Merwan Sheriar Irani, best known as Meher Baba, was a spiritual guru from India. He declared himself as the Avatar—God in human form. A native of the city of Poona (present-day Pune), Merwan grew up in an Irani Zoroastrian family. At the age of 19, his spiritual transformation started and went on for the next seven years. He took a vow of silence in July 1925 that lasted for the remainder of his life. During this period, his modes of communication were an alphabet board and unique hand gestures. He would often venture into prolonged periods of seclusion and fast with his mandali (circle of disciples). Meher Baba’s extensive travels took him all over India and beyond, during which he hosted public gatherings and devoted himself in works of charity with lepers and the poor. Beginning in 1949, he embarked on an incognito journey across India with a selected mandali. Later, he called this largely mysterious and unknown period “New Life”. Meher Baba was involved in two serious vehicular accidents in his life, which severely restricted his movements. In his final years, while his health was declining, he kept on doing what he dubbed his “Universal Work”. Since his death in January 1969, his samadhi or tomb has been turned into an international pilgrimage spot.