Army personnel worship martyr soldier in Sikkim

NATHULA - Indian Army personnel worshipped the shrine of martyr soldier Harbhajan Singh at a temple at Nathula in Sikkim.

Harbhajan Singh was an Indian army soldier who died at Nathula Pass while crossing a stream in 1968.

Indian Army soldiers built a shrine in his honour and it is believed that Harbhajan Singh, renamed as Baba, resides here.

Residents of the region believe that Baba Harbhajan Singh has defeated death and still doing his duty even after his death over four decades ago.

The Indian Army maintains his bed, uniform and keep his boots ready everyday.

Miracle such as his ironed uniform getting crumpled in the morning as he had worn it is a regular affairs at this temple. His regiment promoted him as Honorary Captain and pay his salary and grant him annual leave and issue the railway warrant.

“Soldiers who have lived here told us that if they kept food for him they did not find it back and even if they find, then only in half quantity. His bed found wrinkled and they serve him tea like they use to do before and that also they find it in half quantity,” said Sepoy Harish Kumar, a soldier.

“So, people feel Baba through all these things otherwise no one has seen him,” he added.

The tourists visiting Sikkim during their trip to Nathula Pass have also shown immense interest in visiting this martyr soldier’s temple.

Throughout the year every Sunday and Tuesday prayers are performed at Baba’s temple and food is distributed to the devotees. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)