[Tavern-Talk] Trust Talk - FORTIETH AMARTITHI ANNOUNCEMENT

[Tavern-talk]

Telegram: "MEHERBABA" Ahmednagar TelephoneNo.2343666/2347093 Ahmednagar

AVATAR MEHER BABA
PERPETUAL PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST
KING’S ROAD, POST BAG NO. 31,
AHMEDNAGAR, (M.S.) 414 001.

V.S. KALCHURI
CHAIRMAN 22nd OCT, 2008.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Beloved Avatar Meher Baba,

The fortieth Amartithi of Beloved Avatar Meher Baba falls
on Saturday, 31st January, 2009. For this sacred occasion it is expected
that pilgrims from all over India and around the world will be
visiting the Tomb-Shrine of Avatar Meher Baba at Meherabad Hill,
Ahmednagar (M.S.) India to take part in the Educational Gathering.

The observance of the fortieth Amartithi (Anniversary of
Avatar Meher Baba's Darshan) will be for two days, i.e. 30th January
morning to noon of 1st February, 2009. The main function, as usual,
will be on 31st January, 2009.

By Beloved Baba's grace, it will be made possible for pilgrims
visiting the Tomb-Shrine of Beloved Avatar Meher Baba, for the fortieth
Amartithi, to stay at the Meherabad Estate from 8:00 a.m. of 30th
January to 12 noon of 1st February, 2009.

ATTENTION
Darshan of Beloved Avatar Meher Baba will be available inside
the Tomb-Shrine through a regulated queue designated specifically for
this occasion. However, due to the influx of pilgrims during Amartithi,
it is requested for the benefit of all that pilgrims take the least time
possible for darshan and to take darshan only once on 31st January, 2009.

QUEUE TOKEN SYSTEM
We are continuing our Queue Token System. After
collecting a single token with a number on it, each Pilgrim will be free
to move about until the number on his/her token is announced and
displayed on the signboards. THE PILGRIMS SHOULD JOIN
THE QUEUE WHEN THEIR NUMBER IS DISPLAYED. Please be
alert because if your number has passed through the Darshan line and
the next higher number has also passed, you will miss your turn and
will require a new token.

A) REGARDING ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:
Please note:
1) Pilgrims should not arrive at Meherabad before 8:00 a.m., on
30th January, 2009, and should leave Meherabad by 12 noon, on
1st February, 2009.



2) There will be stalls selling light refreshment and meals at Lower
Meherabad, New Site and Upper Meherabad till early afternoon on 1st
February, 2009.
3) There will be separate lodging arrangements for men and for
women at Meherabad as usual. Pilgrims are reminded that they
should continue to abide by Beloved Baba's wishes, as expressed
by Him in the 1958 Sahavas, that men and women pilgrims should
stay in their own quarters and not visit, enter, or rest in each
others quarters. Pilgrims should lovingly cooperate with the Man-
agement in this matter and the Management reserves the right to
caution any pilgrim who fails to abide by Beloved Baba’s wishes
as mentioned above.
4) Pilgrims are requested to bring warm clothes, blankets, bedding
with mattress, and flashlights (torch). The quarters for men and
women are separate; so to avoid confusion it is advised that men
and women of the same family pack separate bags, and bundle
their bedding rolls separately BEFORE their arrival at Meherabad.
5) Meherabad Management requests pilgrims to use water very spar-
ingly. Hot water for bathing will be provided from 11:00 p.m.,
30th January to 7:00 a.m., 31st January.
6) Pilgrims in the close vicinity of the Samadhi are requested to do
their utmost to maintain the sanctity of the Tomb-Shrine.

B) REGARDING LODGING ARRANGEMENTS:
Please note:
1) In order to make it easier for pilgrims, who wish to be accommo-
dated at Meherabad for the Educational Gathering, the Trust will
receive such requests directly.
2) Pilgrims who wish to be accommodated at Meherabad for the
Educational Gathering must send an amount of Rs. 50/- per per-
son for lodging arrangements directly to the Trust. Children be-
low 7 years of age will not be charged for lodging. Such amounts
are called "AMARTITHI DONATIONS," and they must be sent
to the Trust as follows:

AMARTITHI DONATIONS
Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C.Trust
King’s Road, Post Bag No.31,
Ahmednagar, M. S. 414 001.

