Our soldiers protect our borders from all forms of foreign invasions and in the process risk their own lives. But who protects them from bullets swishing past their ears, grenades blasting a few meters away from their location and the deadly, treacherous terrain? Indian army personnel posted in and around the Nathula Pass and the Sino-Indian border between the state of Sikkim and Chinese-occupied Tibet have come to believe a spirit protects every soldier in the inhospitable high-altitude terrain of the Eastern Himalayas. One such place that celebrates the glory of one of the greatest soldiers of Indian Army i.e, Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Temple
The revered Indian soldier, “Baba” Harbhajan Singh known as the “Hero of Nathula” who was given the title of “Baba” or saintly father by soldiers of the Indian army who built a shrine in his honour. The Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Temple is a must-visit on trips to Gangtok or the Nathula Pass. The location is quite desolate and detached from the monotonous rhythm of the everyday world.
Baba Harbhajan Singh was a part of the Punjab 23rd Regiment. He died in 1968 near the Nathu La in eastern Sikkim. His untimely death at the age of 22 is the subject of legend and religious veneration that has become popular folklore among Indian Army regulars or jawans, the people of his village and apparently soldiers of the Chinese People’s Liberation(PLA) across the border guarding the Indo-Chinese border between Sikkim and Tibet.
According to legend, Singh drowned in a remote glacier while leading a column of mules carrying supplies to a remote outpost. His remains were found after a three-day search. His body was subsequently cremated with full military honours. The legend further claims that the late Singh himself helped the search party find his body. Still later, through a dream, he instructed one of his colleagues to build and maintain a shrine in his memory. Some Indian soldiers believe that in the event of a war between India and China, Baba would warn the Indian soldiers of an impending attack at least three days in advance. During flag meetings between the two nations at Nathu La, the Chinese set a chair aside to honour him.
As per common belief, any army official not maintaining a clean and disciplined attire is punished with a slap by Baba himself. His own attire which hangs in display need not be cleaned by anyone as it gets cleaned magically.
Every year during his annual leave, Harbhajan is known to visit his hometown in Punjab even today although he is well past his retirement age. Two soldiers actually accompany his uniform in a jeep up to Siliguri then in a train to his hometown. In fact, his salary is still sent to his home.
The Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Temple is a tranquil and pristine, lesser-known tourist spot that calms the minds of visitors and intrigues all alike.
