Also during 1925, a respectable Brahmin elder named Dnyaneshwar Ramchandra Shahane, who was a resident of Ahmednagar and owned land near Arangaon, often came to Meherabad for Baba's darshan. His son Mohan was suffering from a disease which was not being cured despite the best possible medical treatment. One day Shahane beseeched the Master about his son's affliction, and Baba advised him to keep his son at Meherabad where he would recover.
Gradually Mohan did regain his health. After some time, Kaka Shahane, as he was called, moved to Meherabad with his entire family and all began living according to Baba's instructions. They were accommodated in the Family Quarters , a bungalow rented by Baba on a piece of land near the village. Shahane became completely devoted to the Master and surrendered to Baba's guidance for the rest of his life. Baba always cared for the whole family's maintenance, which proved not insignificant since Shahane and his wife, Manutai, had four daughters and three sons.
At Meherabad, in March 1925, two humble Hindu temples were constructed out of bamboo matting. One was meant for the low-caste Harijans and the other for the higher-caste Brahmins. A man named Vishwanath was appointed as the high-caste priest. The simple temples had photographs of gurus and pictures of favorite Hindu devas (Ganesh, Dattatrey and Hanuman) hung on the walls. The photographs of the gurus included Babajan, Sai Baba, Upasni Maharaj, and Meher Baba. The children of Arangaon would worship and sing bhajans in the Harijan temple. During Hindu festivals, both temples were decorated and the holy days were observed with great ceremony and devotion.
Saturday, 21 March 1925, was the Persian New Year of Jamshed-e-Navroz (the day when the sun enters the vernal equinox). Many Zoroastrian devotees came to Meherabad and a grand feast was held. But, more importantly, that day marked the opening of Meher Charitable Dispensary and Hospital . These facilities were located in the Mess Quarters (later known as the Dharamshala) which the mandali had repaired in 1923 and again during the ghamela yoga phase in 1924.
As requested by the Master, Rustom and his father performed the opening ceremony of the dispensary and hospital — unlocking the door with a decorated key. The local villagers assembled and were informed that all persons suffering affliction — no matter of what religion, caste or creed — would be treated free of charge. Those who required hospitalization would be kept at Meherabad, and all arrangements would be provided for their food and clothing.
