MEHER BABA'S SAMADHI

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Meher Baba's samadhi Photo by Win Coates 'Meher Baba's samadhi' is the ''samadhi'' (tomb shrine) of Meher Baba located in Meherabad, India and is a place of pilgrimage for his followers. Located about six miles south of Ahmednagar, the samadhi structure itself was completed in August 1938, more than 30 years before Baba's death in January 1969. The samadhi is located at . Contents History of the samadhi Interment Today See also References External links History of the samadhi One of Meher Baba's close disciples, Faredoon Driver, shows off Baba's samadhi at Meherabad. Photo by Win Coates In June 1927 a cabin of bamboo matting and tin was built for Meher Baba on Meherabad Hill. It had a door and window on the east side. In July of the same year, a pit four feet wide and six feet deep was dug in it, lined with stone and masonry and covered by wooden planks. It was referred to as the Khadda – the Ditch or Pit-Room, by the mandali. Later the tin was replaced by mud-mortared stones and more windows were added. From August 16th Baba started using this crypt-cabin mostly for staying in seclusion. In December, five temporary rooms (meditation cells) were built next to the building for some of his mandali. [1] In May 1934 a severe hail storm tore away the tin roof and it had to be repaired. [2] In 1938 Baba ordered a dome to be built over it, at which time everyone came to know that this was to be the site of Meher Baba's future tomb. The old stone walls were torn down and replaced by black stones which came from the original Post Office building of the estate, which had to be demolished the year before, after an order of the British government, because of its close proximity to the railway tracks. [3] In the first part of August 1938 the dome was complete with four concrete models (a Christian cross, a Hindu temple, a Muslim mosque and a Zoroastrian fire) fitted onto the corners of the roof. [4] Shortly after, Swiss artist Helen Dahm painted colorful murals on the inside walls of the underground crypt, completing them in November 1938. Interment Meher Baba's body was brought to the samadhi by ambulance after his death on January, 31 1969 and was interred on February 7, 1969. During those seven days, in compliance with Meher Baba's wish, Cole Porter's song ''Begin the Beguine'' was played repeatedly on a record player. During this time people came from all over India and a few even from the west to view the body. All India Radio mistakenly announced Baba's passing at 10:00 P.M. on the 31st (his actual time of death was 12:15 P.M.). The next day, announcements were made on the radio several times during the day and BBC also broadcast the news. [5] Today About 30,000 visitors pilgrimage to Meher Baba's samadhi each year, mostly on the anniversary of his passing known as Amartithi. The site is considered by his followers to be of enormous spiritual significance. See also ★ 1969 Darshan References 1. Kalchuri, Bhau: "Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba", ''Manifestation, Inc.'' 1986. pp. 956, 989 2. Kalchuri, Bhau: "Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba", ''Manifestation, Inc.'' 1986. p. 1869 3. Kalchuri, Bhau: "Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba", ''Manifestation, Inc.'' 1986. p. 1806 4. Kalchuri, Bhau: "Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba", ''Manifestation, Inc.'' 1986. p. 2307 5. Kalchuri, Bhau: "Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba", ''Manifestation, Inc.'' 1986. p. 6721, 6722 External links ★ Photo of samadhi interior ★ About Helen Dahm who painted the interior murals