What was the significance of Sai Baba's portrait in the story of Kakasaheb Dixit's journey to Shirdi?

The portrait of Sai Baba played a deeply significant role in Kakasaheb Dixit's journey, acting as a tangible sign of Baba's grace and presence. According to Chapter 51, this specific photograph had been sent from Shirdi to Nagar for repair and was being kept at Mirikar's house, veiled by a curtain. Just as Dixit and Madhavrao finalized their travel plans, the portrait was unveiled and entrusted to Madhavrao to carry back. For Dixit, who longed for Baba's darshan, the sudden appearance of this beautiful image was overwhelming. He saw it as Baba Himself coming to meet him on the way, which banished his worries and filled him with extreme delight for the journey ahead.