Originally Baba had been scheduled to land in Bombay on the 16th at 6:45 P.M., but they were now detained for 20 hours in Colombo and had to spend the night at the grand Mount Lavinia Hotel, seven miles outside the city on a promontory overlooking the sea. Baba had foretold that the flight might be detained and that it would be necessary for him to rest for two days somewhere before returning to India — and it had come about in a natural way.
Baba ordered Meherjee to send a telegram to Satara, explaining that they were delayed in Colombo because of the Suez Crisis, and they would be arriving in Satara a day late. To save money Meherjee wrote "Campsatara" as one word.
Baba advised him to write the address as two words, but Meherjee said, "I always send telegrams like this, Baba, and they always reach their destination." Baba became annoyed but did not argue his point further, and Meherjee sent the telegram accordingly. It was never received and, meanwhile, the men and women mandali in Satara were quite anxious about Baba's whereabouts.
Baba left Colombo at 9:00 A.M. on Friday, 17 August 1956 and landed in Bombay at 1:00 P.M. the same day. Age noted, "The Avatar had circled the globe in 30 days, flying 30,000 miles over four continents."
According to Baba's wish, Bhau had come to Bombay from Satara with Ismail (whom he had been tutoring while Baba was away), and both met Baba at the airport with Nariman. Waman had brought Adi's car from Ahmednagar. No other lovers were permitted to be present as Baba was still in seclusion.
Leaving the Bombay airport, Baba and the mandali drove to Ashiana. After having tea, Baba, Eruch, Nilu, Meherjee, Bhau and Ismail drove to Satara in Meherjee's car and arrived the same day. A telegram had been sent from Bombay to the women in Satara — but it reached them only an hour before Baba did. Adi stayed behind in Bombay and returned to Ahmednagar on the 19th.
On reaching Satara, Baba inquired about the telegram Meherjee had sent.
When he heard that it had not been received, he was greatly perturbed and scolded Meherjee, "Why didn't you do as I told you? Where is that telegram now?"
Meherjee acknowledged his mistake and regretted trying to save a little money. He departed for Poona the next day.