Meherabad
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 |
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. Meherabad was originally established as an ashram by Meher Baba in 1923.
Amartithi is celebrated in Meherabad every year on 31 January commemorating entombment of Meher Baba's physical form on 31 January 1969. 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." 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.
Amartithi is celebrated by Meher Baba's followers all over the world, including in the United States, Europe, and Australia, and, besides "Silence Day" (10 July, commemorating the commencement of Meher Baba's lifelong silence), "Christmas Day" (25 December), and "Meher Baba's Birthday" (25 February), it is considered among the most significant holidays among followers of Meher Baba.
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 31 January 1969. Meher Baba's flag is flown over Meherabad during Amartithi.