After returning from the West Swamiji tried many times to visit Limbdi at the earnest invitation of Thakor Saheb but failed to do so. While Swamiji was in Khetri he received invitation from Thakore Saheb of Limbdi and decided to go to Limbdi. In his letter dated 14.12.1897 he wrote to his Gurubhai Swami Brahmanandaji, "The Raja of Limbdi, too is writing earnestly. I cannot avoid going there also. I shall make a lightning tour of Kathiawar - that is what it will come to" 20 Swamiji started for Limbdi from Khetri and came as far as Ratlam Junction but owing to indifferent health he was forced to give up his idea of visiting Gujarat.

In 1898, Swamiji went to Kashmir and from there he thought of coming to Gujarat. He wrote to Shri Haripada Mitra from Kashmir in his letter dated 17th September, 1898 "I shall probably visit Kutch, Bhuj, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Limbdi and Baroda and then proceed to Calcutta."21 However, this time also he could not carry out his intention due to poor health.

After returing from his second visit to the West, Swamiji again decided to visit Gujarat atre sick - must see them this time."23 This time also Swamiji's desire of visiting Limbdi and other places of Bombay Presidency remained unfulfilled.

Thus Swamiji could not fulfil his promise given to Thakore Saheb of coming to Limbdi to stay with him. Devotees however feel that in a mystical sense he did keep his promise. He could not come to Limbdi in physical form but perhaps he came in his fine form and that too, not alone, he brought Shri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother with him.

The fire in 1906, which consumed a major portion of the beautiful Limbdi palace, left untouched the Darbar Hall where Swamiji had stayed. Sixty five years later Shri Chhatrasalji, the present Thakore Saheb of Limbdi, donated the palace to a public body named "Shri Ramakrishna Prarthana Mandir". And now this trust has handed over the palace alongwith other properties to Ramakrishna Mission.

Today the portraits of Shri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda and a marble statue of Shri Ramakrishna are worshipped daily in what was earlier the Darbar Hall. How did it all happen? There is an interesting story behind if.

Shri Chhabilbhai Shah, a cotton merchant belonging to an orthodox Jain family had business interests in Rangoon, Calcutta and Bombay. Chronic stomach trouble compelled him to return to his hometown where he recovered his health. In October 1966 his wife Smt. Anjavaliben became a victim of acute diabetes. One day she told Shri Chhabilbhai that she had a vision of a yogi on the previous night and after saluting him she was feeling better. Shri Chhabilbhai started wondering as to who might be this yogi who saved the life of his wife. None could identify the Yogi. Meanwhile, Shri Chhabilbhai accidently happened to read a short sketch of Sri Ramakrihna's life in a Gujarati periodical (Akhand Ananda - August 67) and became curious to learn more about him. He got some books from Rajkot Ashrama and read them. Seeing a picture of Sri Ramakrishna in one of those books, Anjavaliben exclaimed that this was the Yogi she had seen in her vision. Both husband and wife became interested in Sri Ramakrishna. Soon a group was formed which frequently met and conducted prayer meetings. They started work in a small rented house. Their number grew and they felt the need of a more spacious and permanent place for their gathering. At that time the palace where Swamiji had stayed was lying idle. The Library etc. had already been destroyed in fire in 1906 and because of a few attempted thefts, valuables of gold and silver had already been shifted to some other place. Some local gentlemen had tried to get it for a college but the project had fallen through. Some one (may be jokingly suggested, "why not ask for the palace for our prayer meetings?" But Shri Chhabilbhai could not summon enough courage to ask for the palace for this purpose.

One night Shri Chhabilbhai heard a voice telling him "Ask for it, you will get it." The voice was heard thrice. The next morning he phoned to the Secretary of Rajamata to fix up an interview with her, informing her the purpose of his visit. The same evening he had an audience with Rajamata who was overjoyed to listen to this request of Shri Chhabilbhai but she did not show any outward sign. She said that she must get the concurrence of her son - Lalji (Shri Chhatrasalji) who was away in Delhi, before she takes final decision in the matter. In a week's time Shri Chhatrasalji returned and readily agreed to the proposal of conducting prayers in the Darbar Hall and later donated the whole palace to Shri Ramakrishna Prarthana Mandir (on 14.10.71).

Rajamata had readily agreed to donate the palace because she had already heard that some people had started Prarthana Mandal in Limbdi in the name of Shri Ramakrishna. In fact she had thought of visiting their place of prayer in cognito with a companion on the same day when Shri Chhabilbhai put up this request. But the cause of her thrilling joy was not solely due to this strange coincidence.

In 1954, Rajamata Shri Pravinkunverba (wife of late Shri Digvijaysinhiji who succeeded Shri Daulatsinghji, who was selected by Shri Yashwantsinghji as his heir, as he had no issue) had visited Mount Abu. There in the Ashrama of her Guru - Swami Shraddhanandaji she saw a picture hanging on the wall and asked excitedly "whose picture is it?" The Swami replied, "Why, he is Ramakrishna Paramahansa - a renowned saint of Bengal." Rajamata revealed that she had been having the vision of Shri Ramakrishna since 1951. While lying down she used to see a Yogi, with her open eyes, and the picture would travel on the wall facing her. She was exceedingly glad to know from her Guru that the visions she had were of Sri Ramakrishna. Later in 1954, when she was seriously sick she saw Shri Ramakrishna standing before her with a drop of tear in his eyes. He disappeared while blessing her with his right hand. Rajamata recovered from her illness and asked her Guru about the significance of this vision. Swami Shraddhanadaji said, "Probably Shri Ramakrishna wants to get some work done through you." Rajamata could not understand this work until 1968, 18 years later when Shri Chhabilbhai requested for the palace for Shri Ramakrishna.

