On 18 April 1947, eighteen poor people from a nearby village were brought up the hill. Baba washed the feet of each person, bowed to them and handed them each ten rupees.
The weather was terrible during Baba's seclusion on the hill at Purandhar. It rained continuously with fierce winds due to a cyclone which was lashing the west coast of India concurrently with Baba's seclusion. On the 19th, Baba, with the mandali, the mast Ali Shah and two boys, departed Purandhar at noon for Udtara (near Satara), staying for one night in the dak bungalow there.1 Sarosh, Ramjoo and Adi Sr. came there to discuss Mehlu and Falu's future plans with Baba.
The next day, Sarosh rented Dhun Cottage in Satara, and Baba and everyone moved there. During the five-day stay in Dhun Cottage, Baba visited one of Shivaji's forts, Ajinkya Tara , two times, where he worked with Ali Shah. Baba visited another fort connected with Shivaji in the area, where he again sat secluded with Ali Shah.
On 24 April, Padri was called from Meherabad and Pendu was sent back. Padri, Baidul and Eruch kept strict watch whenever Baba worked with Ali Shah.
Two days later, on the 26th, Baba and the group left Satara for Mahabaleshwar, where Baba resumed his mast work. Baidul would venture out, locate masts and bring them to the Aga Khan Palace, where Baba worked with them.
Adi Sr. came to see Baba on the 30th in a specially arranged bus from Poona. With him were the Jessawala family and, from Bombay, Nariman, Kaka Baria and Ali Akbar (Aloba). Everyone, except the Jessawalas, returned the same day.
On Tuesday, 6 May 1947, Baba again went to Purandhar, this time with Mehera, Mani and Meheru. Don and Pappa accompanied them, and Eruch and Nilu arrived later, as did Eruch's sisters and Gaimai. Baba showed the women the Purandhar Fort and the place where he had sat in seclusion. He returned to Mahabaleshwar on the 8th.
Two days later, on the 10th, Adi Sr. was called to Mahabaleshwar with Vishnu, Nilu, Eruch, Jalbhai and his niece Gulnar. After lunch on Sunday, 11 May, Baba left again by car with Adi, Eruch and Jalbhai for mast work. He visited Satara, Kolhapur, Belgaum, Nipani and other towns, and at each place contacted various masts.
Footnotes
- 1.Udtara is where, nine years later, Baba was severely injured in an automobile accident in 1956.