UNIVERSAL ASHRAM

After months of preparation, on Sunday, December 17, 1939, Meher Baba inaugurated the foundation of the "Meher Baba Universal Spiritual Centre" at Byramangala near Bangalore, Mysore State . . . . one of the more beautiful spots in India. The Master laid the foundation stone with a symbolic trowel of seven metals. It was quite a celebration with Indian dignitaries like the Dewan attending, plus a group of Baba's Eastern and Western disciples. Complications in building and the illness of some disciples, or simply the Avatar's inner workings — terminated the project, and the party returned to home quarters. We reproduce the ground plan, the 6 divisions, and Baba's message as printed in the pamphlet at the time. We also give some excerpts from Dr. Donkin's diary of this period so critical at the beginning of World War II. (See also Book Reviews, the talk by Princess Matchabelli.) Meher Center On The Lakes, Myrtle Beach, S. C., initiated by Baba in 1952, is at least one spiritual center now actively functioning in Baba's "Universal spirit".

-- Editor