Soldiers to Saints: Legends of the Himalayan Sentinels

SIDDARTH PRADHAN

Let me share with you some intriguing stories I’ve documented, on my many sojourns in these remote Himalayan frontiers; tales abound of soldiers who, even after their earthly departures, continue to guard India's borders with unwavering vigilance.

Sikkim: Baba Harbhajan Singh

Born on August 30, 1946, in Kapurthala, Punjab, Harbhajan Singh joined the Indian Army at 20. In 1968, while escorting a mule column in Sikkim, he tragically drowned in a swift mountain stream. According to legend, his spirit appeared in dreams to fellow soldiers, guiding them to his body and requesting a memorial be built in his honor. The shrine, known as Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, stands near Nathu La Pass and has become a pilgrimage site for both soldiers and civilians. Many believe Baba's spirit continues to patrol the borders, offering protection and premonitions of potential dangers.

Siachen: O P Baba

In the icy expanse of the Siachen Glacier, soldiers revere the spirit of O P Baba. Legend speaks of Om Prakash, an artillery soldier who, in the late 1980s, single-handedly repelled an enemy attack at the Malaun Post. Mysteriously, his identity remains unverified in official records, yet his presence is deeply felt. Troops embarking on missions seek his blessings, believing that O P Baba safeguards them from the perils of the glacier, including enemy threats and natural calamities.

Kargil: The Tale of Plateau Baba

During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, a hermit known as Plateau Baba resided on a plateau above Kargil. Remarkably, bombs that landed near his hut failed to detonate, sparing the area from destruction. After the war, the hermit vanished, and locals constructed a temple on the site. Even during the 1999 Kargil conflict, this temple remained unscathed, reinforcing beliefs in the hermit's protective aura.

However, an emerging story in the trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh is what amazes me the most. The resurrection of, the youngest recipient of the prestigious Maha Vir Chakra( for the 1962 Indo-China War), and then being only one in six Indian soldiers to receive it twice in his lifetime.( Indo-Pak War 1971 , his stint in Turtuk). Major Rinchen passed away in 1997 aged 66. I personally regaled in the stories of his father, shared by his equally famous naturalist son, late Rinchen Wangchuk of Snow Leopard Conservancy, Ladakh.

Ladakh: The Rebirth of Major Chewang Rinchen

Major Chewang Rinchen, a distinguished soldier passed away in 1997. In 2008, a child born in Ladakh. A somewhat strange mark on the shoulder of the baby shaped like a Buddhist prayer rosary was noticed by the mother, which soon disappeared. The deteriorating health of the child compelled the parents to seek the help of Atak Rimpoche. The child was also said to have a prominent mark on his lower chest like a bullet mark , which the child claimed to have got when he was hit by an enemy bullet.

Soon the boy would go salute passing military convoys plying this desolate frontier route. His rants took a bizarre turn when he started talking of his previous life and his wife and his family and finally his tenure with the army. This phenomenon has led many to believe in the reincarnation of the esteemed Major, suggesting that his spirit remains intertwined with the region's destiny.

These legends underscore the profound bond between the Indian soldiers and the Himalayan frontiers they defend. Whether through folklore or faith, the enduring presence of these 'soldier saints' continues to inspire and protect those who tread these sacred heights.

Unbelievable? Believe it!!!

(Siddarth Pradhan is a Travel & Tourism Consultant. Email: namanste.hhe@gmail.com)