The Trust’s recent whirlwind tour of America to inform the public of its long range infrastructure plan occasions this suggestion, which is an idea that first came to me over ten years ago.
The Trust has three major concerns in any long range plan: Adequate water supply, adequate waste water treatment infrastructure and a cogent and aesthetic plan for accommodating and regulating pilgrim traffic on a daily basis.
The first two problems are relatively straightforward. The third is what I will focus on.
What is required is a way to not simply accommodate hundreds of pilgrims at a given time, but a way of regulating the traffic pattern of such an influx which one day may be more or less continuous- and to do so in as an aesthetic manner as possible.
I propose a walled rectangular garden, at least 3-4 acres in size, with a café at one end and a library and archival museum/ gallery at the other end. The central garden area would be designed as a Persian garden, that is divided into quadrants with a central pavilion, and walled with arcades. This would provide a shaded and protected way for pilgrims to walk around the garden, and enter the garden at multiple points. The garden would have four sections landscaped with trees- banyan, neem, peepal, bel, ashoka, etc, and shrubs and flowers and have benches for pilgrims to relax and view nature before or after taking darshan. The arcade walls might be adorned with tile mosaic murals depicting key events in Baba’s life, and including his father Sheriar’s life who was a gardener, café proprietor and matchless Arif. I would name the garden after him, and call it Bagh-e-Sheriar- Sheriar’s Garden.
The café and library and archival museum/ gallery would be designed as separate but conjoined structures at either end of the garden to allow for independent access and administration.
The concept of Bagh-e-Sheriar is to serve as a functional welcome center to vehicular and foot traffic before and after darshan.
I am keen on traditional design, and have talked to Jay Bonner who has a wealth of ideas and talent about such an architectural concept.
Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai!
Bill,
Ah, your plan has my support. Great concept and do-able. I can visualize it already.
And for shade, until trees grow sufficient?
Walkways can be shaded with cloth, fabric or woven mats to provide shade until trees and vines mature.
This is an interesting and positive idea. Thanks Bill.