Baba departed Meherastana for Lucknow by car on the 10th of February. Every part of Hamirpur District had been brought to life in his love. The workers became more alert to do his work wholeheartedly, and after making special room in his Infinite Heart for them, the God-Man departed. Acclamations of his Jai! thundered as he drove off. Some wept; some remained quiet, controlling their tears; and some continued to shout his name.
The mandali followed by bus, and on the way, a wonderful sight met their eyes. Some of the local women were drawing water from a well, singing, " Hari Baba, Hari Baba! Meher Baba, Hari, Hari! " Unbeknownst to them the Lord himself, was passing by and heard their spontaneous chant.
When the group arrived in Kanpur, Baba asked, "What is the best thing available here to eat?"
One of the Hamirpur workers who had accompanied them answered, "Benarsi barfi [a fudge-like sweet]." With everyone following, Baba himself went to a nearby sweetmeat shop to make the purchase, but no one knew why. Barfi was bought, and Baba remained standing in the shop for a few minutes, enjoying the sweet. He asked Eruch to inquire who owned the establishment. It was learned that it belonged to Sitaram, a Baba lover who had gone to Hamirpur for Baba's darshan and had not yet returned. Baba had sanctified his premises by stepping in and tasting some of its wares.
The group then proceeded to Lucknow. When they arrived there, the Hamirpur workers were sent back. After embracing Keshav, Bhavani Prasad and others, Baba left Lucknow by train and reached Mahabaleshwar on Friday, 12 February 1954. Preparations immediately began for the journey to Andhra.
During the previous two years, the divine fire had raged through every house in Andhra Pradesh, and centers in Meher Baba's name had been established at various places. People had beseeched Baba for darshan, and arrangements for it had started months before. The people themselves had turned into "Baba centers." This time the entire cost of the journey for Baba and his group was to be met by the Andhra lovers, whereas during the previous visit lovers from elsewhere had paid their traveling expenses.
The same group of individuals who had gone with Baba to Hamirpur accompanied him to Andhra, with the addition of Adi Sr., Francis Brabazon (who had been invited to come to India from Australia for two weeks), Krishna Nair and Shahastrabudhe (of Mahabaleshwar) — eighteen men in all.