The digging of Baba's cave was going slowly. On 19 April, showing his displeasure at the tedious pace, Baba asked the mandali if they thought the cave would be ready by the 15th of May. All expressed their doubts, but Kalemama assured Baba he would do his best to see that the cave was ready in time.
However, Baba remarked, "I think it is better if we return to Meherabad where a cave for seclusion can be dug more easily."
Padri, who had come to Panchgani, was willing to proceed to Meherabad to take up the work, but Kalemama promised Baba that the cave would be ready on time. Baba then canceled the Meherabad plan and decided to go to Bombay until the cave was finished.
John Marquis and Dhunjisha came to Panchgani on 20 April, and Baba permitted Marquis to return to Panchgani in mid-May before Baba entered seclusion. Baba spent that day with the few boys accompanying him, playing cricket and permitting them (and the mandali) to have their meals with him. Baba instructed Chhagan and Vishnu to individually tutor the boys in English and arithmetic, with Baba's personal help. Chhagan was also sent to Sholapur and Pandharpur to bring a few good boys, and Vishnu was sent to Poona.
On the 24th Rao left for Bombay with instructions for Kaka Baria to bring his car to Panchgani.
On Saturday, 26 April 1930, Baidul brought a boy to Panchgani. Baba left for Bombay that same day at 10:00 A.M. with the mandali.1 The next morning he visited the Elephanta Caves, Wilson Dam, Mazagaon Gardens, and Bhandarwada Reservoir. They went to Hanging Gardens also, but as it was a Sunday and crowded, they drove off. Meanwhile, Baba had sent Chhagan, Pendu, Raosaheb, and Vishnu in search of "good boys" and they brought six. Except for a boy called Bhaiya (Brother), Baba promptly sent the others away after giving them new clothes.
In the afternoon Baba went by taxi to Victoria Gardens, which was also crowded, so they drove to Worli. He went back to the zoo at the gardens the next day, and spent about 20 minutes in front of the lions and monkeys' cages.
Footnotes
- 1.It is not recorded where Baba stayed in Bombay, but most likely at Kaka Baria's sister's apartment.