A group of pilgrims from Madras is mentioned in the text. What does their story reveal about Shirdi's role as a pilgrimage site?

The story of the pilgrims from Madras, as detailed in Chapter 29, illustrates Shirdi's growing importance as a major spiritual destination. This group was originally on a formal pilgrimage to Kashi but made a specific stop at Shirdi to have Baba's darshan. This detour signifies that Baba's fame had spread as far as Madras (now Chennai) and that his presence made Shirdi a vital stop for those on a sacred journey. Chapter 29 notes that upon taking his darshan, the group "attained peace" and stayed for several days to perform devotional singing, indicating that Shirdi was not just a waypoint but a place of profound spiritual experience and solace.