Meherabad is a universal spiritual retreat in Arangaon village about 9 kilometres (6 mi), south of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India. It is home to Indian Spiritual Master Meher Baba's Samadhi Mandir.[1] Meherabad was originally established as an ashram by Meher Baba in 1923.[2][3][4]
Meherabad | |
|---|---|
Pilgrimage Site | |
Meher Baba's Samadhi Mandir and Sanctum Sanctorum at upper Meherabad Dhuni worship at lower Meherabad Dhuni site at lower Meherabad Memorial Tower at lower Meherabad Mandali House at Meherazad Meher Pilgrim Retreat Museum at upper Meherabad | |
  Meherabad  Meherabad | |
| Coordinates: 19°01′46″N 74°43′09″E / 19.029539°N 74.719042°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Ahmednagar |
| Elevation | 672 m (2,205 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 414001 |
| Website | ambppct |
Amartithi is celebrated in Meherabad every year on January 31 commemorating entombment of Meher Baba's physical form on January 31, 1969.[5] The word "Amartithi" was coined by Meher Baba's Mandali and means "deathless day" (Literally, amar, deathless; tithi, day). Also translated as "eternal date" or "date with the Eternal."[6] Around 10,000-20,000 overnight and 30,000-40,000 daytime visitors from all over the world gather at Meherabad for the three-day program.[7]
Amartithi is celebrated by Meher Baba's followers all over the world, including in the United States, Europe, and Australia, and, besides "Silence Day" (July 10, commemorating the commencement of Meher Baba's lifelong silence), "Christmas Day" (December 25), and "Meher Baba's Birthday" (February 25), it is considered among the most significant holidays among followers of Meher Baba.[8]
At Meherabad the climax of the event takes place on Amartithi day itself when the assembled crowd keeps silence for fifteen minutes in honor of the physical passing of Meher Baba at 12:15 p.m. on January 31, 1969. Meher Baba's flag is flown over Meherabad during Amartithi.[9][10]
Honoring the sacred Dhuni
editOn the 12th day of every month, the sacred Dhuni fire is worshiped at the dhuni site in lower Meherabad.[11]
Memorial Tower
editThe foundation stone of the memorial tower was laid by Meher Baba on 23 December 1944.[12] In December 2019, the memorial tower designed by resident architect Ted Judson was inaugurated on the land consecrated by Meher Baba at lower Meherabad. The Tower has name inscriptions of Departed Meher Baba lovers specially designated by Meher Baba.[12]
Pilgrim Retreats
editMeherabad is home to Meher Pilgrim Center, Meher Pilgrim Retreat, Hostels (A-B-C-D), Dharmshala, and Andhra Rest House serving as housing facilities to pilgrims.[13] The Pilgrim Center and Pilgrim Retreat are closed during the hot Indian summer from 15 March to 15 June of each year. The Meher Pilgrim Retreat is a 88,000-square-foot (8,200 m2) housing facility inaguarted on June 15, 2006.[14][15]
Gilori Shah's Tomb
editGilori Shah had his final resting place in Meherabad when Meher Baba established his Ashram.[16]
Lower Meherabad Sites
edit- Gilori Shah's tomb
- Dhuni Site
- Neem Tree and Original Well
- Upasni Serai Site
- Men Mandali's tombs
- Meher Baba's Table-House
- Meher Baba's Jhopdi
- Dr. Donkin's Quarters
- Mandali Halls, Meher Pilgrim Center, Hostels (A-B-C-D), Dharmshala, and Andhra Rest House
Upper Meherabad Sites
edit- Meher Baba's Samadhi Mandir
- Woman Mandali's tombs
- Museums
- Amphitheaters
- New Site
- Meher Pilgrim Retreat
AMBPPCT
editIn 1959, Meher Baba established the "Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust" a registered Public Charitable Trust in India to fulfil the objectives laid down in the Trust Deed given by Meher Baba. The Trust is responsible for various activities at Meherabad, including preserving and disseminating Meher Baba’s universal teachings and message of love, compassion, and oneness. On June 17, 1967, Meher Baba executed His Last Will and Testament, in which He bequeathed His property, tangible and intangible. In February 2021 the Board of Trustees approved a Master Plan for the Trust that encompasses the future development of Meherabad, Meherazad, and Meher Nazar. Framroze Mistry is the current Trust Chairman. The AMBPPC trust is located south of Meherabad at King's Road, Post Bag 31, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.[17]
