The large painting done by Rano of Baba seated, titled The Avatar , was to be sent to Srivastava to be displayed at his house during the Kumbha Mela. But Baba specified that the painting should not reach Srivastava until after he had left Allahabad.
Immediately after Baba's decision to go to Allahabad was announced, maya seemed to cause its usual opposition. The government of India canceled all special, express trains to Allahabad on account of military requirements. Even the number of trains was reduced, as were also the number of carriages in the remaining trains.
Baba left Meherabad early in the morning on Monday, 29 December 1941 and went to the train station, accompanied by Baidul, Eruch, Chhagan, Gustadji, Kaka, Pendu and Savak. At the station they were informed that the tracks were blocked by special army troop trains and it was not known when the Allahabad train would arrive. To avoid a long delay, Baba decided to travel to the railway junction of Manmad in a private bus provided by Sarosh.
On the way, they passed by Shirdi and Sakori, and Baba pointed out Dahigaon, where the last meeting between himself and Upasni Maharaj had taken place. The men wondered to themselves whether it was really an "unforeseen" turn of events that had made Baba change his plans at the last moment and travel to Manmad by bus. Or, whether it had deeper significance: Namely, that Baba was going to do his important work after having first passed through the spiritual atmosphere of the ashrams of two of his Masters.
As the bus neared the Ankai Hills ten miles from Manmad, Baba decided to stop near a stream for breakfast. He sat with the men under a huge banyan tree while all enjoyed the repast. Ankai was the place where Baba had sent Gustadji, Pleader, Savak and Bhabananda to stay in seclusion, and where Gustadji had revolted against the harsh treatment and regime meted out to the group by Pappa Jessawala.
Meanwhile the mandali became anxious about finding space in a train compartment when they reached Manmad station. To their surprise, the train arrived with plenty of room in several third–class compartments. They had an almost empty compartment to themselves.
Baba remarked, "Make sure that the carriage is going direct to Allahabad and won't be detached at an intermediate station."
The mandali inquired, and were assured that the compartment was going all the way to Allahabad.