What was the spiritual environment of Shirdi like around the time Maharaj arrived, and who were some other saints associated with the place?

The area of Shirdi was already a place of spiritual significance when Maharaj arrived. Chapter 0 explains that it was on a pilgrimage route to southern holy places like Rameshwar and Pandharpur, meaning many holy men passed through. A saint named Devidas was present when Maharaj first came. The text also mentions Janakidas, a very advanced saint who spent a lot of time with Maharaj. Furthermore, the famous Gangagir Baba was a known visitor to the area, indicating that Shirdi was a hub for spiritual seekers and saints even in its early days.