In 1977, Ram Dass, who was given his name by his beloved teacher, MaharajJi (Neem Karoli Baba) while in India studying with him ten years earlier, 
commissioned a statue of Hanuman to honor his memory. Baba Ji had left this earthly plain four years earlier and his devotees and students were feeling the loss, in need of a place to gather, sing, perform acts of service.
Ram Dass said “I will donate the statue to an Ashram. This we will create. Then, we will have a home.”
The statue was finished in 1978 but the Ashram’s location was still up in the air.
A Taos resident, Vishu Magee, 
who had been with Ram Dass studying in India, and who loved Maharajji, offered up the use of an empty stall in a milk farm he had purchased near Taos Plaza 
for storage until a proper Ashram could be built.
By 1981, the farm had become the ashram. People from all over world, many of them now followers of Ram Dass who was carrying forward his guru’s teachings, came for satsang, puja, kirtan nights, and merriment.
Maharajji taught four basic principles: Love everyone; Serve everyone; Feed everyone; Remember God in everything.
He emphasized living a simple life based in selfless service as one’s form of practical devotion. He loved the Hindu deity, Hanuman and identified with him thoroughly.
Hanuman is the devoted soldier, protector, and servant of God. Babajji loved the spirit of playfulness in the warrior monkey, carrying that spirit forward into his teachings. 
Babajji has been described as a very humble, kind person who was known to laugh and tease others affectionately, Yet he worried about them having enough to eat; he always make sure his visitors were fed. Both physically and spiritually.
Maharajji stressed the importance of surrendering our worries and trusting in Divine protection.
Don’t worry, be happy. Love God. Serve others. Be here now.
As a result of these emphases, the Neem Karoli Bab Ashram has, since its beginning, provided a daily meal free of charge to anyone who wishes to eat. They feed more than 500 people per week.
I skipped the meal but I did enjoy a cup of delicious chai, also always available. Thank you, Babajji.
In 2009, the Ashram expanded.
This was a controversial move, with the City of Taos originally denying the application. They cited out of control traffic, noise from visitors, and neighbors, who had originally supported the ashram, believing it had failed to live up to its purpose.
The Ashram sued the City on the grounds of religious discrimination and won. They also took the criticisms to heart, recruiting new leadership to return the ashram to basics.
It has became the beautiful facility we see today. 
The gardens are a peaceful place to sit or visit. 
There are two rooms available, free of charge, to visiting devotees (who make plans in advance) for their use. Daily services are offered online (Aarti) and regular teachings, kirtan worship sessions, and retreats are scheduled.
Many famous people come to the temple and many are the devotees of Maharah-Ji. 
Julia Roberts never met him in person but says his face, his essence, drew her to Hinduism.
Many also are the followers of Ram Dass, who also left this earthly plane, but whose foundation, Love Serve Remember, carries on the teachings.
This year, a new Temple to Hanuman, with seed funding provided by Ram Dass before his death, was finally completed. 
Inside the temple 
It will be formally consecrated May 10 and 11th with 24-hour Hanuman Chalisa chanting. This is a big deal. Doubtless, devotees will come from all over the world for this joyous occasion.
The doors are unlocked in the meantime for visitors to enter, sit, or even sing, if so moved.
I was excited to be able to enter in person.
I was fortunate to experience a modest amount of study with Ram Dass before his death, and after, with Lama Surya Das,
I also love the natural high and interconnectedness which comes from singing Kirtan with spiritual kirtan masters like Krishna Das and Deva Premal.
God/Goddess, the Divine, enjoys many faces, many names, welcomes many avenues of worship. Kirtan is a joyful one.
Here is the statue of Hanuman Ram Dass commissioned, 
in its own place of honor at last.
inside the beautiful temple, simple yet rich in energy.
In a quiet corner, we find a statue of Ganesh with Lingam
There are peacocks calling and parading throughout the grounds. This one put on quite a show for me.
“It is better to see God in everything rather than try to figure it out”. Maharajji