News was brought that the entire town was eager for his darshan and had already collected in the pandal and were awaiting his arrival. The opposition had in fact created more longing and interest among people, and even every child in Navsari knew of his coming.
Baba remarked to Hoshang Bharucha, "I will not visit anyone's house during my stay, as there is no time to spare."
Hoshang had not informed Baba about his mother's feelings and was highly impressed by Baba's telling him this, which saved him the embarrassment of revealing his mother's stern attitude. Baba sat down for a hurried lunch of rice and dal, and gave a little to Bharucha and Vesuna before sending them away to make sure everything was in order for the darshan.
Hoshang stopped on the way to inform his mother that Meher Baba would not be visiting their home, but when he arrived he found her marvelously transformed. She too was now anxious for Baba's darshan, and after Hoshang told her about Baba's arrival, she left for Meher Cottage and was there with Baba until 9:00 P.M.
Khorshed Dastur, the wife of the local chief Zoroastrian priest, also came to Meher Cottage, which was surprising because it was against their orthodox tradition for a priest's wife to go for anyone's darshan. Some of the Parsi youth had even been urged to chant slogans against Meher Baba in an attempt to disrupt the darshan — and then people saw the wife of their chief priest conversing with Baba! The woman reverently washed Baba's feet, garlanded him and ended by having Baba lay his feet in a silver tray full of kumkum (auspicious red powder) which she then passed to those in the crowd for each to apply a bit of the thus-blessed powder to his or her forehead.
Navsari, like Bombay, is considered a Parsi stronghold and, as related, protests against Baba were planned.
When told of this, Baba remarked casually, "I have come here for my dear ones of Meher Cottage. They wanted me here. I have also come with the purpose of seeing my Navsari lovers who were longing for my darshan. Half my purpose is served by my staying in Meher Nivas [Abode], and the rest will be served by my presence at the place of darshan from 2:30 to 5:00 P.M."
Baba arrived at the site at 2:15 P.M. A huge pandal had been erected and richly decorated. Cries of Baba's Jai resounded throughout, and on Baba's ascending the dais he was welcomed with the sweet strains of " Yuga Avatar, Yuga Avatar [Avatar of the Age]!" sung by Bachoobhai's bhajan party. Thousands joined in, and the strong fragrance of Wine wafted throughout the gathering.