Eruch and Gustadji cleaned Baba's feet, and Pillay's two daughters, Mira and Veena, garlanded Baba. This was the family whom Baba had sent to Andhra from Dehra Dun with Kutumba Sastri in 1953. Mira had found a good job with the railways, but Veena was still like a mastani, although now she was eating and appeared healthy.
At about 5:30 that morning Baba entered the mass darshan pandal erected in front of Dhanapathy's residence. People were anxious to touch Baba's feet, because several had secretly observed the ceremony at Dhanapathy's through the windows.
Baba admonished them: "If you love me, why don't you listen to me? When I say do not touch my feet, why don't you obey? You don't understand the importance of this moment for which even great saints wait for ages! So, take advantage of this occasion by doing as I say. Now, keep quiet."
All became quiet, and the mandali performed Baba's arti in Gujarati, and Bhaskara Raju sang his bhajan: "Namo Meher Baba, Avatar, Namo Dev Deva!"
The Telugu arti was sung, and Bapiraju offered prayers in Telugu. Abdul Majid Khan repeated it in English, and the women sang Baba's arti in Marathi. After darshan and prasad distribution, Baba retired to his residence at the dak bungalow.
At seven o'clock, after a brief rest, Baba was taken through the town in a long procession. His car was decorated with flowers, and a band playing lively music led the way. The sky echoed with thunderous cries of "Avatar Meher Baba ki jai!" and " Bhagwan [God] Meher Baba ki jai!" Men and women hurried out of their homes to garland Baba.
It was a marvelous scene. The doors of the Tavern were flung open, and people rushed inside acclaiming the Avatar after tasting his Wine! Such a scene is witnessed on this earthly plane after a lapse of ages. The Earth greeted the Ancient One that day with wild abandon and Age smiled with great joy. The sun rose, bowed and touched the Messiah's feet with its rays.
The procession arrived at Dhanapathy's house at 8:40 A.M., and Baba took his seat in the pandal. Pundits chanted shlokas in Baba's praise, Ramjoo recited prayers in Urdu, Deshmukh in Marathi and Jagannadham Pantulu in Telugu. Kutumba Sastri gave a short welcome speech, and Ramjoo read out Filis Frederick's editorial in The Awakener (January 1954 issue) on "The Divine Birth."