Meher Pilgrim Retreat
Meherabad and Meherazad to Remain Closed Due to Coronavirus Restrictions
PILGRIM SEASON. Avatar Meher Baba’s Tomb is open year-round. However, overnight accommodation and most other facilities for visitors provided by the Trust, are open during the designated pilgrim season only, which runs from 15 June to 15 March each year. During the Indian summer from 15 March to 15 June, Meherabad facilities are closed, with the exception of Hostel D, which is closed from 15 March to 25 May. Meherazad, Baba’s home located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Meherabad, is closed from 1 March to 30 June each year.
Meher Baba’s Tomb: Open all year round,
Pilgrim Season: 15 June – 15 March
Accommodations at Meher Pilgrim Retreat not available: 15 March – 15 June
Accommodations at Hostel D not available: 15 March – 25 May
Meherazad Closed: 1 March – 30 June
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
There are three types of accommodations available at Meherabad for visitors coming on pilgrimage. These facilities are dedicated to Avatar Meher Baba and are available for Baba-lovers on pilgrimage to Meher Baba’s Samadhi and for those who come to learn more about Him. Most pilgrims come to stay for a few days, but longer stays are possible by permission.
MEHER PILGRIM RETREAT is located at upper Meherabad and can house a total of 200 pilgrims, with men and women accommodated in separate wings. Children aged two years complete and above are welcome, and children from abroad must be six years complete or older. Different sized rooms are available, up to four-bedded rooms. Common bathrooms and toilets are provided. Three meals a day plus tea twice a day are provided in a single large dining hall; vegetarian food, plus eggs, only. Pilgrims may request an initial reservation for up to one week; their stay may be extended if space is available. Those on longer visits may need to stay elsewhere when the Meher Pilgrim Retreat becomes full during very busy times.
HOSTELS C AND D are located at lower Meherabad. They consist of dormitory-style bays and can accommodate up to 200 pilgrims. For special events, the hostels are converted for accommodating larger numbers. Men and women are housed in separate bays. The bathing rooms are in separate blocks outside the main buildings. Toilets are located both inside and outside the main buildings. Hostel D has a dining hall serving three vegetarian meals per day, plus tea twice a day. Stay in the hostels is limited to two weeks each visit. A slightly longer stay may be arranged by permission.
THE DHARAMSALA, located at lower Meherabad, is one of the oldest buildings here, dating back to Baba’s time. Accommodation is in two dormitory halls, one for men and one for women. This facility does not have a dining hall, and pilgrims may arrange for meals at the Hostel D dining hall, or the MPR dining hall.
Reservations should be made by email Replies will be sent by e-mail. Short-notice reservations can be requested by telephone but are not usually confirmed on the phone. Reservations should be made well in advance. Reservations for Meher Pilgrim Retreat are best made approximately six weeks before expected arrival. Please read the Pilgrim Season information above before continuing. Please scroll down for contact information.
Please include the following information in all reservation requests:
• Full names, dates of birth, gender, and nationality of those coming.
• Residential addresses and telephone numbers.
• Emergency Contact (next of kin) name and number.
• Exact arrival date/time.
• Departure date/time from Meherabad.
• A few words of personal introduction, particularly for those who have not visited before.
Hostel “D”
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Reservations for |
Reservations for
Hostels or Dharmshala |
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Address: Pilgrim Reservations |
Address: Hostel/Dharamsala Accommodations |
Indian citizens with prior reservations can check-in at Meher Pilgrim Retreat between the hours of 9:00 am and 7:00 pm only. Visitors with reservations at Hostel D or Dharmshala may check in between 9:00 am and 10:00 pm. Persons arriving after these designated hours will have to make their own accommodation arrangements for that night in Ahmednagar.
Non-Indians are required to complete passport sign-in formalities required by the Indian government, before checking in at any Meherabad accommodation facility. There are two Passport Sign-in office locations, one at lower Meherabad and one in MPR. The Pilgrim Reservation Office will guide new arrivals about the location for signing in. Hours for passport sign-in, for those with confirmed reservations, are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Passport, visa or OCI document, and one small photograph of each person are required.
•Travel by Air. The nearest airports are at Pune and Aurangabad, both approximately two and one-half hours from Ahmednagar by road. The nearest international airport is Mumbai, approximately six hours by road to Ahmednagar.
•Travel by Rail. Located on the Daund/Manmad railway line, Ahmednagar is accessible by rail from many Indian cities, both to the north and south, including Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Local rail service to/from Pune and Mumbai is not generally convenient as the trains are slow.
•Travel by Car. Buses and taxis reach Ahmednagar from Pune, Aurangabad, Sholapur, and Nasik. A direct road from Mumbai, which bypasses Pune, takes about six hours in light traffic.
