The procession that took Shri Nathji through the city of Akola was magnificent to behold. The roads had been especially swept clean that day and watered by the City Municipality in honour of the distinguished visitor.
Shri Nathji, along with his son and daughter-in-law, rode in an open horse drawn carriage, a large decorated umbrella over their heads. There were elephants, and horses, and cars. A band played soulful tunes on the ‘shaihnaayi’ whilst a loudspeaker blared out, Nishkalank Premavatar Shri Bhola Nathji Bhagwan ki Jai!
The procession wound its way through the city. People were drawn towards it irresistibly. Even the Gods had come down to witness this triumph of spirituality. The Emperor of the Universe was being taken in procession through the streets of Akola.
There was Shri Nathji’s verse echoing silently in the air:
Aati hai Jahaan men Shahe Mashraq ki savaari
Mit taa hai syaahi kaa ye ab zange zamaanaa
The Procession of the Emperor of the East has come,
The rust of the darkness of the ages has gone
Groups of people stopped the procession at various places and garlanded Shri Nathji, and applied tilak of vermilion to his forehead.
There was a certain Rajabhau Phalke of the Sanjivani Medical Stores in Akola who saw a vision of the Divine in Shri Nathji as the procession passed by his house, and he ran forward to garland Shri Nathji.