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Baba's Holy Name first began to vibrate in the hearts of the people in the district of Hamirpur (U.P.) in 1948. And it was then that love for His Name drew people together for the first time, and so began what was to become a yearly Baba Fair. The first Baba Fair began at Alampura. But it was not until Baba set foot in the district on 18th November, 1952, that the real flame of devotion began to spread, for it was then that His former lovers received a new and loving enthusiasm, and thousands of villagers who gathered at different places for Baba's darshan also began to feel the loving influence of the Avatar. To commemorate the loving memory of this visit, Baba-lovers decided to hold a Baba Fair every year at Alampura, Ichhuara, Nauranga, Meherastana-Mahewa, etc.
Drawn by the love of His simple-hearted Hamirpur lovers, Baba again visited the district in February, 1954. The first place Baba sanctified with His Presence was Ichhuara on the 3rd of February. Coincidentally, this was the most important day of the "Poorna Kumbha" Fair at Allahabad when lakhs of pilgrims bathe in the confluence of Ganga and Jamuna. It was on this day that Baba waded through the waters of the Betwa river and used the water for His bath also. It was because of this that Ichhuara became one of the places of pilgrimage for Baba's Love. During this second visit of Baba, many thousands more flocked for His darshan.
The most important event during this trip was the celebration of Baba's Birthday on 12th of February, according to the Parsi calendar, at Meherastana-Mahewa. On this particular day Baba was with His lovers for the whole night, during which Baba-bhajans were being sung. It was at this time that He declared Himself as the Avatar, the Ancient One, to the large gathering of His lovers. The whole atmosphere was wonderfully surcharged with love, and the unique significance of the declaration has been deeply engraved on the hearts of His lovers.
Baba’s second visit was divine fuel to the fire lit in the hearts of His first lovers and in the hearts of the thousands who had His darshan during the first visit; and the yearly Fairs have not only kept the flame burning. but have helped to touch and ignite other hearts.
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