The journey to Pilot Baba Ashram isn’t just about reaching the meditation center it’s known for.
You’ll also get to worship at the Somnath Temple. Stop by Gundu’s dummy plane. Enjoy a picnic at Gundu itself. And take in sweeping views from the Ghyampe Danda Viewpoint.
But hold on! There’s a lot you need to know before heading there. If you skip this article, chances are you might just end up taking the wrong route. (Yep, happened to us. Seriously!)
And who really was this Pilot Baba? Was he actually a pilot? Surprisingly, yes!
I’ve recently dug up a ton of info about him, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.
Here’s everything you need to know about Pilot Baba, the ashram, and the temple he left behind.
Key Facts About Pilot Baba Ashram
| Location | Ghyampe Danda, Anantalingeshwar, Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, Bagmati Province |
| Mode of Transportation | Private Vehicle |
| Distance (from Koteshwor) | 15 km |
| Time to Reach | 30 mins approx. |
| Best Time to Visit | All seasons |
| Opening Hours | 8 AM to 5 PM |
| Entry Fee | NPR 30 |
| Meditation Center | Saturday (8 AM to 2 PM) |
Who Was Pilot Baba?
Before diving into the details, let’s first get to know who’s behind the ashram. There are surprising details that I do not want you to miss. Do read it all!
From Indian Air Force to Spiritual Path
Pilot Baba was actually an Indian Air Force pilot named Kapil Singh, who later turned into a spiritual guru. He was the same person who fought in the 1962 Sino-Indian war, as well as the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.
What triggered him to become a guru was his escape from death during a flight failure.
The Divine Encounter That Changed His Life
The story is quite interesting. He had lost all control during one of the combats in the 1962 war.
Later, he claimed that an apparition of Gorakhnath (some sources claim it was the mystical spiritual guru, Hari Baba) appeared and guided his plane to a safe landing. This became the turning point in his career.
After retiring from the Indian Air Force at the age of 33, he spent seven years in the Himalayas in deep meditation.
His Spiritual Training and Nepal Connection
Reportedly, he received this spiritual initiation from a Nepali saint named Hari Giri in Makawanpur during the mid-1970s. He went on to set up ashrams in both India and Nepal, including the one we’re talking about in Bhaktapur (source).
He gained fame for reportedly entering samadhi (a meditative death-like state) 110 times. Moreover, he claimed to have met mythological figures like Ashwatthama from the Mahabharata (source).
Controversies and Fraud Allegations
Everything sounds fake and rubbish, doesn’t it? Well, Pilot Baba did face multiple controversies (source 1, source 2, source 3):
- Fake underground samadhi stunt in 1980: He arranged for a follower to be buried for 10 days, but the person died. Experts later confirmed that surviving underground that long without air was impossible.
- Underwater samadhi exposed in 1992: Pilot Baba was seen submerged for 5 days, but it turned out there was a hidden cabin in the tank.
- Secret tunnels used in 1996 burial: Investigators revealed concealed pathways were built so he could breathe and stay alive during burial samadhi.
- 360° money-laundering sting in 2019: A TV sting caught him agreeing to launder £1.2 million in black money through his ashram for a 30% fee.
It’s surprising how he ended up coming to Nepal and establishing the Pilot Baba Ashram at Ghyampe Danda in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur. In fact, he even offered shelter to Nepali pilgrims during events like the Kumbh Mela.
I’m quite amazed by how very little information is known to us regarding babas like him. But one thing is for sure—he did help Nepali pilgrims, and his ashram construction has attracted tons of local tourists.
Despite all those allegations, his followers still revered him for his devotion and spiritual reach, even here in Nepal. But those questions about fraud are something that seriously needs to be looked into.
What do you think? Don’t hesitate to comment below!
Coming to the present, Pilot Baba has already passed away. That happened on August 20, 2024, in New Delhi at the age of 86. Truly, his followers were in a state of loss. But whether his story from pilot to sage is true or fraudulent. Only God can tell! Still, rest in peace…
How to Reach Pilot Baba Ashram in Suryabinayak?
The best way to reach Pilot Baba Ashram is by private vehicle. Both two-wheelers and four-wheelers can go all the way up.
And yes! There’s a proper parking space available right at the entrance.
But once you park, you’ll need to walk a bit through the street vendors to finally get to the main entrance gate. That walk is short and easy. But getting to the right road? That’s where things get interesting.
Let me be honest. Google Maps fails you here!
And those signboards along the way? They’re as fraudulent as Pilot Baba himself. (No offense to his believers, but you get the joke.)
