Anniversary Sahavas — Saturday, August 1, 2026
You are invited to delight in the celebration of the 70th anniversary Avatar Meher Baba’s 1956 visit to Meher Mount. The Anniversary Sahavas is on Saturday, August 2, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The gates open at 9:30 a.m.
The featured guest is singer-songwriter Adrienne Shamszad who has chosen the theme “Letting Love In, Letting Love Out — Meher Baba in the World” for this special celebration.
You will love hearing Adrienne perform her soul-stirring love songs. Her influences as an instrumentalist and songwriter are rooted in folk, rock, and R&B.
Adrienne will start the day’s program facilitating a Courtyard Chat about welcoming Meher Baba into our hearts and bringing that love into our daily lives. You are invited to join in the conversation.
Anniversary Sahavas Program — Saturday, August 1, 2026
ADRIENNE SHAMSZAD will be the special guest musician and chat facilitator for the 2026 Anniversary Sahavas celebrating the 70th anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s time at Meher Mount. (Photo: Courtesy of the artist.)
Sahavas means close companionship of, or in the company of, a spiritual master. It also refers to a spiritual retreat or gathering where Meher Baba’s followers meet to remember Him.
9:30 a.m.: Arrival, Sign-in, Fellowship
10:30 a.m.: Courtyard Chat: “Letting Love In, Letting Love Out — Meher Baba in the World,” facilitated by Adrienne Shamszad. You’re invited to join the chat in the Darshan Courtyard for an open conversation about welcoming Meher Baba into our hearts and bringing that love into our daily lives.
12:30 p.m.: Potluck Lunch: Bring your own or something to share for a potluck lunch
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Adrienne Shamszad in Concert
3:30 p.m. – Chai and Conversation
4:00 p.m. – Group walk to Baba’s Tree
4:15 p.m.: Arti (prayers, songs, poems, quotes) by Baba's Tree
6:00 p.m.: No-Host Dinner at Boccali’s restaurant (optional)
All Day: Spend time at Meher Baba’s touchstones, including Baba’s Tree, enjoy the views, and experience the silence and beauty of nature. Your visit to Meher Mount is an opportunity to walk in His footsteps and be in this place filled with Meher Baba’s essence.
All are welcome. There is a suggested donation of $20 per person for the program to help cover expenses.
PLEASE RSVP
Please use this form to RSVP for the Anniversary Sahavas on Saturday, August 1, 2026, celebrating Avatar Meher Baba’s 1956 visit to Meher Mount.
About Adrienne Shamszad
Adrienne Shamszad is a singer-songwriter from the San Francisco Bay Area who writes prayerful ballads, soul-stirring love songs, the blues, lullabies, and sing-alongs.
She plays guitar, piano, and setar (a type of lute used in Persian traditional music) to accompany her strong and soulful voice. Adrienne is a bold performer who brings her audiences together with her humor, vulnerability, and a healing touch.
ADRIENNE SHAMSZAD is a singer-songwriter whose influences are rooted in folk, rock, and R&B. She also draws her inspiration from the classical poetry and vocal styles of Iranian musical traditions. She will perform at the 2026 Anniversary Sahavas at Meher Mount. (Photo: Courtesy of the artist.)
Adrienne shares the roots of her life-long passion for music:
“I was 12 when I played a guitar for the first time. I took a lesson from a guy who taught me how to pluck jingle bells on one string. I was so deeply annoyed that THAT’S all he thought I was capable of that I didn’t go back.
But from that annoyance grew an open curiosity. I asked my mom, who had brought her big ole Yamaha dreadnought [guitar] out of retirement for this one miss of a lesson, to show me some chords.
She taught me two Blues tunes: ‘Trouble in Mind’ and ‘St. James’ Infirmary’. I sang and played those songs obsessively for months, and my whole life changed.
Suddenly, I became someone who played guitar and sang songs. A year later I started writing my own songs too, and thus began the beginning of the rest of my life.”
A multi-dimensional artist, Adrienne has extensive training in Western classical and jazz vocal technique, acting, musical theater, and music education.
No-Host Dinner At Boccali’s After The Celebration
There is a no-host dinner after the event at 6:00 p.m. at Boccali's restaurant for all who are interested. Boccali's is located at 3277 Ojai Santa Paula Road, Ojai, CA. If attending the dinner:
Please arrive at the restaurant by 6:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Later, you might not get served.
Please bring cash or your checkbook.
With such a large group, there are no separate checks. The total bill - including tax and a 20% tip - is divided by all participants. Each person pays that portion of the bill.
The dinner is a delightful time of fellowship and relaxation after a Meher Baba-filled day at Meher Mount.
Guidelines & What to Bring for the Anniversary Celebration
The weather will be warm and beautiful. The Anniversary is a wonderful time to remember and celebrate the presence of the Avatar of the Age at Meher Mount.
Please bring:
Your lunch or something to share in the potluck - whichever is most comfortable for you. Your food should be ready to eat and not require additional prep or cooking. The group will be eating on the patio which has no prep and cooking facilities. Plates, cups, and eating utensils will be provided.
A hat, sunscreen and water are recommended. Suggest close-toed shoes for walking.
Optional — flowers for Baba’s Fireplace, Baba’s Walkway or Baba’s Tree are always welcome.
There is a suggested donation of $20 per person to help cover the costs of the event.
Please do not bring:
Please do not bring your pets.
There are no fires, incense or candles. The fire danger is extremely high.
There are no drugs or alcohol.
Guidelines:
For general visitor information, see the Visitor Guidelines.
Children — Parents are responsible for maintaining their children’s safety. Children under nine years must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
For children nine through 14 years, there should be a responsible adult at Meher Mount who is actively engaged in the supervision of their activities and whereabouts at all time.
Please note there is no climbing on any equipment or in the trees.
Click here for Directions.
AVATAR MEHER BABA (center, blue coat) is touring Meher Mount with His followers on August 2, 1956. “I love Meher Mount very, very much,” He said during His visit. (Photo: Darwin Shaw, Meher Nazar Publications, used with permission.)