Baba Harbhajan Singh

Late Sepoy Harbhajan Singh or Baba Harbhajan Singh, as he is known today was born in the village of Sadrana, Gujjarawala district now in Pakistan. He enrolled himself in the army in the year 1956 as a soldier in the Signal Corps. In the year 1965 he was granted Commission and posted to 14 Rajput Regiment. In the war of 1965 he served as the Adjutant of the Unit and later  was transferred to 18 Rajput.

The hoarding at Baba's Shrine giving a brief introductory description about Baba

On 4th October 1968, he slipped past a glacier near Nathu-La Pass in Sikkim and drowned to death while carrying ration to remote post from Tuku La to Dongohui La. The downline water stream carried his body two kilometres down the nullah. His story doesn't end here.

Baba's shrine with the Tricolour

He appeared in the dreams of one of his co-soldier and guided him to the exact location where he was found after three days of his death. He also instructed one of his colleagues in his dream to construct a shrine in his name. Accordingly, the Unit then constructed a shrine at a place which is 9 kms away from where the present shrine stands today.

The idol of Baba with photos of Hindu and Sikh Gods surrounding him

Even after his death, Baba guards the frontiers and warns soldiers of any impending attack at least three days in advance. Resides among the soldiers guarding there many stories about Baba waking up soldiers who fall asleep during night duty and night patrolling. Indian Army has accepted his presence in the post with his colleagues even after his death and his salary was being sent to his family without any fail. He also received two promotions and was promoted to the rank of a Captain. He also gets two months of leave every year and soldiers carry his picture along with his belongings to his native. A special arrangement is made in such a manner that a train seat is left empty in the entire journey. The army deployed at the post becomes extra cautious whenever Baba is on leave.

Baba's office room

He is not only alive in the beliefs of Indian Army; but equally amongst the Chinese troops posted across the Border. Nathu-La is one among the four posts where Ind-China meets are help. Chinese Army has also admitted seeing Baba on several occasions doing patrolling near the border. During any customary meets between both the armies the Chinese army still keeps a seat empty as a tribute to Baba.

Baba's bedroom with his well maintained uniform beside

The current shrine of Baba is reconstructed at the junction of Kupup Gnathang road and the pathway leading to Menmoichu Lake as apart of the watershed memorial complex. The Baba  Mandir is a three-roomed structure. The central room has a portrait of Baba with some portrait of Hindu and Sikh Gods. The room to the right is the personal room of  Baba with household belongings like clothes, slippers, bed, shoes etc. The room to the left is his office room cum store room. Water bottles, slippers and tooth brushes are kept at stock in the store room. It is believed that the water kept at Baba Harbhajan Shrine is capable of healing ailing people. It is also believed that the slippers kept there helps people with foot problems.

Jawan's distributing prasad to devotees at Baba's shrine

We all are born with a debt to our motherland. As we start working for the betterment of the land and its citizens we start repaying the debt. The day we give our ultimate sacrifice for our motherland we can consider complete repayment of the debt. However, there are people who believe that death can take the soul apart of the human body but the patriotism remains within. Baba's love towards our motherland is an example of extraordinary service to our motherland. Salute to revered Baba for his services to our motherland.