The Saint in the Blanket traces the life and enduring legacy of Neem Karoli Baba, the Indian saint whose presence transformed a small Himalayan valley into a place of pilgrimage, while his influence travelled far beyond borders.

Known to his devotees simply as Maharaj-ji, he left behind no formal doctrine and almost no writing. Much of what survives is a floating oral history: memories passed from one devotee to another, and stories preserved within families across generations. Drawing from this living tradition, the book follows his wanderings, his self-effacing devotion and the extraordinary encounters that came to define his legend. At their heart lies a simple ethic: love everyone, serve everyone, feed everyone, and remember God.

The narrative also follows those who carried Maharaj-ji's legacy into worlds he never sought to enter. Ram Dass introduced generations of Western readers to his guru, while Krishna Das brought the practice of kirtan to audiences around the globe. Larry Brilliant found in Maharaj ji's call to service an impulse that would shape his work in public health.

His reach continued to grow after his death in 1973. Steve Jobs travelled to India hoping to meet him, only to arrive too late. Years later, Mark Zuckerberg visited Kainchi Dham on Jobs's advice. Julia Roberts has also spoken of the impression made on her by an image of Neem Karoli Baba.

Part biography and part record of remembrance, The Saint in the Blanket explores how a man who resisted fame continues to inspire seekers across cultures more than half a century later.