High in the Eastern Himalayas, near the mist-shrouded Nathu La Pass on the Indo-China border, lives a legend that transcends time and death. It is the story of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh, a soldier of the Indian Army whose spirit is believed to still guard the mountains and protect his comrades long after he left his mortal coil.

Who Was Harbhajan Singh?

Harbhajan Singh was a soldier of the Punjab Regiment, posted in the treacherous terrain of Sikkim near the Nathu La Pass during the 1960s. In October 1968, while escorting a mule caravan, he slipped into a glacier and was swept away by the icy waters. Despite search efforts, his body was found only after several days.

But soon after his cremation, something extraordinary began to unfold. Fellow soldiers reported seeing Harbhajan in their dreams, guiding them to his missing belongings and even warning them of impending dangers in the high-altitude border region.

The Soldier Who Refused to Retire

Word spread that Harbhajan Singh’s spirit was still serving his duty. Soldiers claimed that he patrolled the border at night and appeared in dreams to alert them about potential enemy movements. So strong was this belief that the Indian Army built a shrine, called Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, in his honor at an altitude of nearly 13,000 feet.

The temple houses a photograph of Harbhajan Singh in full uniform, along with his neatly maintained bed, boots, and personal belongings. Soldiers still offer water bottles at the shrine, believing the blessed water has healing powers.

A Soldier’s Leave and Pay

The reverence for Harbhajan Baba goes beyond symbolism. For decades, the Army officially granted him annual leave, with a seat reserved for him on a train to his hometown in Punjab. His salary was sent to his family, and an escort accompanied his belongings. This practice, steeped in faith and tradition, continued for years, reflecting the deep respect soldiers hold for the “guardian spirit” of the Himalayas.

Protector of the Himalayas

While speaking to locals, the legend goes that even the Chinese Army reportedly acknowledges Harbhajan Baba’s presence. During flag meetings, they have mentioned seeing a lone soldier patrolling the Indian side—believed to be the spirit of Harbhajan Singh.

A Living Legend

Today, visitors to Nathu La Pass and nearby Kupup can see the shrine of Harbhajan Baba, adorned with flags, offerings, and photographs. Pilgrims, tourists, and soldiers alike bow their heads, paying respect to the soldier who continues his duty beyond death.

Harbhajan Baba remains a symbol of loyalty, duty, and the unbreakable spirit of the Indian soldier. In the harshest conditions, where life itself is fragile, his story offers warmth and belief—a reminder that some sacrifices are so great, even death cannot end them.

|| Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah ||

Founder of The Verandah Club and Convenor of INTACH Coimbatore. A passionate traveller and trendspotter, he lives by the philosophy Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah.