Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple is a holy shrine situated 60 km from Gangtok, along the road towards the Nathula Border between China and India. This unique place of worship is dedicated to an Indian Army soldier and has become one of the most visited and emotionally significant tourist destinations in Sikkim.
The Legend of Baba Harbhajan Singh
The temple was constructed in reverence of Baba Harbhajan Singh, a soldier of the Indian Army who drowned in a glacier while leading a column of mules carrying supplies to a remote outpost.
A search operation was launched, but his body was nowhere to be found. According to legend, it was Baba himself who, through a dream, helped the search party locate his body buried under a huge lump of snow. He also reportedly expressed a strong desire to have a samadhi constructed in his memory.
It is further believed that during any threat of conflict between India and China, Baba would warn Indian soldiers of an impending attack at least three days in advance. He is said to have continued serving the nation even after his death.
This folklore became popular not only among Indian soldiers but also on the Chinese side. During flag meetings between the two nations at Nathu La, the Chinese would set aside a chair in honour of Harbhajan Singh, who has since come to be revered as "Saint Baba."
