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Baba Harbhajan's spirit guards the borders and jawans, and comes home on leave every year

Delighted relatives await the annual return of Baba Harbhajan Singh from the borders

        The soul of the late Baba Harbhajan Singh who died at the borders long ago continues to be active in army service. Harbhajan Singh of 23 Punjab Regiment died in 1968, a year after being posted at the Indo-Chinese border in Sikkim. It is believed that Harbhajan Singh's spirit still guards the Indian borders and forewarns soldiers of his regiment against any danger three days in advance by appearing in their dreams. All along the Indo-Chinese borders there are memorials to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives protecting the country against intruding enemies. About 2,500 soldiers died in the 1962 war with China. The spirits of these Babas are said to be guarding the line of control by keeping the jawans always on their toes, it is believed.

        "If any soldier does anything wrong or ignores his duty, he punishes them and reminds them of their duty. He doesn't let anybody go astray. Apart from this, at least 400 to 500 cars come everyday to pay their respects to Babaji (Harbhajan Singh)," said Joginder Paul Sharma, a naik with the Indian Army. Just like any other serving soldier, Harbhajan's spirit is granted two months' annual leave during which he comes to his native village, Kooka in Kapurthala district, with all his military paraphernalia. His family anxiously waits for Harbhajan's spirit to arrive home every year and feels delighted. Not only this, they also feel his presence at home. "Babaji is returning to home on his two months annual leave, I am very delighted," said Baljinder Singh, Harbhajan Singh's nephew. "We feel that Babaji is with us, and even the soldiers at that China border feel that he still guards the border at night," said Balbir, a Colonel in the Army.

       Since 1984, the Army has undertaken the task of bringing Harbhajan's spirit from Sikkim to Jalandhar by train. A first class ticket is booked under his name and armymen from Sikkim place his crisp uniform on a hanger on the seat, along with his photo and smartly polished shoes. After reaching the Jalandhar City Railway Station, Harbhajan's spirit receives a warm welcome and a waiting Army vehicle takes 'him' to his native village. Similarly, after two months when Harbhajan's annual leave ends, Army personnel come and help him to board the train to Sikkim.
-Nov 13, 2006

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