Meerut

Shri Nathji had a long association with Meerut. He used to pass this city on his numerous trips between Delhi and Mussoorie. In 1956 after leaving Delhi Shri Nathji stayed at the Wheelers Club in Meerut. Shri Nathji liked the place so much that he decided to continue staying there for a month at least. Mateshwari and the boys were enjoying the beautiful surroundings, the well-kept lawns, the tidy club buildings, the dining hall and large ballroom, room etc. Everything had a British flavour to it, and was spic and span.

Next year it was also decided to spend the winter vacations at Meerut. Shri Nathji and his family came to Meerut without ensuring in advance that rooms would be available at the Wheler Club. When they enquired from the management, they were told that not a single room was available and none would be available for a few weeks in the future. It was apparent that they would have to find a place to stay for a few weeks till the rooms at Wheeler Club became available. As they came out of Wheeler Club, Shri Nathji met a certain gentlemen who was at the gate and asked him about the hotels in Meerut.

The man was an Army Officer, Colonel Rai, by name. He tried to answer Shri Nathji's queries as best as he could and then asked him what the problem was. “Sir, if I may be permitted to invite you to my house I shall feel greatly honoured! It was a very difficult proposition for Shri Nathji. He did not know the man at all, and he was with Mateshwari and the boys. How could all of them become the guests of a man they did not even know? But when Shri Nathji saw the sincerity of the Colonel, he was overwhelmed and agreed to stay at the man’s house. Then once the rooms at Weller Club were available, Shri Nathji shifted there.

The birthday of Shri Babaji Maharaj was celebrated by Shri Nathji at Meerut in 1957. A hall was booked at the Allahabad Bank premises where the Manager had developed a great respect for Shri Nathji. Meerut was one place were Maha Mateswariji’s health also greatly improved.

Meerut is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is an ancient city with settlements dating back to the Indus Valley civilization having been found in and around the area. The city lies 70 km northeast of the national capital New Delhi.

The city derived its name from Maya Rashtra, the capital of the kingdom of Mandodari's father and Ravana's father-in-law, Mayasura. This name mutated to Mairashtra, Mai-dant-ka-khera, Mairaath and eventually Meerut. It was also the Easternmost settlement of the Indus valley civilisation. Meerut had been a centre of Buddhism in the period of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The Ashoka Pillar, at Delhi, near Delhi University, was carried to Delhi from Meerut, by Firuz Shah Tughluq (r. 1351–1388) In the middle ages the city witnessed many invasion and plunders by raiders like Mahmud Ghazni, Mohammad Ghori, Timur, etc. During the rule of Mughals,  Emperor, Akbar had a mint for copper coins here. After the Mugals,  Meerut was ruled by Jats & then Marathas. Finally the British took meerut from Marathas. Meerut is famously associated with the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British East India Company.

Today Meerut continues to be an important cantonment town. It is also a major center for industry. The city is one of the largest producers of sports goods, and the largest producer of musical instruments in India as well as this is the largest producers of bicycle rickshaw in world. The city is also an education hub in western Uttar Pradesh.
The most important landmark and tourist destination of the city is the  St. John's Church, completed in 1822, it is one of the oldest Churches of North India.The church was dedicated in 1824 by the famous Bishop Heber. St. John's is beautiful and unusual because the nave is flanked by such wide aisles that the floor plan is nearly square. It is amazing to see that this heritage building still stands , so well preserved.