1969 Darshan
Encyclopedia
The 1969 Darshan was a darshan (Sanskrit
for 'instance of seeing or beholding') where many followers of Meher Baba
from around the world, many of whom had not met Meher Baba, came from East
and West
to Pune
and Meherabad
, India
to pay homage to him after his death on January 31, 1969. The programs, held in spring of that year, had been arranged by Meher Baba in advance of his death. The darshan programs took place mostly in Pune
, in phases, from April to June 1969. Thousands attended, mostly Easterners, but including about 800 Westerners. Each group was given one day in which it got to see his samadhi (tomb) in Meherabad
(150 miles from Pune; see photo). In Pune Westerners attended programs in the morning and Easterners in the afternoon. The programs were held at Guruprasad, a large private home of the Maharani
of Baroda
, which has since been torn down.
and was kept viewable to the public for one week, but was interred on February 7, 1969. Meher Baba's mandali
decided to proceed with the arrangements for the large darshan despite the physical absence of the host. Baba's secretary Adi K. Irani sent out a circular that read, "God has invited you, and you are free to keep your appointment." Several thousand attended this "Last Darshan," including many hundred people from the U.S.A., Europe, and Australia.
held at Meherabad in the last week of each January. 10,000-12,000 overnight and 25,000-30,000 daytime visitors from all over the world gather at Meherabad for the three-day program.
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
for 'instance of seeing or beholding') where many followers of Meher Baba
Meher Baba
Meher Baba , , born Merwan Sheriar Irani, was an Indian mystic and spiritual master who declared publicly in 1954 that he was the Avatar of the age....
from around the world, many of whom had not met Meher Baba, came from East
Eastern world
__FORCETOC__The term Eastern world refers very broadly to the various cultures or social structures and philosophical systems of Eastern Asia or geographically the Eastern Culture...
and West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
to Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
and Meherabad
Meherabad
Meherabad was originally an ashram established by Meher Baba near Arangaon Village, India in 1923 about south of Ahmednagar. It is now the site of Meher Baba's samadhi as well as facilities and accommodations for pilgrims...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to pay homage to him after his death on January 31, 1969. The programs, held in spring of that year, had been arranged by Meher Baba in advance of his death. The darshan programs took place mostly in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
, in phases, from April to June 1969. Thousands attended, mostly Easterners, but including about 800 Westerners. Each group was given one day in which it got to see his samadhi (tomb) in Meherabad
Meherabad
Meherabad was originally an ashram established by Meher Baba near Arangaon Village, India in 1923 about south of Ahmednagar. It is now the site of Meher Baba's samadhi as well as facilities and accommodations for pilgrims...
(150 miles from Pune; see photo). In Pune Westerners attended programs in the morning and Easterners in the afternoon. The programs were held at Guruprasad, a large private home of the Maharani
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
of Baroda
Vadodara
Vadodara formerly known as Baroda is the third most populated city in the Indian State of Gujarat . It is one of the four cities with the population of over 1 million...
, which has since been torn down.
History
Before his passing, Meher Baba had made extensive preparations for a public darshan program to be held in Pune, India in the Spring of 1969. Originally the darshan had been planned for Meher Baba's followers in the East and West to see Meher Baba personally. Many in the West had heard of Meher Baba only in the last years of his life while he was maintaining strict seclusion and were hoping to see him for the first time. The darshan had been planned for April-June 1969, but Baba died at the end of January, ahead of the scheduled event. Meher Baba's body was laid in his samadhi (tomb) at MeherabadMeherabad
Meherabad was originally an ashram established by Meher Baba near Arangaon Village, India in 1923 about south of Ahmednagar. It is now the site of Meher Baba's samadhi as well as facilities and accommodations for pilgrims...
and was kept viewable to the public for one week, but was interred on February 7, 1969. Meher Baba's mandali
Mandali
Mandali from the Sanskrit mandala meaning circle, connection, community, is a term that Meher Baba used for his closest disciples.-Inner circle:...
decided to proceed with the arrangements for the large darshan despite the physical absence of the host. Baba's secretary Adi K. Irani sent out a circular that read, "God has invited you, and you are free to keep your appointment." Several thousand attended this "Last Darshan," including many hundred people from the U.S.A., Europe, and Australia.
Amartithi
Meher Baba's death is commemorated annually in India in festivities known as AmartithiAmartithi
Amartithi is the day which commemorates Meher Baba's death on January 31, 1969.The word "Amartithi" appears to have been coined by Meher Baba and means "deathless day"...
held at Meherabad in the last week of each January. 10,000-12,000 overnight and 25,000-30,000 daytime visitors from all over the world gather at Meherabad for the three-day program.