While at Guruprasad, Pukar had discussed with Baba an idea that Pukar had had concerning the purchase of a huge piece of land in Hamirpur. Pukar had imagined that a group of devotees might establish a settlement there. Baba approved the idea, and so plans were made on a grand scale to inaugurate the project in Hamirpur at the annual Meher Mela, which was to be held from 15–19 November. Baba sent Hoshang Bharucha of Navsari, and Sanjeevani Dhakephalkar of Ahmednagar, as his representatives, and after first meeting Baba at Meherazad on 6 November 1964, they left for Hamirpur.
“”Baba embraced them and remarked, "Carry my embrace to the thousands collected at Hamirpur."
Many lovers from all over the country took part in the mela, including Shuddhananda Bharati, Dr. Moorty, Begum Akhtar, Mohan-Saigal, and others from Poona, Bombay, Delhi, Dehra Dun, Jabalpur, Nagpur and Ahmednagar.
The colony was christened Meherpuri . ( Puri means a sanctified settlement for a community.) In the central area of the colony, a foundation was laid for erecting a life-size marble statue of Baba. A marble stone slab was brought by Meherjee on which to mount the sculpture. (This slab Baba had especially stood upon with folded hands and saluted the men mandali.) Also sent were two large rocks from Seclusion Hill that had been blessed by Baba, and these were placed in the ground by Hoshang Bharucha on 18 November. The rocks were then covered with cement and bricks. Baba also sent a special photograph of himself which was unveiled by Gajwani.
Baba then sent a telegram to Pukar, Keshav and Sripat Sahai saying how happy their love and work toward Meherpuri and the mela had made him. On Baba's first visit to Hamirpur in November 1952, while traveling by the eventual site of Meherpuri, Baba had pointed out the place to Pukar. Pukar could not follow the meaning of Baba's gesture at that time, and thinking that Baba was asking about the standing crop in that field, he innocently replied that it was millet. Baba smiled, and Pukar wondered what it was that Baba had wished to indicate, thinking that there was more to Baba's gesture than he had guessed. It was only twelve years later, when this same land was selected and purchased for Meherpuri, that he realized the significance of Baba's gesture.
“”During the recent Poona workers' meeting, Baba had told them: "If you want to see me and witness my love, go to Hamirpur. I will be there."
Those who had gone found his presence in Hamirpur and returned drenched with Wine!
