Can you synthesize the information about Sai Baba's early practices, his residence, and his interactions with other saints?

In his early days, Maharaj resided primarily in a dilapidated Masjid, alternating nights between there and the Chavadi. During this period, as noted in Chapter 0, he would provide medicine to people free of charge and even personally care for patients. He later transitioned from giving medicine to giving only Udi (ash), a shift he connected to his spiritual practice of chanting 'Hari Hari.' It was during this formative time that his profound spiritual nature was recognized by other holy men. For instance, the famous Gangagir Baba, upon first seeing him, declared to villagers that Maharaj was 'purely a gem' of 'very great' worth, validating his status long before his fame spread widely.