Rajamata as well as other devotees feel that Swamiji kept his promise of coming to Limbdi, though in fine form and brought with him Shri Ramakrishna and the Holy Mother as well.

In Bhavnagar and Sihore

With letters of introduction from Thakore Saheb of Limbdi to various Rajas and Diwans of Kathiawar, Swamiji proceeded to Junagadh via Bhavnagar and Sihore after spending a few days at Limbdi. At Sihore, Swamiji is believed to have deeply meditated in the ancient temple of Gautameshwar Mahadev apart from seeing many places of historic importance. At Bhavnagar Swamiji must have spent a good deal of time in important discussions with the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. From him Swamiji got the letter of introduction addressed to Maharaja of Kolhapur. Maharaja of Bhavnagar Sir Takhtsinhji, G.C. S.I. L.L.D. (1858-1896) was, according to Houston "One of the most enlightened and progressive rulers that India has known". He spent over Rs. 1,25,00,000 on public works during his reign exclusive of the large outlay of Rs. 70 lakhs on construction of railway line. After returing from the West Swamiji sent two of his Gurubhais, Swami Turiyananda and Swami Saradananda to Gujarat to preach and to collect funds. Both of them spent about 3 months in Gujarat (From 22 February to 18 April 1899). At Bhavnagar they received a telegram from Swamiji to return directly as his health had deteriorated. This indicates that Swamiji's stay in Bhavanagar, though short, must have remained fruitful.

Austerities at Girnar

After reaching Junagadh Swamiji became the guest of Shri Haridas Viharidas Desai, Diwan of Junagadh and later he stayed with Shri Chhaganlal Pandya, who was Manager in Diwan's office. Swamiji saw many ancient monuments and ruins - an old fortress called Uparkot, an old Rajput palace, two ancient wells, Khapra Khodia caves dating back to the Buddhist period, perhaps used as monasteries, 'Ashoka Shilalekh' in which the edicts of Emperor Ashoka and of the other emperors are inscribed and many other places of historical importance.

Girnar, a group of about ten hills, highest of which is Gorakhnath (about 3600 ft.) has been a place of pilgrimage sacred to Buddhists, Jains and Hindus alike before the days of Ashoka (272-231 B.C.). For Swamjji, it must have been of special interest because here Pavahari Baba was initiated into the mysteries of yoga. 26 He sought out a cave and practised meditation for a few days during which Diwan Saheb took all possible care of him.

With Shri Chhaganlal Pandya in Junagadh

For a few days Swamiji stayed with Shri Chhaganlal Harilal Pandya (1859-1936), a great scholar and Manager of Diwanji Saheb, who became his staunch admirer. About Swamiji's stay in his house he gave a delightful account - how he charmed everybody by his personality, vast scholarship, songs and discourses and not the least by his proficiency in the art of cuisine, specially by the 'excellent rasagollas' he prepared. In his talks Swamiji spoke of Jesus Christ as also of Shri Ramakrishna.

While giving his opinion about a book on Shri Ramakrishna (in Gujarati) Shri Pandya wrote (in Gujarati) in his letter dated 2-3-1918 to the publisher, "I heard directly from Swami Vivekananda as to how much joy he derived while listening to the nectar-like words of Shri Ramakrishna, how he received special grace of Shri Ramakrishna and how due to his overwhelming love and faith towards him it was possible for him to acquire Brahmavidya. I spent a long time with him at Junagadh."

While giving his opinion about the book of Swami Vivekananda in Gujarati, he wrote (in Gujarati) in his letter dated 9.10.1921 to the publisher, "I had the blessed privilege of coming in contact with Swami Vivekananda, therefore he himself had told me many things about his life... I had come to know as to how many difficulties he had to face for keeping up his vows of Brahmacharya. And when I think, with how much simplicity and humility he used to stay with us, in spite of being such a great scholar, feelings of great regard inevitably fill my mind."

With Shri Mansukhram Tripathi

Swamiji visited Junagadh many times. During one of the trips he had also stayed with Shri Mansukhram Tripathi, the well-known writer and scholar of Gujarat, a man of high character, who preferred higher values of life. Had he possessed ambition for public and civic honours, his high qualities would have been the means of gratifying it, but being a man of studious disposition he was reluctant to accept honours even if thrust upon him. Owing to these traits of his character he was able to enrich the vernacular literature of India by his contribution in literary, and philosophical subjects through the medium of Gujarati. Swamiji must have enjoyed the company of his host (although he was 23 years elder to him) their common interest being Vedanta. We get confirmation about Swamiji's stay with Shri Mansukhram Tripathi from the account given by Swami Abhedananda in his auto-biography.

"On arrival at Junagadh, I came to hear from people that a Bengali sannyasi with high English education was staying for some days at the house of Mansukhram Suryaram Tripathi, a Gujarati brahmin, who was the Private Secretary of the local Nawab.. Elated with joy I reached the house of Mansukhram and immediately found that my conjecture was true. Narendranath brightened up with joy to see me unexpectedly.. Fortunately when I arrived there Narendranath was discussing some topic of non-dualistic Vedanta with Mr. Tripathi.. I gladly stayed in his house for three or four days in the company of Narendranath and then I got ready to start for Dwarka."