus: State-run buses are also available and take approximately 8 hours to reach Kanpur.
Within Kanpur:
Once you reach Kanpur Central, head to Rama Devi Chauraha—a prominent and well-connected junction about 5 km from the station. You can get there via auto-rickshaws or app-based cabs.
From Rama Devi:
- Shared tempos and autos frequently ply to Karauli village.
- If shared transport is unavailable, you can hire a private auto (it may cost more but is more convenient).
⚠️ Note: Since Karauli is a village on the outskirts, public transportation becomes sparse after 6 PM. It’s advisable to travel during the morning or early afternoon hours.
Staying at the Dhaam
As you enter Karauli village, you’ll be greeted by the Luv-Kush Ashram—the spiritual center and main destination. For devotees and travelers coming from afar, the ashram offers:
- Paid rooms with basic amenities
- A large community hall named Kamakhya Hall for minimal-cost group stays