Who was the ‘incarnation of Lord Shiva’ Baba Keenaram? Whose stories of miraculous powers are still famous

Varanasi: India is the land of saints and mahatmas, where many proven men whose life stories still inspire people. One such great saint was Baba Keenaram, who is considered to be the pioneer of the Aghor tradition and the incarnation of Lord Shiva himself. Born in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, the story of Baba Keenaram is full of miracles and spiritual power.

Miracle of birth and childhood
According to beliefs, Baba Kinaram was born in 1601 in a Kshatriya family in Ramgarh village of Chandauli. It is said that after birth he did not cry at all for three days, which made the family worried. When women started crying with them, the child Kinaram suddenly said, “Why are people crying?” Everyone was surprised to hear this. After this incident, he was named Kinaram. His childhood was also full of many miraculous events.

Guru’s discovery and establishment of Aghor tradition
In his youth, he gave up the house and went out in search of knowledge. He made Baba Shivanand his first guru. He then went to Girnar Mountains to visit Lord Dattatreya, who directed him to go to Kashi (Varanasi). He met Baba Kaluram in Kashi, who was a great saint of Aghor Panth. Baba Keenaram considered him his guru and attained accomplishment in Aghor Sadhana under his guidance.

After Guru Kaluram, Baba Keenaram carried forward the Aghor tradition. He founded the ‘Cream Kund’ near Harishchandra Ghat in Varanasi, which is today considered the most sacred place for the Aghoris and devotees around the world. It is also called the headquarters of the Aghor tradition. He opposed the evils spread in the society and described human service as the greatest religion.

It is said that Baba Keenaram lived for 170 years and saved countless people from his powers. His stories are still narrated with great reverence in Varanasi and its surrounding areas.