Please DO NOT forward Amartithi Donations to the Meherabad Office.

3) Pilgrims will be accommodated at Meherabad during Amartithi
days only if the words "AMARTITHI DONATIONS" are mentioned on the Money
Order Coupons. The pilgrims must also mention the number of men, women
and children (7 years and above) attending Amartithi.

4) A Bank Draft (D.D.) to A.M.B.P.P.C.T. can be accepted provided a
separate letter is sent along with it, clearly giving the details of the
number of men, women and children and the letter must
mention the purpose as "AMARTITHI DONATIONS".

IMPORTANT:
These lodging requests have to be earmarked as "AMARTITHI DONATIONS",
otherwise such amounts will be considered as
donations to the Trust and the sender will NOT have lodging
accommodations at Meherabad. Please note that the Trust will
not post separate receipts to pilgrims for the special Amartithi
Donations received through Money Orders. Instead, Money Order
Acknowledgements will be sent which will bear the serial numbers of
Entry Tokens. Pilgrims must bring these M.O. Acknowledgements
with them when they come. However, money received through
Demand Draft will be acknowledged by the Trust through a
separate letter, bearing the Entry Token serial numbers.
5) Pilgrims are requested to be very particular to give their full names
and addresses in BLOCK LETTERS on the Money Order Coupons.
They must also REMEMBER to bring to Meherabad the Money
Order Acknowledgement Receipt or the letter from the Trust giving
the serial number of their Entry Tokens. This will entitle them to
receive ENTRY TOKENS for their lodging from the Trust at the
Enquiry Office or Sub-Enquiry Office upon their arrival at
Meherabad on 30th January, 2009.
6) AMARTITHI DONATIONS must not be sent later than 7th January,
2009. Money Orders and bank drafts sent to the Trust as
AMARTITHI DONATIONS after this date will NOT be accepted
and will be returned to the senders, as these late requests cause
much inconvenience to the Meherabad Management and to the
pilgrims themselves.
7) The Trust will have a separate cell (Amartithi Donations account)
for Amartithi Arrangements. This cell will receive the above
mentioned donations. Please note that the donation of Rs. 50/-
per person does not meet the entire expenditure for the lodging
arrangements for a pilgrim. Therefore, the Trust always subsidizes
the balance of the lodging expenditure, which includes the
expenditure for electricity, preparation of grounds, tarpaulins, water
supply, and other expenses, in order to provide
facilities for the pilgrims. In addition to this, the Trust provides
facilities for the Gathering at Upper Meherabad. The pilgrims pay
Rs. 50/- per person for the roof shelter only, and not for the other
facilities provided.
Please note that those who register at the Enquiry Office on the 30th or
31st, and not before, will have to pay Rs. 50/- extra towards Amartithi
Donations. (Total Rs. 100/-)

