Those who could come, rushed to Meherabad as soon as they heard the news. Many came without official leave from their jobs, many without a change of clothes and little or no money. Special buses were arranged to carry the lovers to Meherabad. On the morning of Saturday, 1 February 1969, Dr. Ginde and Francis were adamant that Baba's body be interred, but Sarosh, Nusserwan Satha and Piloo Mama Satha (Eruch's maternal uncles) were equally insistent that it not be, demanding the lovers must have darshan! Their argument had the desired effect.
Baba had previously remarked, "I will give darshan lying down," and he had even mentioned that his head would be raised so that his lovers could see him from a distance.
The full impact of his words now registered as Baba, laying in his crypt, kept his promise by giving darshan to his lovers.
Thus, Baba remained in his open crypt for seven days, and a soft luster appeared over his face as if he were simply asleep. For seven days and nights the Divine Beloved gave darshan to several thousand of his lovers. It was an unforgettable week of darshan on Meherabad Hill, where lovers thronged to bow down one final time, to offer him garlands of roses and flowers, to sing his praises and to shed tears of love at his feet.
After having had darshan, while coming out of the Tomb, some persons exclaimed, "Oh how beautiful Baba looks! How young he appears!"
"And why shouldn't he have?" Age asked. "Had he not said, 'I am Love'? It was love that was taking darshan of Love. All thoughts of attachments, desires and wants were absent; lovers were seeing Love in the splendor of the Beloved's face. The love of those who came was full of pain and heartache, which Love alone causes. Love requires longing, and this was the reason It showed them a glimpse of Its glory."
Overnight Meherabad was transformed from a peaceful, quiet, remote spot into a crowded place of pilgrimage. Rows and rows of conveyances crowded onto the roadside as buses, cars, taxis, bicycles, motor scooters, tongas and bullock carts assembled. A board was erected, directing people up the hill, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for Padri to assist the ever growing crowd. To accommodate the mourners, every inch of space outside the Tomb and around the hill was utilized. There was no food available, but a roadside refreshment stall sprung up to supply tea.
Chhagan cooked and brought food on Sunday, 2 February 1969, and he did so again on the 6th.