How did the differing religious beliefs of Babasaheb Tarkhad and his son create a conflict regarding the family's trip to Shirdi?

The conflict arose from the distinct religious practices within the Tarkhad family, as explained in Chapter 9. The son was a devout follower who practiced daily ritualistic idol worship, specifically by making food offerings to a photograph of Sai Baba. His father, Babasaheb Tarkhad, was a follower of the Prarthana Samaj, a reformist movement that was generally not supportive of idol worship. This ideological difference was a "great puzzle" for the son, who worried that his father would not be willing or able to continue the daily worship rituals in his absence. The son's devotion was so tied to this act that he couldn't imagine leaving without ensuring its continuation, creating a point of tension that had to be resolved before he could agree to travel.