Why did it take so long for Cholkar to visit Shirdi, and what does this delay reveal about his character?

It took Cholkar a long time to visit Shirdi because of his financial situation. Chapter 15 metaphorically states that for a worldly man like him, the "threshold-ghat," representing home expenses, was very difficult to cross. This implies he was a man of modest means who could not easily afford the trip. The long delay, however, highlights his steadfast devotion and determination. Despite the financial hardship and the passage of time, he never forgot his promise to Baba and maintained his difficult personal penance of abstaining from sugar, proving that his faith was unwavering and deeply sincere.