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Meher Nazar Compound
Upper Meherabad Lower
Meherabad
Meherazad
Additional information is available from the Pilgrim Reservations Office and from markers at many of these locations.
Avatar Meher Baba Trust.
This is a public charitable organization set up by Meher Baba in 1959 and
supported today by donations from Baba followers all over the world. Divided
into two parts, the Trust provides for Meher Baba's close mandali and others He
named as beneficiaries, and administers a variety of other charitable projects.
Recent activities at the Meherabad site of Meher Baba's Tomb have included the
development of surrounding lands, construction of residential facilities for
pilgrims and staff, as well as a clinic, hospital, school buildings, and pilgrim
hostel.
Pilgrim Registration
Office. This office
handles reservations for the Meher Pilgrim Centre, registration of foreign
pilgrims, as well as a variety of practical matters. Consult the office staff if
you have questions or need assistance with airline tickets, visas, or
transportation. Lockers are available for storing valuables such as passports,
tickets, and travelers' checks. Luggage may be also stored for short periods
(not overnight) in a wooden trunk just outside the office. (All items are left
at the owner's risk and are not the responsibility of any of the staff.)
Outgoing letters with correct postage may be mailed from the office.
Registration facilities are
available from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Hours for general office matters are
Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
Caretaker's Office.
The Caretaker's Office provides emergency assistance at times when the
Registration Office is closed. The Caretaker's Office has a list of doctors and
medical clinics in the area.
Ahmednagar Avatar Meher
Baba Centre. This
Centre was opened by Meher Baba in 1959. Meetings, consisting mainly of Indian
devotional music, are held every Saturday between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Visitors are
welcome. Extensive musical programs are held during Meher Baba's birthday
celebration.
Meher Baba's room.
This room in the compound, dedicated to Meher Baba, contains a number of photos
and mementos from the past. Upasni Maharaj himself came and performed Baba's
arti in this room on February 16, 1936.
Meher Nazar Books.
Books by and about Meher Baba are available for sale,
Joy Meher.
Gifts and souvenirs of Meher Baba.
Meher Baba's Samadhi
(Tomb). Known
for many years simply as the "Dome," this small stone structure
contains Meher Baba's physical form. It began as a small hut erected over a pit
where Baba spent a number of months in seclusion. Later the stonework and dome
were erected, and Helen Dahm of Switzerland painted the colorful murals which
adorn the walls on the inside of the Tomb.
The Tomb is open for darshan
from 7:00 am until 7:45 pm. Those who wish to help clean it may come at 6:30 am.
Meher Baba's prayers are recited and His artis sung each day at 7:00 am and 7:00
pm. Visitors are asked to maintain silence in and around the Tomb.
Mehera's Shrine.
Baba's beloved Mehera passed away in May, 1989. In accordance with Avatar Meher
Baba's directive, Mehera's final resting place is by His side, adjacent to His
Samadhi.
Mani's Shrine.
Baba's sister Mani passed away in August, 1996. In accordance with Avatar Meher
Baba's directive, Mani's final resting place is by His side, adjacent to His
Samadhi.
Baba's Room. This
tin and wooden building is the place where Meher Baba's body lay on January 31,
1969, before being placed in His Tomb.The English stretcher used to transport
Baba's body still rests there. This cabin was built in 1935 by Padri, one of
Meher Baba's close disciples. The contrast between the sturdy stone foundation
and tin walls is explained by the fact that Baba originally gave Padri several
months to erect the building. Then when it was only partly done, Baba ordered it
finished in a week, and started using it for His work.
Meher Retreat. Originally
a stone water tank used by the British in World War I, this building has served
a number of uses throughout the years. In the early days Meher Baba spent time
here in seclusion. Later doors and windows were added and the Prem Ashram boys
slept inside. When an upper story and tower were added in 1938, it housed many
of the Eastern and Western women disciples who lived in Meher Baba's ashram.
Today the building is used
as a museum, study hall, and library. In the museum are many things connected
with Meher Baba's life and work. These include His bicycle, samples of His
handwriting, and items of His clothing, including the famous patched Kamli coat.
Also in the museum is the original oil painting of the "Ten Circles"
chart which was painted by Rano Gayley under Baba's direction. The study hall,
formerly the women's dormitory, has charts drawn under Meher Baba's direction
and a number of maps of the blue bus tours. The Meherabad Hill library has
books, pam-phlets, and periodicals by or about Meher Baba. Those staying at the
Meher Pilgrim Centre may check books out from the open sections of this library.
