Why did it take so long for Cholkar to visit Shirdi, and what did he do while waiting?

Cholkar delayed his visit to Shirdi due to severe financial constraints. After passing his exam by Baba's grace, he found that his household expenses made it impossible to afford the journey. Chapter 15 describes this struggle vividly, stating that for a worldly man, this 'threshold-ghat' (home expenses) is very difficult to cross. During this long period of delay, Cholkar demonstrated his unwavering resolve by taking a personal vow to give up sugar. He considered sugar an 'inedible substance' and even drank his tea without it, maintaining this penance until he could finally travel to Shirdi and fulfill the original vow he had made to Baba.