So, here’s the right route to Pilot Baba:
- First, head to Suryabinayak Ganesh Temple in Bhaktapur.
- From there, take the Ghyampe Danda Road, the same one that later connects to Lakuri Bhanjyang.
- Keep following that road. It’s smooth and fully paved.
- Somewhere along the way, on your right-hand side, you’ll see the Pilot Baba Ashram entrance gate. Take that turn.
- Continue a bit further, and you’ll reach the parking area.
Why not the other route? Oh, let me tell you. We made that mistake!
It’s completely off-road halfway through. Not a fun kind of off-road. It’s the kind where your bike’s suspension starts crying for help, and your scooter might straight-up give up. You need extra men to push your vehicle through. And for four-wheelers? No chance, baby.
We took that route just to test it out (because I’ve visited Pilot Baba Ashram before), and yeah, it was a bad idea. We immediately turned back and came the proper way.
Unless you’re in the mood to test your vehicle’s endurance or break a few parts for the thrill of adventure, stick to the maps and boards on the road.
Can You Hike to Pilot Baba Ashram?
If you like hikes, then yes. It’s possible to walk up to the ashram as well.
Since most of the path is paved and easy to walk, there isn’t much reason to hike unless you want the experience or are avoiding vehicles.
If you’re coming on a private vehicle and want to hike, you can get off either at Gundu or Ganesh Mandir in Suryabinayak and start your hike from there.
From Ganesh Mandir, it’s roughly 2.5 km uphill to the ashram, and from Gundu, it’s about 1.8 km. The hike usually takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your pace.
Major Attractions in Pilot Baba Ashram
Once you enter the premises, you need to pay NPR 30 per person. Then, you can proceed to explore the two main attractions here: the ashram itself and the Somnath Temple.
But trust me, there’s even more to explore in the region. Let’s break it down:
Peaceful Escape at the Meditation Center
The ashram houses framed photos of Pilot Baba himself. There’s also a paduka (foot shrine) that devotees bow down to. Even I did it back then, not knowing much about Pilot Baba (I’m still not sure if I did the right thing after researching about him).
Inside the ashram, there’s a meditation hall that remains open on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It was empty during our Saturday visit though.
You aren’t allowed to take photos inside, but you can donate money. Just make sure to be silent and remove your shoes before entering!
Somnath Temple Opposite to Ashram
This is a Shiva temple with a shivaling placed at its center. Be sure to make your way here because, in my opinion, this is the best spot inside the whole premises.
From the temple complex, you can enjoy wide views in winter as it is great for sunbathing and picnic vibes.
Enjoy View From Ghyampe Danda
On your way up, don’t miss out on making a quick stop at Ghyampe Danda Wiewpoint. You’ll be greeted with sweeping views of the Bhaktapur district and even far-off areas of Kathmandu.
Since the name itself is ‘Ghyampe Danda’, it’s directly linked with alcohol, and you might be eager to try too. If you do, make sure not to drink and drive.
There are police checks on the road as well. You see, your peaceful retreat might turn into paying a traffic fine.
Gundu Dummy Plane & Picnic Spot
This is one of the places you can stop by on your way to Pilot Danda, especially if you’re heading toward Gundu for a picnic. But let’s be real! It’s not as great as it’s been hyped on social media.
The place isn’t a plane crash site. It’s actually a dummy aircraft that the Nepal Army once used for training purposes.
There’s little to nothing inside the plane, so I wouldn’t suggest to climb up. Still, if you’re already in the area, it’s a cool detour to stretch your legs and take some photos/videos.
Expected Budget For Your Pilot Baba Trip
This Saturday trip won’t cost you much. In fact, if you decide not to spend, you could easily complete the entire visit with zero expenses (unless you count fuel).
But for those who enjoy munching while they explore, there are a few restaurants nearby where you can grab light snacks.
If you’re planning a picnic, the street vendors right outside the ashram have enough snacks to keep you full. From Chatpate to Pani Puri and dry snacks, it’s all there!
We personally didn’t spend more than NPR 500 per person for the entire trip. That covered the entrance fee, fuel, and some light snacks. So yeah, you can easily plan this as a budget-friendly day out!
Final Words
That was it for this episode of the Saturday Diaries series. We covered Pilot Baba Ashram, Somnath Temple, the Gundu Dummy Plane, and the Gundu Picnic Spot all in one go!
I’m also working on a video series for this trip, so do follow me on my social media to catch all the behind-the-scenes moments.
And hey, don’t forget to bookmark this site if you’re into discovering travel gems across Nepal.
Happy traveling to Bhaktapur!
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