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some orthodox managers of the property were against giving this Dela for Santbal. Santbalji had no objection to stay at any place, but the organisers of his visit were anxious to see that a big place which could accommodate a meeting of thousands of people was available. The Government was in possession of several such places and the Chief Minister and other ministers were ready to offer one of such places for Chaturmas of the Saint, but the later was not willing to accept any Government accommodation.
It was found that some portion of Mahajan Dela was given to a party on lease, and that party was willing to give the portion of his possession for use in Chaturmas. Santbal agreed to go there provided the landlord Mahajan agreed. That was agreed upon and it was decided that the Saint should stay there for Chaturmas.
Since the nuns were already camping for Chaturmas in the other portion of Mahajan Dela, Santbal went to them for their Darshan and arranged that they should first give their sermons and his own sermons would follow theirs. This was a unique type of gesture as it was customary with the male dominated society that as between male and female Saints it is the former who would take priority in every thing including giving of sermons. The Saint never believed in such irrational discrimination. His gesture created a very good impression.
As the days passed on, the attendance in the Saint's sermons was day-to-day increasing and the space in the leased portion occupied by him was found to be very short. So loudspeakers were required to be arrangad in the space outside the Dela. This was something which orthodox Jains would not have liked as being against their out-dated notions.
It was usual practice with Santbal to have prayer meetings at night and to address the gathering at the end of the prayers. These night meetings attracted more attention especially of the ladies as
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