A very notable episode occurred at Benares in 1919, soon after Upasni Maharaj had settled at Sakori. The occasion was a maha-yajna, a sacrificial fire ritual attended by thousands of brahmins. There were over a hundred officiating priests at this revered rite. Upasni Maharaj was contributing a feast, and insisted upon displaying a large painting of Sai Baba, who had taken mahasamadhi the previous year.