8) The NEW SITE at Upper Meherabad: This site with the facility of
tents, bathrooms, toilets and parking will be available for groups
of pilgrims who wish to cook their own food. This New Site is at
Upper Meherabad not too far from the Samadhi. Kitchens will be
erected on this site only. Therefore, groups who wish to cook
their own food in the kitchens must accordingly inform Trustee
Shri Jal P. Dastoor, c/o Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust, King's
Road, Post Bag No.31, Ahmednagar (M.S.) 414 001 through letters
which Jal must receive by the last week of December 2008. Also,
when these kitchen-groups of pilgrims send their money to the
Trust (and not to Jal Dastoor) for their lodging, they must make special
mention that they wish to lodge at the New Site. Special Entry Tokens
will be prepared for such pilgrims, and upon their arrival at Meherabad
they will have to collect Special Entry Tokens and Kitchen Number only
from the Sub-Enquiry Office at the New Site.
9) During Amartithi, in spite of police and security arrangements,
some thefts do occur. Therefore, pilgrims are cautioned to be very
careful with their valuables, especially of their purses, pouches,
cameras and other items carried by hand specially so while going for the
bath. At no time should these be left in a public area unattended. For
their safety, pilgrims are asked to wear their Entry Tokens at all times
and volunteers are deputed to inquire of anyone seen without a token.
10) The mattress Contractor is able to rent a limited number of
mattresses at the rate of Rs. 45/- per mattress for the entire period.
To ensure having a mattress, pilgrims are requested to send a
Money Order to the Contractor in advance to reserve the
mattresses:
Shri Ashok Shete
c/o Vilas Mandap, Shani Chowk,
Juna Mangalwar Bazar, AHMEDNAGAR - 414 001 (M.S.)
The Money Order Acknowledgement received from the Contractor
must be brought by the Pilgrims to receive the mattress. In addition
to the hire charges of Rs. 45/- per mattress, the Contractor will
collect Rs. 45/- as deposit per mattress at the time of issuing the
mattress. The deposit will be refunded when the mattresses are
returned to the Contractor.

NOTE:
DO NOT send hire charges for mattresses to the Avatar Meher Baba
P.P.C. Trust. Send to the Trust only "AMARTITHI DONATIONS" for
accommodation and NOT for mattresses.

11) Pilgrims leaving on 1st February should note that the programme ends
at 10 am with an Arti. Therefore, they are requested that before they
leave their Tents/Hostels for the programme on the Hill on 1st February
morning, they must deposit all their luggage at Hostel B hall for Lower
Meherabad pilgrims and Tent F for New Site pilgrims without fail and
collect the same before their departure.

C) REGARDING BOARDING ARRANGEMENTS:
Please Note:
1) There will be stalls erected by local vendors at Lower and Upper
Meherabad where pilgrims can purchase light refreshment and meals during
their stay at Meherabad.

D) REGARDING TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS:
Please Note: There is now a second S.T. Bus Stand in the Tarakpur
area of Ahmednagar, However, Pilgrims should alight at City Bus Stand.
1) State Transport authorities will be requested to ply their buses
from Ahmednagar Railway Station and S.T. Bus Stand to and
from Meherabad at fixed hours on 30th and 31st January, 2009
and on 1st February, 2009.
2) Volunteers wearing Baba badges will be at the Railway Station
and Bus Stand to guide pilgrims visiting Meherabad.

3) ON FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY, 2009:
A) State Transport Buses will go to Meherabad from the
Ahmednagar Railway Station from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.,
according to train timings.
B) Extra State Transport buses will go to Meherabad from
the S.T. Bus Stand from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Pilgrims
arriving before 7:00 a.m. may take a regular S.T. Bus to Meherabad
(Arangaon).

4) ON SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY, 2009:
A) State Transport buses will go to Meherabad from the S.T.
Bus Stand via Ahmednagar Railway Station from 6:00 a.m.
to 11:00 a.m.
B) Return Journey: Extra State Transport buses will go from Meherabad to
Ahmednagar Railway Station and S.T. Bus
Stand from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. on 31st January, 2009.

5) ON SUNDAY 1ST FEBRUARY, 2009:
Extra State Transport buses will go from Meherabad to Ahmednagar
(Railway Station and S.T. Bus Stand) from 5:30 a.m. onwards.

6) Pilgrims arriving from outstations by special buses, or by private
cars, or by hired taxis are requested not to take their vehicles up
Meherabad Hill. Vehicles should be parked only in the parking
zone at the New Site or Lower Meherabad. Washing of vehicles
at Meherabad is prohibited; drivers and cleaners should be
instructed accordingly by the parties concerned. This should be strictly
observed.

7) Please note that Entry Permits for buses must be obtained before
departure by those coming into Maharashtra State by special buses
from other states.

