The Baba Keenaram Sthal, Kring-Kund located at Anandbagh, Shivala in the holy city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is regarded as the epicentre of Aghori tradition. Existing since the creation of the universe, Aghoracharya Maharajshree Baba Keenaramji came here and rejuvenated this place during the 16th century.

During the Puranic period, Sri Sumedha Rishi had rejuvenated this place. King Harishchandra too passed his final test of Satya or Truth here when his son was bitten by a snake at the bank of the pond. From 6th or 7th century, the place was covered with dense forests. It is said that Gautam Buddha also went through this place to attain the final Shakti.

History tells us that during the 16th century period, society was in a very miserable state. Hatred, untouchability, poverty and many other problems prevailed. So Lord Shiva took the form of an Aghori and came in the name of “Aghoracharya Baba Keenaramji Maharaj” and rejuvenated this place again. Generally, people think that he was the founder of Aghor of this school. But it is not so.

Born in 1601 A.D. in Ramgarh village, then in Varanasi district, Baba Keenaram dedicated himself to this divine cause after he attained the highest spiritual state. He initiated the throne (Abbot) tradition in Kring-Kund and was the first Peethadheshwar (Abbot) of Aghoracharya Baba Keenaram Aghor Sodh Evam Seva Sansthan. Viveksar, one of the many books written by Baba Keenaram, is said to be the most authentic treatise on the principles of Aghor. His other surviving books are Ramgita, Ramrasal and Unmuniram.

The first founder or Peethadheswar of Baba Keenaram Sthal had conveyed to his disciples before he took samadhi on 21 September 1771 that he would re-incarnate as the 11th Peethadheswar of the Keenarm Sthal. On 10 February 1978, a 9-year-old boy named Aghoracharya Maharajshree Baba Siddharth Gautam Ramji, was crowned the 11th Peethadheswar and is none other than Baba Keenaramji, claim his devotees.

Baba Keenaram had direct vision of Bhagwan Dattatreya who was in the guise of Baba Kaluram and is known as the Guru or spiritual teacher who awakened the consciousness of Aghor in Baba Keenaram. The place – Kautila – preserved in Krim-Kunda Sthal bears testimony to their meeting. The statue of Dutt Mahaprabhu in the Sthal is a reminder of the presence of Bhagwan Dattatreya. Krim-Kund (Sthal) is considered the meeting ground of two thoughts-streams, the Kailashi and Girnari tradition and stands for Oneness of all sects that is Shaivishm, Vaishnavism and Shakta.

(For a detailed biography of the life of Baba Keelaram visit: http://www.shriaghoreshwar.org/en/shri-kina-ram-baba-2/)