Bhausaheb Dhumal

Rao Bahadur S. B. Dhumal, known as Bhausaheb Dhumal, was a pleader in Nashik with B.A. and LL.B. degrees. Before coming to Baba he was a devotee of Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon, and in 1903 he introduced Gopalrao Butti of Nagpur to Gajanan Maharaj.

Around 1907 he went to Shirdi and was deeply moved by Baba from his very first visit. He felt that Baba silently asked him to bring Butti, and when he did, Butti too became a devoted follower. Butti's great stone wada later became the Samadhi Mandir, so Dhumal is remembered as the link that brought Butti to Baba.

Dhumal visited Shirdi often and sought Baba's guidance in his legal work and family matters. He believed that every event of his life was shaped by Baba, and he was modest about speaking of miracles, saying that the best way to understand Baba is to experience him oneself. He also believed firmly that Baba remained alive and active after the Mahasamadhi.