They reached Tadepalligudem at 7:30 that evening. On the station platform, hundreds were waiting for Baba. Witnessing this sight on Earth, tears fell from the angels' eyes, and forming into rain clouds, they began drizzling down from the sky.
Members of the Meher Reception Committee came forward to greet Baba. When Baba stepped off of the train, Dr. Dhanapathy Rao garlanded him profusely, as did the others. Because of the unseasonal rain, they were confined to the station for about five minutes. All during this time, loud and vociferous acclamations rent the air, welcoming the Ancient One to Tadepalligudem.
In a car bedecked with thousands of flowers, Baba took his seat with Nariman, Meherjee, Eruch and Dhanapathy Rao. Everyone else boarded either cars or buses, which lined up behind Baba's car, forming a long procession. They were led out of the train station by a marching band as the crowd sang this sweet tune: " Namo Meher Baba, Avatar, Namo Dev Deva [Almighty Meher Baba, Avatar, God of all Gods]."
It was a splendorous and touching procession for the One who had come to set Andhra afire. But it was a fire of which no one was afraid. Instead, they rushed toward it to burn themselves. Such was its magnetic, hypnotic attraction.
At eight o'clock, the procession reached the dak bungalow where Baba was to stay. The mandali and others were accommodated in a board high school (one with boarding facilities). A local attorney, Josyula Venkateswara Rao, oversaw the preparation of their food.
On Sunday, 18 January, Baba proceeded to Dr. Dhanapathy's bungalow, where he first did his poor work, from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. As usual, he washed and placed his head on the feet of seven poor souls and paid each Rs.51. As stated, in every program during the Fiery Free Life, this activity had first priority. (Baba would also walk about to contact masts at each stopping place.)
Baba then washed and laid his head on the feet of a boy of seventeen named Bavisetti Murlidhar, and handed him fourteen rupees as prasad. He instructed the boy to utter his name before retiring for the night, never to tell a lie and not to do anything bad. The young man was permitted to accompany Baba and the group on the tour.
Baba next met Dhanapathy's family. He also saw the family of I. V. Seshagiri Rao, 58, the secretary and later vice-president of the Andhra Meher Center.
