MEHER  BABA'S

1924 : BRITISH INDIA

Baroda to Pavagad Hill - Walking Trip

August 1924

The next afternoon, 28th August at 4pm, they walked to Pavagarh ( Pavagad ) town and further along reached the foot of the mountain ( Pavagarh Hills ) at 9pm. They made their way through a narrow jungle path reaching a dharmashla and rested for the night. A local policeman urged them all to sleep indoors due to wild animals roaming the jungle.

On the 29th, they awoke at 6am and soon began climbing the steep mountain. Fog had settled during their trek, and Baba was still very sick with his stomach, but he kept a brisk pace, stopping for tea a couple of times. After climbing for 3 miles, they reached the summit and the Hindu temple ( Kalika Mata Temple ) at the top, which was dedicated to 'Kali' - the mother of the Universe.

Baba and the Mandali went into the temple and bowed down to the 'Divine Mother'.

Beyond the temple was the tomb of a Muslim saint *Sajjan Shah Wali, Baba led the men inside and they bowed down on the saint's tomb.

They then hiked to the ruin fort of Pavaghad. They all took in the scenic views of the mountain range and valley and then Baba talked to the men about whether they should move there permanently or at the Sinhgad Forts near Poona. They then descended the mountain at 12pm and had lunch. They then returned to Baroda at 8:15pm, staying at the Gujarat Lodge.

Baroda to Pavaghad : 55 kms / 34 miles ( rail & walked )

Total return : 110 kms / 68 miles

    BEHERAM H. IRANI                       PADRI DRIVER                       GUSTADJI HANSOTIA  

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In the original text in both publications of Ramjoo Diaries & Lord Meher Vol 2, they mention going to Mt. Abu from Pavaghad. The actual location of Mt. Abu in Rajasthan is some 343 kms / 213 miles away. What I believe they were actually implying was that the mount at Pavaghad is the Gujarat version of the actual Mt. Abu. The mention of Mt. Abu in text from the start of the first paragraph above, was removed.

* There is no mention of Sajjan Shah Wali's tomb at Pavagadh, but there was of Sadan Shah Pir.

Sajjan Shah Wali's tomb is located in Jalgaon, some 443 kms / 275 miles away from Baroda.

The old structure when Baba visited in 1924 contained both temples, but in 2022 the tomb of Sadan Shah Pir was dismantled and moved elsewhere and a whole new temple was built. This is part of the Hindu Nationalist policy to ancient shrines.

In the original texts, it's stated they "hiked to a fort" after visiting the temple.

Not sure where this fort is, possibly near Champaner.

The road-path from the village of Pavaghad to the Kalika Mata Temple is a long convoluted trek, especially a century ago, due to the terrain.

Map of India with marker.                                  Topographical maps of Pavaghad Mount

August continued ...

The next day, 30th August, Baba said to the men " Oh God, I am not a Baba!" and then cried out "It is you who have bestowed Baba-hood upon me ! Now sadhus and saints want to crush me !"

It appeared later, all these calls, etcetera, were just Baba goading Padri who was 21 y.o.

He had many disturbing thoughts about spirituality ever since he took the animals- Sufi & Saint to Upasni Maharaj, who would abuse him terribly, this had shaken Padri, very much.

On the 9th September, Baba left Baroda after 18 days and headed for Bombay by train. Adi was telegraphed instructing him to meet them at Vajidfar's home in the Irani Mansion in Dadar. They stayed there for a week; a permanent residence still was not decided.

 * Baroda to Bombay : 394 kms / 244 miles ( rail )

Total trip : Hardwar to Bombay : 2,817 kms / 1,750 miles

1924  AUGUST to  DECEMBER