The story of Baba Harbhajan Singh is one of the many incredible stories associated with the Indian army. It is one among some inspiring stories about courageous soldiers and military traditions and legends who still safeguard our soldiers as they guard our borders from their inhospitable outposts. It is a strongly held belief that Baba Harbhajan Singh still warns soldiers of impending danger. Military personnel as well as civilians repose great faith in the shrine dedicated to him at Nathula Pass on the Indo-China border in Sikkim.
The legend of Baba Harbhajan Singh
He was born in Kapurthala District in Punjab and enrolled as a sepoy in the 23 Punjab Battalion in February 1966. In 1968 Sikkim and surrounding areas were battling with catastrophic floods and landslides and thousands of lives had been lost at the time. It was at this time that Baba Harbhajan Singh was escorting a mule caravan from his battalion headquarters when he fell into a fast flowing stream and died. Baba Harbhajan Singh had fought in the battle between Indian forces and the Chinese PLA (People’s Liberation Army) at the 14,500 feet (4,400 m) Nathu La, the mountain pass between Tibet and Sikkim for which he was awarded the Mahavir Chakra posthumously.
When he died, his body was washed downstream and was not found. Baba Harbhajan Singh then appeared in the dream of a fellow soldier Pritam Singh indicating where his body would be found buried in heaps of snow. Pritam Singh ignored the dream but amazingly, the body of Baba Harbhajan Singh was in fact found where indicated. A Samadhi was asked to be built at Chhokya Chho in his name and subsequently it was.
The shrine to Baba Harbhajan Singh
Today Baba Harbhajan Singh is revered by soldiers because he continues to safeguard the Indian army He still warns of dangerous activities on the border by appearing in the dreams of serving soldiers. Even the Chinese army men believe in him and claim to see the ghost of the Hero of Nathula patrolling the borders from time to time. At flag meetings between the two sides, a chair is left vacant in his honour.
His shrine receives not just military visitors who come to seek the blessings of the Guardian Angel of Nathula but also civilian visitors since the shrine is also thought to have healing powers. His uniform and boots are still cleaned and polished. He continued to “go on leave” and “received promotions” until he was “retired” some years ago. He was awarded the honorary rank of Captain of the Indian Army.
Author – Reena Daruwalla
