Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, also known as the Baba Mandir, is a holy shrine located in the eastern part of Sikkim, India. It is situated at an altitude of around 13,123 feet (4,000 meters) in the Nathula Pass, which is the Indo-China border.
Unveiling the Legends - Baba Mandir Gangtok
Beyond Borders - The Significance of Baba Mandir Gangtok
The shrine is dedicated to Baba Harbhajan Singh, an Indian Army soldier. In 1946, he joined the Indian Army as a sepoy. The temple is considered one of the holiest shrines in Sikkim and revered by people of all religions.
He is said to have drowned in a glacier while on duty in the east Sikkim region in 1968 while attempting to guide a column of mules carrying supplies. According to legend, his soul is still alive and watches and defends this treacherous terrain.
He is also known as the ‘Hero of Nathula‘. For his bravery and heroism, he was given the Maha Vir Chakra in September 1967.
Two shrines have been built in his honour to pay respect to Baba Harbhajan Singh. The old one was constructed on the site of the bunker where Baba Harbhajan served in the Indian Army.
The new one was constructed in close proximity to Lake Changu. Due to the challenging terrain and location along the former Silk Road, tourists are only permitted to visit the New Baba Mandir, which is part of the day trip to Nathula and Changu Lake.
The New Baba Mandir also requires a PAP (Protected Area Permit), but unlike Nathula, there are no limits on the total number of passes that can be issued. Visitors from outside India, NRIs, and OCIs are not allowed into the Baba Mandir.
Tranquility Amidst the Mountains - Visiting Baba Mandir in Gangtok
So, continuing from where I left you on the Nathula blog, we returned to the entry checkpoint and then took a right turn to head towards the New Baba Mandir.
Again, both sides of the roads were covered with snow, and the scenery was breathtaking. We soon arrived at Baba Mandir (15–20 minute journey).
There was a temple area here, and on one side of the temple was Harbhajan Singh’s office, where he is thought to be working on a daily basis. On the other side, there’s a room with his shoes, uniform, and bed. The place is maintained by the Indian Army.
His dining area is also available at the location. The “Deshbhakti Sthal” is located right next to the temple and houses the Indian Flag and a Wall of Honour. The view of the Nathang Valley from the temple was magnificent.
A souvenir shop and an army canteen are located directly across from the temple. Tea, coffee, samosas, patties, and other light refreshments are available. We had patties, samosas, and coffee from here, and the meal was delicious, especially the samosa.
Just beyond the canteen, on the right side, there is a large Shiv statue (approximately 12 feet long) in the hill, and the entire slope is covered in snow. This is said to have been created by the Indian Army and is the highest Shiva idol in the world.
This location can be walked through (approximately a 500-metre trek), but the splendour deserves to be appreciated. If you want to do this walk, you can also find Nammangcho Waterfall.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find a lot of snow here, especially from November through March. Instead of hiking this trail, we chose to simply appreciate the statue from the Baba Mandir side.
We began our return trip towards Changu Lake (Tsomgo Lake) about 1:30 PM. We made a brief stop on the way back at a location where we could see the and it was in the shape of an Indian Map.
Before finally moving towards our last point of the day, we grabbed a few pictures and played in the roadside snow one last time before heading to Changu Lake.
A small, less well-known lake called Hangu Lake offers pedal boating opportunities just before reaching the Changu Lake. Since we wanted to make it in time before the weather started acting up, we decided against pedal boating as well.
Except for the permit, which is checked at the Nathula entry gate, there are no admission fees to this location. The time required to cover the location is approximately 30–45 minutes.
A visit to Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir is a must for anyone looking to explore the cultural diversity and spiritual richness of Sikkim. It is a journey that will leave you with unforgettable memories and a deeper understanding of the human spirit.
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