My first pilgrimage
Throughout my life I have never given any thought about going on a pilgrimage, until some of the local Bahá'ís said they were arranging a trip to London and asked if I would like to join them. Even then I had not thought of the trip as a pilgrimage that certainly is what it was. I know some may now be questioning a pilgrimage trip to London! What makes this a pilgrimage? Well the answer is simple The Guardian of The Bahá'í Faith "Shoghi Effendi Rabbani" was laid to rest in the New Southgate Cemetery. This has now become one of the places that members of the faith from all parts of the world visit to pay their respects and to offer a pray to God. Since the Guardian was laid to rest here the Bahá'í community has become the owners of a large portion of this cemetery and there are now many prominent members of the faith at rest there.
The trip was very informative and I learned much about the Faith and the importance of London in the Faiths history. While I was by the Guardians shrine it seemed very peaceful in fact I became unaware of the noises from outside of the immediate area. This is certainly a place were you can fill close to God and would recommend this as a place to visit.
Before visiting the shrine of the guardian we were treated to a guided tour of "27 Rutland Gate". This is not just the admin centre of the Faith in the UK but is a part of the history of The Bahá'í Faith. There are many items of interest to be seen here and it is hopped to make a regular thing to hold guided tours so as more will have the opportunity to learn about the significance of this building. For those wishing to purchase books about the faith you will find a wide selection on sale here to chose from.
Having now been on my first pilgrimage I am thinking about the next. Can I make it to Haifa to see mount Carmel. The first step is to place my name on the waiting list and hope I can afford the trip when my name comes up.
I hope that others reading this page will visit these places in London as pilgrims I am sure that you will find it a worth while experience. Dave.
For directions to The Guardians resting place click here.
Shrine of The Bab and Abdu'l-Baha in Haifa. I have now experienced a full nine day Bahá’í pilgrimage in Haifa. Flying in over night is not the best way to travel but can be cheaper than a daytime flight. Well I arrived in Telavi at 5:30am found the train station and headed to Haifa. My first sighting of the Bahá’í terraces was from the train they stand out like an oasis in the middle of the city. First call was to find my hotel, second call to register at the pilgrim’s center. On the afternoon of my first day in Haifa all the pilgrims are escorted to the shrines of The Bab and Abdu'l-Baha this I can assure you is a very moving experience on your first day in Haifa. While on pilgrimage we are taken to see the historical buildings that are associated with the Bahá’í faith. These start at the Prison City of Akka were Baha’u’llah and the holy family were first held in the Holy Land. Then the other homes that the holy family lived in. We also visit the buildings on The Ark and meet with the members of the Universal House of Justice and the international Teaching Board. This is the Bahá’í world center. The most important part of pilgrimage is the opportunity to pray in the shrines. I spent many hours in the shrine of Baha’u’llah as well as the shrines of The Bab and Abdu’l-Baha every time you enter one of the shrines it is an experience that will be with you for ever. These are very special moments in one’s life and nothing else can come close to this. After leaving the shrines I spent some time walking in the gardens to meditate on what I had just experienced. The Bahá’í gardens at Bahji around the shrine of Baha’u’llah are flat and easy to walk around. The gardens at Haifa are on a mountainside this becomes more challenging. While there I said that climbing the terraced is a good work out for the body as well as the soul so when leaving Haifa one should be in a better physical and spiritual condition. Bahá’ís wait for many years for the opportunity to take a nine day pilgrimage it is a very important time in the life for any member of the Bahá’í Faith. Shrine of Baha'u'llah. Baha'i terrace gardens in Haifa leading to the shrine of The Bab. The Universal House of Justice on mount Carmel in Haifa. Top right three windows are were Baha'u'llah would wave to His follows.
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