Meher Pilgrim Center (also spelled "Centre") is a central administrative facility for the Meher Baba pilgrim retreat in Meherabad near Ahmednagar, India. From 19 June 1980 until 15 March 2006 it housed short-term accommodations for pilgrims visiting Meher Baba's samadhi (tomb shrine) in Meherabad and his final home in Meherazad located on the other side of Ahmednagar. Originally constructed for the Avatar Meher Baba Trust as an accommodation facility for pilgrims, it now houses offices and other administrative services for the Trust. In its heyday this attractive and comfortable building accommodated up to 56 guests in rooms housing one to eight people. Men and women were housed separately and all meals were vegetarian.
The Meher Pilgrim Center was designed by resident architect Ted Judson and commissioned by James and Elaine Cox. The paintings that decorate its dining room and verandas were done by Phyllis and Lyn Ott. Since its construction, various other structures were added to the surrounding area including a hostel, dispensary, free school, research library, and museum.
On 15 June 2006 new pilgrim facilities opened at the recently constructed Meher Pilgrim Retreat, an 88,000-square-foot (8,200 m2) pilgrim facility that provides meals and overnight accommodation for up to 200 pilgrims. The Pilgrim Retreat is on the opposite side of Meherabad from the Pilgrim Center. Drugs, alcohol, meat and fish, are all prohibited at the Pilgrim Retreat and men and women are housed separately.
Read more about Meher Pilgrim Center: Design and Decoration
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