The Bahji Reception Centre is the first thing you see when you arrive...
Day 2: Visit to Bahji
On your second day the excitement builds as you meet your Guide and take your first visit to Bahji. Our guides name was Anne and I simply cannot give her enough praise she was everything you could hope for in a guide, very informative, so sincere in her adoration of the Holy Sites and and such a sweet soul.
A quick note on the Bahai Gardens at Bahji and the Shrine of Baha’u’llah, I dont think my words are even capable of doing just to the experience of going to Bahji, so I will let the pictures do most of the talking if that is even at all possible. Let me say this, no matter what you have heard or what other visitors to this Holiest of sites have shared with me could have prepared me with just how awe inspiring, beautiful and majestic it is.
“Public access to the heart of the Qiblih of the Bahá’í World is now made possible through traversing the sacred precincts leading successively to the Holy Court, the outer and inner sanctuaries, the Blessed Threshold and the Holy of Holies.”Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Bahá’í World, 1950–1957(Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1999), p. 30
First Arriving in Bahji…
Bahji - The most Holy place on Earth for the Baha'i Faith
When you first arrive, you are led into the large iron gates and see a rather large and modern Reception Centre (as shown above) surrounded by a very beautiful landscape. Its not, however, untill you walk down the large path that leads to the burial ground of the Prophet founder of the Bahá’i Faith, Baha’u’llah that the magnitude and size of the gardens become apparent.
As if the walk leading up to this most Holiest of spots on Earth isn’t enough, you become aware of the size and beauty of Bahji, it is a truly amazing experience that I feel so so lucky to have experienced.
Majestic Olive Trees at Bahjí
Depending on what time of year you visit Bahjí, you will see a wide array of different flowers. In this photo: Snapdragons
Another view of the Bahai Gardens in Bahji
For Bahai’s: Don’t forget to pack a lunch on this trip!
Baha'i Pilgrimage Haifa Israel 
something that occured to me after my pilgrimage – there si about a 2 week cycle. The pilgrimage is 9 days, starting on a Monday and then there’s a few days between cycles of pilgrims. But two weeks later on Monday and another wave of pilgrims will come in. There is an echo in my heart for the fact that most days of the week some Baha’is are seeing the place where Mirza Midhi fell, or walking the stones to Bahji, or kneeling in the room of the Shrine of the Bab….
By: Steven on February 4, 2009
at 5:38 pm
after your pilgrimage??
How did you visited house of baghdad and house of shiraz ??
By: khoda ali husseini ali abadi aala abah on July 3, 2013
at 7:17 am
I can’t help but feel a twinge of the advancing Cause of God when I read this. Outwardly I’m sure it will lead to more difficulties but in the long run I feel this sad news of a Certificate in Anti-Baha’i Studies will bring about a long term evolution in the fortunes of the religion. It may be more difficult for now but later…..
By: Steven on February 4, 2009
at 5:41 pm
perfect pictures!
By: kushtar on March 16, 2009
at 11:47 am
hey chad,
i saw your post and was wondering if we could talk on the phone more about this trip. I’m a reporter and I’m interested in learning more about your story!
By: Ian Lever on October 17, 2016
at 7:17 am