This is a memorial shrine built in the memory of, Late Sepoy Harbhajan Singh of Punjab Regiment. Born in the village of Browndal in Kapurthala district of Punjab, he got into the army at an early age and was soon posted on the misty heights of the Sino- Indian border near NathulaPass. On 4 October, 1968, while escorting a mule caravan from his battalion headquarters at Tukla to Deng Chukla, he fell into a fast- flowing stream and was washed away, as the region saw heavy rainfall in the year. The search for his body continued for a couple of days but discontinued because of unfavorable weather conditions. But soon Harbhajan Singh led the Search Party to his own body and some days later news of a man seen patrolling the area began to be circulated. Soldiers posted in the area often talk of a uniformed man on horse patrolling the region. This was further confirmed and ascertained by the force from the across the border, many soldiers from across the border claimed to have seen a ghost rider patrolling. Harbhajan Singh started appearing in the dreams of many army men and used to make them aware of the unprotected areas and used to instruct them on how they should prevent the Chinese army from entering India. All his instructions proved to be accurate and of great advantage, and people’s faith in the legend of Harbhajan Singh also started growing. In one such dream baba instructed that a shrine be build and maintained in his name, so this shrine was build up. The Baba Harbhajan Singh is revered by the army men, not only in India but also in China. There are many instances like while during flag meets between the two country at the Nathula Post, the Chinese army men had a chair set out exclusively for Baba Harbhajan Singh. He is fanatic about duty, discipline and strike army rules. The soldiers posted at the region make it a point to visit the shrine before reporting to their duty. The Baba has also promised that in the situation of war between India and China he will caution the Indian Army three days in advance and will take the charge of the post for 72 hours. In the camp at NathulaPass, a camp bed is kept for him and his boots are polished and uniform is kept ready every night. The sheets are reportedly crumpled every morning and boots muddy by evening. The Ghost soldier continues to draw a salary and takes his annual leave also. Every year on September 14, a jeep departs with his personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuka, his hometown in Kapurthala district in Punjab. Ghost Soldier’s name still continues in the army’s payrolls, his mother has still been getting his salary cheques and he has also been given all due time bound promotions. Ghost Soldier gets two months annual leave every year & a First Class berth is booked in the train in his name and his portrait, uniform and other belongings are brought by army officials to his native village Kuka in Kapurthala district for availing of his leave.On completion of the leave the same team of the army personnel escorts back the belongings to the Nathu La region. Taxi drivers and soldiers passing through the area generally stop at the Samadhi to pay obeisance to the revered Baba. Not doing so is supposed to bring bad luck
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:47:37 +0000
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