China Archives

11/Aug/2022

Nathula is located in the border area of India and China, about 4500 meters above sea level. The route referred to as the historic ‘Silk Route’ passes through Nathula. A temple, Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, has been built in the memory of an Indian soldier in this border area. Surprisingly, in order to maintain good diplomatic relations in the international arena, the generals of the two countries usually have a routine flag exchange once a month. A flag meeting also held once a month on the Indo-China border at the Nathula border. A chair kept vacant by the Chinese military at the monthly meeting. They believe that India’s late captain Harbhajan Singh sat on that chair. Now the question is who is this Harbhajan Singh? And why does China express interest in this matter?

Now let’s get to the point. A vacant chair named after him was an Indian active-duty soldier. His home the Kapurthala district of Punjab. He joined the Indian Army in 1966. Worked as a sepoy in the Punjab Regiment. Two years later in 1968, Harbhajan transferred to East Sikkim on the orders of the Indian Army. There was a heavy downpour. This excess rainfall led to a flood situation on October 4, 1968. On that rainy night, Harbhajan Singh, who dutiful on duty, was walking on foot from Tukula, the headquarters of their battalion, to Dong Chukla, with his belongings on mules. At that time, in a careless moment, he fell into the torrential mountain stream.

Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple — Baba Harbhajan Singh

The next day the mules returned to Tukula without any passengers. Harbhajan’s colleagues shocked not to see Jawan Harbhajan Singh with the mules. They assume that there must have been some danger to Harbhajan while performing his duties and serving the countrymen during the flood. Their guess proved true. The missing Indian soldier Harbhajan Singh never found. He was not found for some time. But then an amazing thing happened.

According to conventional information, ‘an army soldier working in that area saw his missing colleague Harbhajan Singh in a dream. Harbhajan Singh said in his dream that his body stuck in that hilly area. This same dream seen by several soldiers of the army. A team then sent by the army to search for the place the soldiers had dreamed of. The surprising fact that the lifeless body of Harbhajan Singh found only after searching the dreamy place. That is where the mystery begins. Local residents and soldiers called it a ‘miraculous’ incident.

The deceased Harbhajan Singh requested two things in his dream of his colleagues. The first is that a Samadhi temple should be built in his name and secondly, he wants to carry on as a soldier even after death. Accepting the first, it was not possible for a state to accept the second. Because how can a dead person do national service? And what will the government do with such instructions? However, even if there is no written permission in this regard, there is an unwritten rule.

That is why the Indian Army used to deliver paychecks to late Harbhajan Singh’s home every month till he reached retirement age. More surprisingly, after the death of Jawan Harbhajan Singh, he was also promoted to the rank of Captain. He used to get annual leave every year till he retired. The trunk full of goods was accompanied by two sepoys to Harbhajan Singh’s house in Kapurthala. After a month’s vacation, the trunk full of goods was brought back. His existence is enough for China. To honor his wishes, both countries agreed to keep one chair vacant during each meeting.

Known that the border guards of both countries saw an army soldier riding a horse alone on the border of India and China. He believed to be Harbhajan Singh. Surprising to hear; A resting room of Harbhajan Singh built along with the mausoleum. There a bed of Baba Harbhajan Singh, a cot, covered with bed sheets that can be seen. His tomb contains his bed, his uniform, and his boots. The sheets of that bed are in such a way that many may think that someone has rested there at night. Even now at night in the moonlight, a shadowy figure of a horseman is often seen patrolling.

Not only Indian soldiers but also Chinese soldiers across the border have seen this scene. Baba Harbhajan’s spirit sometimes advises Indian soldiers in dreams. Warns which way the Chinese troops can attack. At this samadhi temple of Harbhajan Singh, devotees bring only a bottle of drinking water as prasad. All those who visit this Samadhi temple are provided free food and rest by the Indian Army. The name of the temple is ‘Baba Harbhajan Singh’ Temple.

Every year thousands of people come to visit this temple after crossing a distance of about 30 km from Gangtok and climbing to a height of 14 thousand feet. Belief and disbelief aside, it can be said with certainty that Harbhajan Singh the epitome of a warrior in the snow-covered land on a 14,000-foot mountain and in the ice-chilled cold air. The fighting mentality that gives courage to the border guards, gives courage to all the fighting people of the world.

But this is the new Baba Mandir, where tourists usually go. Old Baba Mandir or Original Baba Mandir on the way to Zulukh. Near Koopup Lake. The first trade route with China east of Sikkim was made through the Nathula Pass, which trade continues today. New Baba Mandir is located near this international road. The original Baba Mandir area is occupied by the military and it is not possible to reach common human beings. Because it is covered with snow most of the year. It is very difficult for common people to go because of that ice. Baba Mandir is not just for tourists. Relatives of sick people also come. Leave a bottle of water to pray for the recovery of a sick relative. After 21 days of vegetarianism come and take it again. Believing, their sick close person will get well by drinking that water.

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