8) MEHERAZAD WILL BE CLOSED JANUARY 26TH THROUGH FEBRUARY 4TH THIS
INCLUDES ALL AMARTITHI DAYS (30th January through 1st February). Hence
pilgrims should NOT visit Meherazad during these days for any purpose
whatsoever, whether
by public bus, private bus, car or rickshaw. Meherazad will reopen
for pilgrims on Thursday 5th February, 2009. Facilities at
Dharamshala and Hostels will be closed from 25th January to 4th
February, 2009.

PROGRAMME
PLACE: The holy Tomb-Shrine of Avatar Meher Baba on Meherabad
Hill, Ahmednagar (M.S.) India.


Friday 30th January, 2009
8:00 a.m. onwards Arrival of Meher Pilgrims at Lower
Meherabad; Darshan and Prasad at Tomb.
2:00 p.m. onwards Prem-Meelan on Hill.
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Bhajans, dance and drama.
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Film of Avatar Meher Baba or
special programme on the Hill.
8:00 p.m. RECESS for meals down the Hill.
10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sahavas on the Hill.

Jai Baba!

Saturday 31st January, 2009
7:00 a.m. Lighting of the Dhuni.
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. All pilgrims assemble on the Hill. Prem-Meelan
of pilgrims and singing by bhajan mandali of different Meher Centers.
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Welcome address and talk about the
Trust activities.
11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Announcements
11:45 a.m. to 12 noon Meher Dhoon
11:55 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Darshan at the Tomb stopped.
12 noon to 12:15 p.m. All present to observe complete silence.
12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Master’s and Repentance Prayers in
different languages followed by Arti. Darshan
resumes from 12:15 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Songs and bhajans on the Hill.
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. RECESS for meals down the Hill.
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Baba programme on the Hill.
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Film of Avatar Meher Baba.
8:00 p.m. RECESS for meals down the Hill.
10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sahavas on the Hill. Additional
programmes on the Hill.

Jai Baba !

Sunday 1st February, 2009.
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Bhajans on the Hill. Darshan continues.
10:00 a.m. Programme ends with Arti. Prepare for departure.

E) DISTRIBUTION OF PRASAD AT SAMADHI ON 31ST JANUARY

On 31st January Samadhi management faces acute problem of distribution
of cooked Prasad such as lemon rice, sheera (sweet rava) and other
cooked items. Hence no cooked Prasad BUT ONLY WRAPPED DRY PRASAD WILL BE
ALLOWED to be distributed near the Samadhi.

All centers and individual desirous of distribution of Prasad will have
to apply in advance to brother Shridhar Kelkar advising what kind of dry
Prasad they wish to distribute, brother Shridhar Kelkar will advise time
slot for distribution of Prasad so that the Prasad is evenly distributed
during the entire day. PLEASE NOTE THAT LAST MINUTE REQUESTS ON THE
AMARTITHI DAY WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.

Jai Baba !

NOTE: Bhajan mandali of different Meher Centres and Western pilgrims
having singing and other programmes to present for the fortieth
Amartithi occasion should write only to Shri. Mehernath B.
Kalchuri,Trustee, c/o Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust, King’s Road, Post
Bag 31, Ahmednagar
(M.S.) 414 001 India by 31st December, 2008. The requests will be
accommodated time permitting, within the hours allotted for programmes.
It will not be possible to accede to late requests on arrival. Please
confirm your programme with Shri. Mehernath B. Kalchuri upon your
arrival at Meherabad.


ALL ARE HEARTILY WELCOME TO ATTEND
AVATAR MEHER BABA’S FORTIETH AMARTITHI
FUNCTION ON MEHERABAD HILL.
Please pass on the above information of the Amartithi programme
to all the lovers of Avatar Meher Baba in your area.
JAI AVATAR MEHER BABA !!!
IN AVATAR MEHER BABA’S SERVICE,


(V.S. KALCHURI)
CHAIRMAN

NOTE: There is no need for any correspondence with the Trust Office on
the subject of Amartithi programme and arrangements.

FROM: AVATAR MEHER BABA
PERPETUAL PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST
King’s Road, Post Bag 31, Ahmednagar 414 001
(Maharashtra State) India.


BOOK – POST [PRINTED BOOKLET] Fortieth Amartithi.
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