Sepoy Harbhajan Singh

Sepoy Harbhajan Singh was born on 30th August 1946 in the village of Sadrana, located in the Gujjarawala District of Punjab, which is now part of Pakistan. He was the beloved son of Mrs. Amar Kaur. Growing up in post-independence Punjab, Sep Harbhajan Singh was imbued with the values of courage, discipline, and service to the nation from an early age. At the age of 19, driven by a sense of duty and the desire to serve his country, he enlisted in the Indian Army on 12th February 1966. He was recruited into the 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment, one of the most distinguished infantry regiments of the Indian Army. The Punjab Regiment had earned widespread acclaim for its gallantry, steadfastness, and numerous battle honours, representing a long tradition of military excellence. As a soldier of the 23 Punjab Battalion, Sepoy Harbhajan Singh became part of this proud legacy, joining the ranks of men who were trained rigorously and prepared to face challenges on the battlefield with courage and resilience.

Logistic Support Operation (Sikkim): 04 Oct 1968

In 1968, the regions of Sikkim and North Bengal were struck by a devastating natural calamity. Unrelenting rains triggered massive landslides and floods, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Thousands of people perished, and communication lines and supply routes were severely disrupted across the mountainous terrain. Despite these harsh conditions, the Indian Army continued its operations, maintaining essential supply lines to remote posts and ensuring troop sustenance in the difficult border areas. Amidst this challenging environment, on 4th October 1968, Sepoy Harbhajan Singh was assigned the duty of escorting a mule caravan carrying supplies from his battalion headquarters at Tekula to a forward post at Dengchukla. The route was treacherous, with slippery tracks, overflowing streams, and unstable slopes due to incessant rainfall. While leading the caravan through one such hazardous stretch, tragedy struck. Sepoy Harbhajan Singh accidentally slipped and fell into a fast-flowing mountain stream. Despite immediate rescue efforts by his fellow soldiers, the strong current carried him away, and he was swept downstream and drowned in the turbulent waters.

Following the incident, a massive search operation was launched by the Indian Army to locate Sepoy Harbhajan Singh. Despite extensive efforts over several days, no trace of him could be found, and he was eventually declared a deserter by the Army authorities, as per standard procedure. However, what unfolded thereafter became one of the most extraordinary stories in the annals of the Indian Army. It is believed that a few days after his disappearance, one of his comrades, Sepoy Pritam Singh, had a vivid dream in which Sep Harbhajan Singh appeared to him. In the dream, Sep Harbhajan Singh revealed the details of his tragic accident and even indicated the precise location of his body. Acting upon this unusual revelation, a search party was sent to the area mentioned in the dream, and remarkably, the mortal remains of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh were found exactly at the spot described. This incident left a deep impression on all ranks of the unit and soon became a matter of faith and reverence among the soldiers serving in the Nathu La region. Over the years, tales of his spiritual presence began to circulate widely among troops stationed along the India-China border. It came to be firmly believed that the spirit of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh continued to safeguard the soldiers, warning them of impending danger and guiding them through difficult times.

In recognition of his service and the enduring faith that his comrades placed in his protective presence, the Indian Army conferred upon him the honorary rank of Captain posthumously. A shrine, popularly known as Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, was later constructed near Nathu La, where soldiers and civilians alike visit to pay their respects. Today, Baba Harbhajan Singh is revered not only as a fallen hero but also as a guardian spirit of the Indian troops deployed in the high-altitude regions of Sikkim. His legacy continues to inspire devotion, discipline, and faith in the hearts of countless soldiers who serve along the borders he once protected.

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 for 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.

• Every year on 11 September, a jeep departs with Baba Harbhajan Singh's personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, from where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuke, in the Kapurthala district of the Indian state of Punjab. While empty berths on any train of the Indian Railways are invariably allocated to any waitlisted passenger or on a first-come-first-served basis by the coach attendants, a special reservation for the Baba is made. Every year, a seat is left empty for the journey to his hometown and soldiers chaperone the Baba to his home.

• Devabhoomiyiloode, the 2012 Malayalam travelogue written by M. K. Ramachandran, features his journey to the Baba shrine in 2010.

• There is a temple of Baba Harbhajan Singh near Nathu-La pass.