Meher Pilgrim Center - Design and Decoration

Design and Decoration

Both the Pilgrim Center and Pilgrim Retreat were designed by architect Ted Judson. The interior of the dining hall and surrounding verandas of the original Pilgrim Center are decorated by seventeen mounted paintings of Meher Baba's life by American painters Phyllis and Lyn Ott. Gardens and landscaping were designed by Janet Judson. Two stained glass mandala windows adorn the East and West walls of the original dining hall. Many artists have contributed to decorating the newly constructed Meher Pilgrim Retreat with stained glass windows, oil paintings, archival photographs, photographic engraving, etched stone benches, a plaster frieze, and a tile wall commemorating the life and work of Meher Baba. Among the many artists are the Iranian-born master glass painter Amir Chafai, the American painter Diana Le Page from Australia, and American painter Charlie Mills.

The Pilgrim Center area remains the site of the dhuni ceremony, which is performed at sunset on the 12th of each month at Meherabad. The Pilgrim Center dhuni is a major focus of annual Amartithi activities, a religious festival that draws approximately 30,000 pilgrims annually to Meherabad in January of each year.

The Pilgrim Center and Pilgrim Retreat are closed during the hot Indian summer from 15 March to 15 June of each year.