The next step was from individual worship to congregational worship. It was in 1908 that the change was started. Congregational worship implied that there would be some one to officiate as the pujari (Priest) and that he would be available at various periods of worship viz. Matins, vespers, night artis and noon artis etc.
For this purpose, Hari Vinayak Sathe, a Settlement Officer, (who in 1905 was blessed by Baba, with the promise of a son in case he married, and who got married in consequence) sent up one Megha-shyam called Megha to Shirdi. So that he might officiate as the pujari and carry on congregational worship.
Megha usually went out five miles to fetch Godavari water for the daily worship, and three or four miles to fetch bel leaves which are said to be specially appropriate for Siva (=Sai, for Megha) worship (Eka Bilvam Sivarpanam that is one bel leaf even is sufficient offering to Siva). When the very orthodox Megha thus became an ardent devotee of Baba, others followed suit and joined in the congregational worship.
"I draw to Me, My man from far off or even across the seven Seas to Shirdi, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet"-Shirdi Sai Baba, Indian Spiritual Guru-God 