What was the spiritual atmosphere of Shirdi like when Maharaj first arrived, and how was he initially perceived by other saints?

When Maharaj first came to Shirdi, the village was already a place touched by holy men, serving as a path for pilgrims. According to Chapter 0, a saint named Devidas was present, and another advanced saint, Janakidas, stayed for many days and spent a lot of time with Maharaj. The most striking perceptions came from visiting saints. The famous Gangagir Baba, upon seeing Maharaj carrying water, immediately recognized his greatness, calling him a 'gem' and telling the villagers how lucky they were. This indicates that while the village was accustomed to holy men, Maharaj was instantly recognized by his peers as a figure of immense spiritual wealth.