Cage Room. The
small building immediately behind the Tomb contains a room encaged with bamboo
bars. Here Meher Baba stayed in seclusion and did His work with certain masts
(God-intoxicated souls), including the fiery Karim Baba.
Cemetery. Buried
here are the physical remains or personal effects of Meher Baba's parents and a
number of close female disciples. These include Mehera's mother, Nadine Tolstoy,
Nonny Gayley, Mildred Kyle, Norina Matchabelli, Elizabeth Patterson, Adi's
mother Gulmai, Naja Irani, Rano Gayley, Margaret Craske and Kitty Davy. Nearby
are the graves of a number of pets - Chum, Foundy, Kippy, Cracker, Warrior, and
the peacock Moti.
Table House. A
small wooden structure where Meher Baba slept and wrote portions of His
"Book" in 1925-6. Originally it stood near the dhuni.
Dhuni. A
stone platform near the main road that contains a pit for a fire that was first
lit on November 10, 1925, when some local villagers approached Meher Baba about
a severe drought that threatened their crops.Baba told them to return home and
ordered His mandali to build a dhuni. Within minutes of its lighting, rain began
to fall. In later years, Meher Baba invited His followers to throw attachments,
symbolized by sandalwood sticks, into the fire. By Meher Baba's order, the dhuni
continues to be lit on the 12th of each month at sunset.
Old building.
This is one of the earliest buildings at Meherabad. Built in 1925, it was used
as a meeting hall and hostel for visitors. Today it is used for visitors'
accommodations.
Mandali Hall. A
newer building constructed in 1948 and used as a meeting hall and quarters for
staff or visitors.
Rahuri Cabin.
Baba's cabin at the Rahuri mast ashram of 1936-8, which was moved to Meherabad
when the ashram closed.
Cemetery. Buried
here are the physical remains or personal effects of Meher Baba's male disciples
and several masts. These include Ali Shah, Adi K. Irani, Dr. Nilu, Vishnu,
Gustadji, Pleader, Baidul, Dr. Donkin, Sarosh, Nariman, Kaikobad, Chhagan
Master, Harry Kenmore, Padri, Feramji Workingboxwalla, Pendu, Adi Jr., and
Meherjee Karkaria.
Tomb of Gilori Shah.
In 1922, this Muslim saint asked to be buried on this spot saying, "Very
soon after I pass away, a great Master will come and establish his abode
here."
Meher Health Centre.
A free clinic
serving local villagers, first opened in 1974.
Farmer's Educational
Centre. An agricultural project aimed at improving dry-land farming.
Pilgrim hostels.
Large brick structures providing shelter to those who visit Meherabad during
Amartithi.
Meher Hospital. This
hospital makes facilities available for various traveling medical clinics.
Baba's Room.
Baba's room in the main bungalow was the one where He rested at night after
1956. It is still furnished as it was in the latter years. The bed was the one
He used up until January 26, 1969.
Mandali Hall. Meher
Baba met daily with the men mandali in this room. Originally it was a garage and
stable, but later brick walls, a roof, floor, and windows were added. Besides
Baba's chair, the room also contains a number of photos and paintings.
Blue bus. This
bus carried Meher Baba and His women disciples throughout India in the late
1930s through early 1940s. In 1949 its body was put on a brick foundation. After
this, it served as a small cabin where Meher Baba spent forty days during the
period known as the Great Seclusion. The bed inside is the one Meher Baba used
from January 26 through January 31, 1969 (the day that He dropped His physical
form).
New Life Caravan. This
blue wooden caravan was used for a short time as a sleeping compartment by the
women on the New Life. Today it is used as a resting room for visitors. The
front window has been replaced by a stained-glass portrait of Meher Baba,
created by Karin Kaye.
Seclusion Hill.
This hill was formerly known as Lower Tembi Hill. At one time two cabins stood
on its peak for Meher Baba's work in seclusion, but today only traces of their
foundations remain. The top of the hill belongs to the Trust, but the slopes are
public property. The path to the top was blazed by Dr. Donkin, and Meher Baba
Himself led groups of followers to the top.
Meherazad Gardens. A tribute to Mehera's loving care, beautiful flowers flourish in the gardens surrounding Meherazad, despite chronic water shortages. Every day Baba would pass the gardens as He went from His room to Mandali Hall and back again. Many of the films taken of Baba in the later years were filmed here.