Service No: 2456687
Date of Birth: Aug 30, 1946
Place of Birth: Sadrana, (Punjab)
Service: Army
Last Rank: Sepoy
Unit : 23 Punjab
Arm/Regt : The Punjab Regiment
Date of Martyrdom : Oct 04, 1968
Sepoy Harbhajan Singh was born on 30th August 1946 in village Sadrana of Gujjarawala District in Punjab (Now in Pakistan). Son of Mrs Amar Kaur, Sep Harbhajan Singh joined the Army on 12 February 1966, at the age of 19 years. He was recruited into 23 Punjab battalion of the famed Punjab Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its gallant soldiers and various battle honours.
In 1968 the states of Sikkim and North Bengal were under the rage of great natural catastrophe 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. As the caravan was on its way, Sep Harbhajan Singh fell into a fast flowing stream and was drowned.
A massive search for Sep Harbhajan Singh did not yield any result and he was declared a deserter by the Army authorities. However it is believed that his comrade Pritam Singh had a dream of Harbhajan Singh informing him about his tragic incident and also the location of his dead body. The body of Sep Harbhajan Singh was recovered from the same location as divulged in the dream of his fellow soldier.
Indian army has given him honorary captain’s rank posthumously. It is believed by the soldiers posted around Nathu la that Sepoy Harbhajan Singh’s soul is protecting and forewarning them of danger in that area. A temple also has been constructed in his name where thousands of people visit to pay their respects to Sep Harbhajan Singh now known as Baba Harbhajan Singh.
Sepoy Harbhajan Singh of the 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment resides in a small cluster of buildings set in a breathtakingly beautiful valley, a short way from Sikkim’s famed Nathula pass. The dutiful soldier takes two months off a year to visit his parents in Kuke village in Punjab’s Kapurthala district. Sounds like a regular army soldier, except the fact that he died in 1968 after drowning in a fast flowing stream while escorting a mule column in Sikkim. His body was found after a three-day search and cremated.
Baba Harbhajan Singh warns the dangerous activities on the border through the dreams of fellow army men. Even Chinese army men believe to have seen a human figure doing patrolling in the night across the border. Baba Harbhajan Singh has been honoured with the rank of Honorary Captain and his samadhi reconstructed at the junction of Kupup Gnathang road and the pathway leading to Menmoichu Lake as apart of the watershed memorial complex. Over the years the shrine of Baba Harbhajan has gained huge following across all frontiers. Baba is respected and worshiped by every army soldier in Sikkim. They believe Baba would forecast accident in the valley much ahead of the happening.
Baba Mandir has three room structures. The central room has a large portrait of the Baba along with other Hindu deity and Sikh Gurus. To the right of the central room is the personal room of Baba. 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, tooth brushes and other items offered to Baba. The followers believe 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 and other foot problems and so on. That devotee who cannot visit the shrine sends letters to Baba that is opened by the associate of Baba. 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 honour the role of Baba Harbhajan Singh as well as the martyrs of Indian army who laid down their lives for safeguarding the country. Every Sunday and Tuesday throughout the year puja is offered at Baba Mandir where free meals are distributed among the devotees.
Despite the blessing of the Baba the armies at Nathula border are in 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 cancelled and extra cautions are sought after. This true legend of Baba Harbhajan is only next to the significance of Lord Kanchenjunga for the people of Sikkim.
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Meenal Joshi
2017 at 12:35 pmYour story of courage and sacrifice is truly remarkable sir.. It will continue to inspire the future generations of India.
Ravish kumar Rai
2022 at 6:42 pmJai Harbhajan baba
Ghanchi Mahendra bhai
2019 at 10:23 pmJay hind
Sat sat Naman
Sujata M
2019 at 10:29 amJai Hind ….. !!!
RAJEEV KUMAR BHOLA, Advocate
2019 at 11:42 pmCaptain Harbhajan Singh ji , my salute to you . You have been the sacred soul who has been not only serving India , but also humanity and society. You have been since joining Indian army on continuous and relentless duty 24×7 to protect us. We all Indians are indebted to you. Merely thanking you woukd not suffice. Our souls too shoukd be like yours.
Asi tere SHUKARGUZAAR HAIGE!
Tanu jaiswal
2019 at 5:51 pmJay hind. Every Indian should know about you.
Tamizharasan
2021 at 6:57 pmJai hind…..!
Major Mukesh Gudeshar
2019 at 11:15 pmName of regiment is wrong. Baba Harbhajan Singh was from 21st Punjab Regiment. Not from 23rd Regiment because that time regiment was in Khemkaran. So please change the name of his regiment.
Hony Lt Amar Singh
2022 at 4:01 pmI salute him.
RAM AVDHESH SINGH
2022 at 9:00 pmSir, With due regards and respect to the Capt Harbhajan Singh, MC (Posthumously) Some of the documented sources (MoD) revealed that he was last served in the 24th Punjab Regt. of Indian Army. However the unit number doesn’t made lesser Baba’s commitments and contributions to the service of Nation. He performed his duties beyond the death – Jai Hind
RAM AVDHESH SINGH
2022 at 9:12 pmSir, I continuation of my above comment He was enrolled in the 24th Punjab Regt. on 12th February 1966 at Amritsar, Punjab India As per Regt Records of Indian Army – Jai Hind
Kuldeep jaiswal
2023 at 1:45 amबाबा हरभजन सिंह कै बारे में हर भारतीय को पता होना चाहिए जय हिन्द जय भारत वंदेमातरम बाबा हरभजन को सेल्यूट हैं