Baba Keenaram

Aghoracharya Baba Keenaram was born on Aghor Chaturdashi (Bhadrapad) in 1601 A.D at Ramgarh village of Varanasi district (now Chandauli) of Uttar Pradesh state of India. The entire region became overjoyed when the childless couple Shree Akbar Singh and Mansa Devi finally got their child. After the birth, the child neither cried nor suckled at his mother's breast for three days. After three days when three monks (who were believed to be manifestations of Lord Sadashiva—Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh) came there, took the child in their arms and whispered something into his ears. Amazingly the child began to cry for the first time since birth. It is from that day onwards the Lolark Shashti festival is celebrated as Sanskar(Shashti, usually celebrated in Hindu religion after five days of birth) of Maharaj Shree Baba Kinaram. With the blessing of Hinglaj Mata (Chief Goddess of Aghora) at Lyari district of Balochistan (in present-day Pakistan), Keenaram started his spiritual journey with the message of social welfare and humanity. Baba Kaluram, known to be a Guru (spiritual teacher) awakened the consciousness of "Aghor" in Keenaram.

Keenaram established himself in the city of Varanasi for the service of the people and enlightened them with ancient wisdom. He has mentioned principles of Aghor in his books Viveksar, Ramgita, Ramrasal and Unmuniram. The book Viveksar written by Baba Keenaram is said to be the most authentic treatise on the principles of Aghor. During his tour, Keenaram first stopped at the dwelling of "Grihast Saint", Shiva Das for a few days. Shiva Das observed Keenarm activities very minutely and was impressed by the extraordinary qualities, suspecting that he is an Avatar or a reincarnation. One day while on way to bath in river Ganges, Shiva Das handed over his entire belongings to the boy Keenaram and hid himself in nearby bushes. He observed that the river Ganges become very restless as the boy approached closer. The level of water started to rise, and suddenly settled down only after touching the feet of Keenaram. Keenaram was known as the biggest saint of the Era of Aghor tradition also known as Lord Shiva tradition.

Keenaram was the first peethadheswar (founder) of Baba Keenaram Sthal,[4] the headquarters/pilgrim of Aghors across the world.

He is said to have lived for 170 years. His body is buried in a tomb, along with Goddess Hinglaj in a yantra (a mystical geometrical shape to represent the presence of goddess's form), at Baba Keenaram Sthal.

His birth anniversary is celebrated annually in Chandauli district. In 2019, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the ceremony and announced that Keenaram's birthplace would be developed by the government of Uttar Pradesh as a tourist place.[1]

• Aghorpeeth
• Sonoma Ashram
• Aghoris
• Baba Kina Ram Sthal
• Kinaram Baba
• Varanasi