The Baha'i Faith and a Guide to Touring Baha'i Gardens, Haifa, Israel

We spent three nights in Haifa, Israel, with one of the days visiting Acco, where a less impressive Bahá'í Gardens exists.

We noted that it seems like honking your horn is an Israeli National past time. Even more so than in New York City! In any case be prepared to be honked at even before the light turns green.

You will want to go to Bahá'í Gardens, located at the edge of the city center. You will be able to see this famous site from many places in Haifa. You'll find parking fairly easily. Go early because the inner gardens and the shrine are only open until noon time. The area opens at 9:00a.m.

"The Terraces of the Baha'i Faith also known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa are garden terraces around the Shrine of Bab on Mount Carmel. Describes as the Eighth Wonder of the World, they are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel." Wikipedia

People or as some are called Pilgrims come to Haifa from all parts of the world to pay homage to the first leaders of their religion. It is clear that the Bahá'í Faith emphasizes unity across cultures and religions. When I asked a guide about their specific beliefs, i.e. do they believe Jesus was the son of G-d? Do they believe that Moses was given the 10 Commandments? And if so how do they reconcile the differences in a variety of religions? The answer was that it is believed that the various prophets from different religions all existed at different times and each had their own purpose. They do not believe in all religiouns. For example, one guide said they do not recognize John Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion to be a prophet.

The shrine in Haifa is the second holiest shrine of the Bahá'í Faith. Haifa is the international headquarters for the Bahá'í Faith. It is interesting to note that Israeli citizens cannot become members of the Baha'i Faith. This it seems was a condition for allowing the shrine to be built in Israel. The Bahá'í Faith does not want to be seen as a proselytizing religion and Jews do not want to be proselytized to so it worked out for everyone.

Go to the bottom where you will find parking on the street at around 9:30 and walk through the gorgeous inner grounds where you will see cacti and trees unlike any you have seen. When we went, the gold dome called the Shrine of Bab was under construction so we could only see one meditation room. We left our shoes at the door and walked into a small area from which we could see the simple and large meditation room.

You will then drive to the top and take a free tour. The upper gardens are open until 5:00p.m. You will not be allowed on the tour if your shoulders are showing and if your pants or skirt are above your knees. They are very serious about this. Some people in our group borrowed sweaters from others who just happened to have a top in her/his car.

My suggestion is that when in Israel always carry a cover up. You can buy an inexpensive shawl everywhere you look.The tour will take you all the way down to where you originally parked your car. You will watch a video if you want and when finished take a taxi for10 NIS (divide by about 3.5) back up.

The gardens, all of them but especially the upper terraces, are breathtaking. When looking at them they look like 19 staircases that go all the way up Mount Carmel. All the Bahá'í buildings face toward Acco or Acre, the burial place of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i faith.

Wear comfortable shoes because although the grooming of this area is magnificent some of the paths are graveled.

Please note and this is very important: At one time reservations were absolutely necessary for the tour. This is no longer the case. Reservations cannot be made. It did not seem as if the number of tourists was cut off so we had a fairly large crowd. In spite of that we were able to see and hear the tour guide very well.

Source
wiikipedia (quote)