AVATAR MEHER BABA (blue coat) in 1956 at the start of the flagstone pathway leading to the guesthouse at Meher Mount. Over the years this walkway became covered with dirt and growth. There is an archaeological dig to uncover and preserve this touchstone of His 1956 visit. Eruch Jessawala, a close disciple, is carrying the umbrella. Meher Mount co-founder and lifetime caretaker Agnes Baron is close behind as is Tex Hightower, a professional dancer. (Photo: Darwin Shaw, 1956 (c)Meher Nazar Publications)
BABA'S WALKWAY is the focus of an archaeological dig at Meher Mount. Avatar Meher Baba used this walkway during His 1956 visit. (Photo: Cassandra Bramucci, May 2018)
For years, there has been a small remnant of the sandstone walkway at Meher Mount that served as a path from the driveway to the guesthouse, where Avatar Meher Baba spent time with His followers in 1956.
Meher Baba used this pathway, and it is one of the touchstones of His time at Meher Mount.
All the buildings were destroyed in the 1985 New Life Fire, and over the years, the walkway was covered and then buried in the dirt.
In May 2018, Interim Caretaker Cassandra Bramucci along with Eric Turk and Kyle Morrison were moved to start the archaeological work of unearthing the walkway.
They uncovered almost 20 feet of sandstone walkway buried under four inches of dirt. They treated it as an archaeological dig being careful not to damage the stones and marking off the area to traffic.
KYLE MORRISON excavates Baba's Walkway at Meher Mount uncovering another 12 feet of the pathway. (Photo: Cassandra Bramucci, May 2018)
AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP UNCOVER BABA'S WALKWAY
Now, there is an opportunity for other amateur archaeologists, who would like the chance to participate in the restoration of Baba’s Walkway, to come to Meher Mount and add their efforts.
The goal is to ensure that every inch of this precious path, a path that was sanctified by the steps of Beloved Meher Baba, be preserved.
Archaeological Dig Day to Uncover Baba's Walkway
TOOLS for continued archaeoligical work on Baba's Walkway. (Photo: Cassandra Bramucci, May 2018)
Saturday, November 17, 2018, is Archaeological Dig Day for those who wish to be part of this project to preserve another Meher Baba touchstone at Meher Mount.
Everyone is welcome to take part, to help set up for lunch and be part of this special project - whether or not you wish to do any actual digging.
Special archaeological tools will be available along with guidance from Cassandra Bramucci and Kyle Morrison.
DATE: Saturday, November 17, 2018
TIME: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: Meher Mount, 9902 Sulphur Mountain Road, Ojai
WHAT TO BRING
Bring layers, including a windbreaker, as the temperature changes throughout the day
Wear work clothes and sturdy, close-toed shoes that can get dirty
Bring a hat, work gloves if you have them, and sunglasses
Please bring your own lunch and water
HELP SUPPORT THE DIGGERS
Even if you don't see yourself actually doing the digging, come join this day of discovery. You can help set up and take down for lunch, make chai, give encouragement, take photos, and be part of the fun.