MEHER  BABA'S

1924 : BRITISH INDIA

Ooty to Kellar  - Walking Trip

August 1924

Baba had a bad stomach upset during this travelling. At 12:15pm, they changed to the miniature train on a narrow rail gauge, to take them up to the hills, reaching Ooty at 3:30pm and at a height of 7,250 feet (2,210 metres) above sea level, and it was very cold.

There were no suitable hotel lodgings anywhere, those that were available, were too unsanitary. They sought permission and they slept the night in an empty train carriage parked on a siding. They left Ooty at 6:20pm after touring the nearby area and returned by train to Coonoor at 7:45pm.

That night, Baba had a fever all night, and by the next morning 7th August, he insisted on walking, to "Petroleum", some 21 miles (34 kms) away, leaving at 7:20am. Along the way, they had lunch and Baba told Padri "Don't ever become a Baba if you can help it".

RD p356

August continued ...

Although this whole area consisted mainly of tea plantations, all of the tea produced went for export, and only coffee was offered at all of the stops. Baba consumed nothing the whole way. They reached Kellar (Kalla) station after trekking for 16 miles ( 26 kms) and they covered the remaining 5 miles (8 kms) by train to Metropalayam.

They returned to Madras by train without incident arriving at 8:30am on 8th August.

After arriving, they stayed in one of the traveller's hotels. One of the men travelling with Meher Baba- Baily Irani, said he had enough and was sent back to Poona with some excess luggage by train.

The other 3 men went with Baba to the Central Madras Railway Station on the 9th and departing at 8am. The men were Padri, Beheramji & Gustadji.

RD p.357-8

LM p.666

1924  AUGUST to  DECEMBER