Taking his seat on the chair, Baba provided all a clear view of him. Baba's chair had been placed just inside Vithoba's temple in the dharamshala in such a way that his body concealed Vithoba's statue behind him. It was only natural that the idol, which was worshiped all year round, would lose its importance when Meher Baba, the living Lord Vithoba, was present before them!
Pointing to Baba, Gadge Maharaj addressed the pilgrims: "I am overwhelmed with joy today to have Meher Baba in our midst, and I wish that you all take his darshan. In truth, he is the Jagat Guru [Master of the World] in the real sense of the word, as he is the one Eternal Being who really serves the whole world."
He exhorted all: "Take Meher Baba's darshan wholeheartedly, as Baba has blessed you by his very presence here."
Baba rose from his chair and for a few seconds stood with folded hands in salutation to the mass of humanity gathered. He then sat down on one of the temple steps. All joined in the singing of bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna, clapping their hands in accompaniment. After a few minutes, Gadge Maharaj held up his hand to stop the bhajan and, garlanding Baba, laid his head on Baba's feet in front of the thousands gathered. This was an astonishing sight for those who loved and considered him as a great saint (some devotees even considered him to be a Sadguru). Accepting his worship, Baba passed his hand lovingly over Maharaj's face, and went on patting him gently.
Addressing the assembly again, Gadge Maharaj declared: "People all over the world anxiously seek Meher Baba's darshan — they come from thousands of miles away just to have a glimpse of him, whereas you who are present here today are truly fortunate that Baba has personally come from Satara to afford you the rare opportunity of having his contact."
With rising fervor and reverence, Maharaj added: "Reap the full benefit of Meher Baba's gracious presence by taking his darshan with full devotion and faith." He ended his speech with a wholehearted "Avatar Meher Baba ki jai!" over the microphone.
The photographer Bhaiya Panday of Ahmednagar took some photographs of the occasion. He would seldom miss such an opportunity at any function.
Baba teased him, "Would you please allow me to relax a little now?"
Panday replied, "My camera is restless, Baba."