Medical Facilities
editThe AMBPPCT provides free Medical Care to nearby communities and villages.[18]
- Meher Health Centre - Primary AMBPPCT public health center opened in 1975 at the “Family Quarters” grounds Ahmednagar
- Meher Pilgrim Retreat Dispensary - Outpatient clinic ministers to the medical needs of Meherabad pilgrims
- The Meher Hospital - Hosts a daily consultation for Trust employees and their families
- Meher Free Dispensary (Homeopathy)
Educational Programmes
edit- Meher English School[19]
- Physical Education Centre
- Spiritual Academy
Meher Darbar
editMeher Darbar is located at MS SH 10 near PRO office is a one stop destination in Meherabad for religious products, and internet cafe to pilgrims. It is owned by resident Baba lover Pushkar Jangale. Meher Darbar is a micro enterprise engaged in the retail sale of Meher Baba's literature, magazines, photographs, decorative items and clothing accessories.[20]
Meherazad
editMeherazad was originally Meher Baba Mandali's House established by Meher Baba at Pimpalgaon Malvi, Shendi, south of Ahmednagar.[21][22][23] Meherazad gardens and seclusion hill are open to visitors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. A shuttle bus service for pilgrims is available from the Meher Pilgrim Retreat in Meherabad to Meherazad.[24]
Gallery
edit- Meherabad
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Pilgrims during Amartithi -
Meher Baba's Tomb inside view -
Pilgrims at Amartithi -
Pilgrims at Memorial Tower
References
edit- ^ Bowker, John (2003). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. Online: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780191727221.
The Baba's tomb at Meherabad is now a centre of pilgrimage. While it has attracted several thousand people in the West since the 1950s, the overwhelming majority of 'Baba lovers' are still to be found in India.
- ^ "Meherabad, A Rural Town in India and Site of the Meher Pilgrim Retreat". 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Guide to Meherabad". ahmednagarlive.in.
- ^ "Film actor Salman Khan at Meher Baba Samadhi Meherabad". 22 November 2014.
- ^ "AVATAR MEHER BABA". www.speakingtree.in.
- ^ "Amartithi 2021".
- ^ "Amartithi – A Magical Three Day Celebration in Meherabad, India". 1 February 2016.
- ^ "On 31 January Meher Baba dropped his body in 1969 so this day is celebrated as Amartithi every year". 2 May 2009.
- ^ "Meher Baba death anniversary: How a boy born in Pune became one of the major spiritual figures of the 20th century". News9live. 31 January 2023.
- ^ "Amartithi". Meher Mount. 26 January 2024.
- ^ "Meher Baba lited Dhuni which is now lit every 12 th day of the Month at lower Meherabad". 19 July 2018.
- ^ a b "Meherabad Memorial Tower, MS, India". meherbabatravels jimdo page!.
- ^ "A Guide To Traveling To The Meher Pilgrim Retreat in Meherabad, India". 9 February 2015.
- ^ "In His Service, A Newsletter from Meherabad, December 1998" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ^ "Attacked in Ahmednagar, US citizen dies of injuries in hospital". DNA India.
- ^ "On Sacred Ground". Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust.
- ^ "Pilgrimage Sites". Meherabode.
- ^ "Medical Facilities". Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust.
- ^ "Educational Programmes". Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust.
- ^ Check, The Company. "Meher Darbar | Ahmednagar, Maharashtra". www.thecompanycheck.com.
- ^ "Meherazad (India) Meher Baba's Home". 27 April 2009.
- ^ "Christmas carols at Meherazad 2010 (Part 1 of 3)" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Most Glorious Meherazad in 8k" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Meherazad – A Little Piece of Paradise on Earth". 3 November 2015.
External links
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