Baba Harbhajan Singh: A story of a dead sepoy

He has defeated death. Believe it or not, but it is true, a kind story in the world- a man from an Indian army on a Nathula border is still doing his duty even after his death some three decades back.

60km from Gangtok towards the panoramic view of the Nathula landscape, a road leads towards the valley of Kupup. Here is the shrine of Baba Harbhajan, popularly known as Baba Mandir. Baba Harbhajan has been guarding the international boundary of the two Asian giants, China and India, over the last three decades. But believe me, he does it alone. Even the army men on the other side of the International Wall confirmed that they had seen a man riding a horse all alone patrolling the border. 

Born in Brondal village of Kapurthala, Punjab, Harbhajan Singh joined the 23^rd Punjab Battalion in February 1966 as a sepoy. The year 1968, when the states of Sikkim and North Bengal were under the rage of great natural disasters where, landslides, floods, and heavy rain had taken thousands of lives across the two states. On October 4, 1968, sepoy Harbhajan Singh was escorting a mule caravan from his battalion headquarters in Tekula to Dengchukla; he fell into a fast-flowing stream and drowned. Searches for Sepoy Harbhajan were made with no results. 

On the fifth day of the missing, his colleague Pritam Singh had a dream of Harbhajan Singh informing him of his tragic incident and his dead body being found under the heap of snow. Harbhajan Singh desired to have a samadhi made after him. Pritam Singh ignored the dream as just an imagination, but later, when the body of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh was found at the spot where Harbhajan Singh had informed the army official, he was taken aback and to mark respect. Towards his wish, a samadhi was constructed near Chhokya Chho. 

Baba Harbhajan Singh warns of the dangerous activities on the border through the dreams of fellow army men. Even Chinese army men believe they have seen a human figure patrolling the border at night. Baba Harbhajan Singh is today honored with the rank of Honorary Captain. His samadhi was reconstructed at the junction of Kupup Gnathang Road and the pathway leading to Menmecho Lake as a part of the watershed memorial complex. Over the years, the shrine of Baba Harbhajan has gained huge devotion across all frontiers. Baba is respected and worshiped by every army man in Sikkim. They believe Baba would forecast an accident in the valley much ahead of the happening.

Baba Mandir is a three-room structure. The central room has a large portrait of the Baba, other Hindu deities, and Sikh Gurus. To the right of the central room is Baba's personal room. The room has every household belongings required for daily activities, from clothes, shoes, slippers and a neat sleeping bed, it is all well maintained. The uniforms are neatly ironed and shoes polished, ready for use. Opposite to this room is a small room that has an office cum store room. 

The room is filled with water bottles, unused slippers, toothbrushes, and other items offered to Baba. The followers believed that the water kept in the Mandir after a week would turn into holy water and cure every ailment. People believe that the slippers kept here would help patients with gout, other foot problems, etc. That devotee who cannot visit the shrine sends letters to Baba that the associate of Baba opened. These letters usually have the request for the Baba to help solve personal problems and the gratitude for being helped.

Every October 4, a special ceremony is organized by the Indian army out here to honor the role of Baba Harbhajan Singh as well as the martyrs of the Indian army who laid their lives for the safeguarding of the country. Every Sunday and Tuesday throughout the year, puja is observed at Baba Mandir, where free meals are distributed among the devotees. These are the best days for visitors to visit Baba Mandir.

Despite the blessing of the Baba, the armies at the Nathula border are on high alert when Baba goes on an annual leave from September 15 to November 15 every year. Even leaves for other army men during the months are canceled, and extra cautions are sought. This true legend of Baba Harbhajan is only next to the significance of Lord Kanchenjunga for the people of Sikkim.

2024

2024