Day 2: Visiting the Shrine at Bahji

Kelsey and I gathered with the rest of our pilgrimage group in the Pilgrim House near the Shrine of the Bab and met with Jamshid, our guide. (We were Group M.) We all introduced ourselves, said a prayer, and Jamshid explained his role in guiding us to each of the holy sites — that he would give us some background each time and would remind us of when we had to arrive and leave and so on. Jamshid was an awesome storyteller and dear man.

Kelsey and Jamshid

Kelsey and Jamshid

We boarded the bus and headed up Hatzionut, past the entrance to the Temple Land and Baha’i Cemetery, then out to Bahji for the rest of the day. On the way, Jamshid explained more about the schedule. He also explained that there were a few stops the bus would regularly make at the bottom and top of the mountain for those pilgrims whose hotel was nearby. Since we were staying at the bottom, we decided to catch the bus the next day from the stop that was almost across the street from our hotel. It proved to be quite convenient!

Bahji Pilgrim Reception Centre

Bahji Pilgrim Reception Centre

We arrived at Bahji and got our first look at the Pilgrim Reception Centre (PRC), which was just beautiful and very well designed. This Centre was fairly new, perhaps about 8 years, I think, although I would like to find out for sure when it was opened.

Unfortunately for us, it started raining hard before our first visit to the Shrine of Baha’u’llah. There was an alternate canvas-covered entrance set up on the opposite side to the front entrance to the shrine, which allowed us to leave our belongings in a dry place and compose ourselves before entering the shrine from a different door than usual. All 400 pilgrims assembled in the shrine, with staff guiding us to the various areas around the little pebbled center court garden within the shrine, so that everyone could fit comfortably. Above the little garden court was a skylight and there were windows on all four sides just under the rooftop. It was truly a beautiful building. Someone recited the Tablet of Visitation as we all listened and reflected on the fact that we were in the Holiest Spot on earth.

Bahji Pilgrim Reception Centre Main Hall

Bahji Pilgrim Reception Centre Main Hall

We were told we could stay as long as we wished and then to make our way back down the long pebbled pathway to the Bahji PRC for tea. Since all of the pilgrim groups had come together for this first visit, we were told to take any pilgrim bus back — because, of course, all groups were headed back to Haifa.

Gardens and Shrine of Baha'u'llah

Gardens and Shrine of Baha’u’llah

That evening at 8:00 PM we experienced our first evening program. All of the evening presentations were held at the International Teaching Centre Building at 16 Golomb Street. Promptly at 8 PM, three young Canadian pilgrims, two of whom were in our group, sang a beautiful prayer with guitar accompaniment. The ITC Counselor from India spoke about the Baha’i community’s 5 year plan and about many stories of progress. All evening presentations were no more than one hour long.

We walked back down the mountain via the stone staircases and settled into our continuing adventure.

 

Ben Gurion Street from our window

Ben Gurion Street from our window

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