Admirer of Mahatma Gandhi
Baba admired Mahatma Gandhi and his passive resistance movement because from the spiritual point of view, it embraced sincerity, truth and non-violence. As for untouchablity, he considered the orthodox Hindu attitude childish and foolish. He believed that the Infinite One could be attained only through love and sincerity. He did not believe in dogmas and ceremonies since God can be realised in every phase of life - art, science, nature and beauty.

Baba's ashram
Meher Baba set up an ashram in what is now called Meherabad, about six kms from the city of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, in April, 1923. This ashram is also Baba's final resting place. The ashram consists of two parts, of which one is on a small hill. A railway line runs in between the two.

The main building on the hill was originally an unused stone water tank, built by the British army during World War I. This tank was soon converted into an ashram and it has become a centre of meditation for the women followers of the Baba.

Originally there were four walls, a door and one window around the tank with a roof made of tin sheets. In 1938 it was roofed over with a dome and is now Baba's Tomb. The inside of the Tomb has been decorated with lovely murals and at each of the four corners of the domed roof are symbols of all the great world religions, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism and Hinduism.

Near Baba's Tomb lie the tombs of his followers and parents. In a separate room adjoining the Tomb compound was Baba's cabin, where he used to rest at night when he was in Meherabad.

In between the Tomb and Baba's cabin is a row of seven little cells for meditation, each with its own door and a common platform in front, built on the site where Baba used to sit and play with the ashram boys.

In 1938, an upper floor was added to the tank building, which used to serve as a dormitory. This building is now used to exhibit Baba's clothes, pictures and other paraphernalia.

In lower Meherabad there is a big hall where Baba used to hold meetings and also a dispensary, which gives free treatment to the poor of the neighbouring villages. In addition to the dispensary, a hospital, an ashram for boys, a leper asylum, and a dharamshalla (free shelter) for the migrant poor has also been built.

The Meherabad estate covers some five acres.

How to get there
Meherabad is about six kilometers outside the city of Ahmednagar. The best way to get to the ashram is by road from Pune city, which is at a distance of under 100 kms. Pune is well connected by rail, road and air from all parts of India.

From Mumbai, it is approximately a six-hour drive to Ahmednagar, via Pune. Of course, in rush hour this could easily increase to seven or even eight hours drive. Once in Ahmednagar one can avail of the State-run transport buses to reach Meherabad. One can also reach Ahmednagar directly by rail.

General Climate
The climate remains pleasant throughout the year with the temperature varying from 15-35 Degrees Celsius. In the monsoon months, namely June to September, there is almost a constant drizzle.

Where to stay
The ashram dharamshalla is the best place to stay in Meherabad. But, in case you just want to visit, then the best idea is to make a daylong journey from Pune city to the ashram and back to Pune. In Pune one can stay at the numerous hotels in the city from 5-star hotels to economy hotels.

For advance reservations at Meherabad, pilgrims can email:
The Pilgrim Centre Reservations and Information at pimco@ambppct.org

One can also write to them at:
Pilgrim Reservations,
Avatar Meher Baba Trust Office,
PO Bag 31
King's Road,
Ahmednagar - 414001
Maharashtra, India.
Phone : (091-241) 34366 and (091-241) 58733

Hotels where you can stay in Pune include:
Hotel Aurora Towers. 1, Moledina Road, Pune 411001. Phone: (091-20) 631818
Hotel Woodland. Sadhu Waswani Circle, Near Pune Railway Station, Pune 411001. Phone: (091-20) 626161.
Le Meridien. Raja Bahadur Mill Road, Pune -411001. Phone: (091-20) 626666.
Hotel Park View. 1194/ 22 A, Ghole Road, Shivajinagar, Pune - 411005. Phone: (091-20) 325045
Hotel Blue Diamond. 11, Koregaon Road, Pune - 411001. Phone: (091-20) 625555.
Hotel Sagar Plaza. 1, Bund Garden Road, Pune -- 411001. Phone: (091-20) 622622.
Hotel Taj Regency. 5, M.G.Road, Pune - 411001. Phone: (091-20) 631571-4.

For further tourist information in Pune you can contact the MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) Tourist Office at the Central Buildings at (091-20) 628169.

Baba's international ashrams
Apart from setting up ashrams for the lepers and the mast (temporarily mad) in India, Baba established two places of pilgrimage outside India, these being the Meher Spiritual Centre, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States and Avatar's Abode, near Brisbane, Australia.

Baba's followers
Baba set up many schools across India, including Meherabad, in order to provide a place for "devotees" or disciples to work. He first established a following in 1922 in Bombay (now Mumbai). In 1931, Baba visited the United States and established a small following over there.

Meher Baba's followings include the Sheriar Foundation, as well as numerous other Meher Baba Groups. Some of these groups such as Meher Baba Information of Berkeley, CA, and the Society for Avatar Meher Baba of New York City were formed after his death in 1969. There are also a number of publications such as MANifestation, Inc., GLOW International, and a kids' magazine, 'Rainbow!' devoted to spreading Baba's message.

The size of Meher Baba's following is estimated at near one hundred thousand in India. He also has thousands of followers' overseas particularly in the United States and Australia, where his ashrams are located.

Sacred books
There are no sacred texts exclusive to followers of Meher Baba, other than the sacred texts of their own denomination. His two most famous writings are the 'Discourses' and 'God Speaks'. 'God Speaks' was written as a spiritual guide for Westerners who are unfamiliar with the sacred universal or cosmic realm of the spirit.

He was influential to many westerners in the 1960s. He succeeded in converting the self-destructive lifestyle of many drug users to a life of community service and personal fulfilment. He preached that no drug, whatever its promise, could help one attain spiritual happiness. "There is no short-cut to the goal except through the grace of the Perfect Master, and drugs, LSD more than others, give only a semblance of "spiritual experience" and a glimpse of a false reality."

Passing of an Avatar
Meher Baba passed away on January 31, 1969, just before his 76th birthday. But his teachings are very much alive and revered even today.

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