Mysteries & Facts - Sacred places in Sikkim

BABA MANDIR, NATHULA PASS 

Major "Baba" Harbhajan Singh (August 3, 1941 – September 11, 1967) was an Indian army soldier who died near the Nathula Pass in eastern Sikkim, India. He is revered by soldiers of the Indian army as the "Hero of Nathula" and the army men have also built a shrine in his honour. He has been accorded the status of saint by believers who refer to him as the Baba (saintly father). Many faithful people, chiefly the army men posted in those parts have believe his spirit protects every soldier in the inhospitable terrain of Himalayan mountain pass. As with most saints, the Baba is said to also grant favours presumably to those who revere and worship him.Baba Harbhajan Singh born into a Sikh family on August 3, 1941 in the village of Batthe Bhaini in Punjab (India). He completed his preliminary schooling at village school, and then did his matriculation from DAV High School in Patti in March 1955. In June 1956 he enrolled himself as a soldier in Amritsarand joined the Corps of Signals. On June 30, 1965 was granted a commission and posted to the 14 Rajput regiment. During the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war he served as an Adjutant of his unit. Later he was transferred to 18 Rajput. It was with this regiment that he met his end on September 11, 1967 in Sikkim.

According to legend, Harbhajan Singh drowned in a glacier while trying to lead a column of mules carrying supplies to a remote outpost. As the first casualty of the 23rd Punjab Regiment in that war, a manhunt was launched to find him. His remains were found after three days and he was cremated with full military honours. The legend further claims that it was Harbhajan Singh who himself helped the search party to find his body. Still later, through a dream, he instructed one of his colleagues to build and maintain a shrine in his memory.Legend also has it that in the event of a war between India and China, Baba would warn the Indian soldiers at least the three days in advance of any impending attack. During flag meetings between the two nations at Nathula, the Chinese set a chair aside to honour of Harbhajan Singh who has since been saint. Every year on September 11, a jeep departs with his personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, from where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuka, in Kapurthala district in Punjab. While empty berths on any train of the Indian Railways are invariably allocated to any passenger without a confirmed reservation (Reservation against cancellation, RAC, or wait listed) or first come first served basis by the coach attendants, a special reservation for the Baba is actually made for him and left empty for the entire journey to his home town every year with other soldiers travelling along so as to reach him till his home. A small sum of money is also contributed by soldiers posted in Nathula and sent to his mother each month.

 GURUDONGMAR LAKE, NORTH SIKKIM 

Gurudongmar Lake or Gurudogmar Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 17,100 ft (5,210 m). It lies in the district of North Sikkim in the state of Sikkim in India, only some 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of Chinese border. The lake can be reached by road from Lachen via Thangu.
Here is the legend behind the lake according to Sikh history. Guru Nanak journeyed through the area on his way back from Tibet during his third Udasi (journey) in 1516. He provided solace to Buddhists of the Karmapa Nyingmapa sect who had settled down there after being hounded out of Tibet by the Gelugpa sect. During the visit, yak grazers sought Guru Nanak also known as (NANAK LAMA) help over the scarcity of fresh water in the region, because the lake remained frozen throughout the year.Guru Nanak hit the frozen lake waters with his stick and the ice melted away in that part of the lake making its pristine water accessible. The blessed part of the lake hasn’t frozen since.Guru Nanak also advised the yak grazers to drink the lake water to increase libido drained by the lack of oxygen at that height. “Whosoever takes the water of this lake will gain virility and strength and will be blessed with children.” Nineteenth century British maps record the lake’s name as Gurudongmaar, corroborating the legend. Lamas of Karmapa Nyingmapa Sect regularly visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar even today. The monastery at Lachen, commemorates the Guru visit with his footprints, his robe and a water-carrying utensil (kamandal).

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