Sikkimese Natterings-3

Our journey to the much famed Nathula Pass,formerly called the Silk Route,which formed the gateway to Tibet prior to its Chinese control,turned out to be a source of utter disappointment as the road was closed due to landslide.So,we proceeded to the Baba Mandir.

A sacred temple built in memory of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh,who went missing while patrolling with his battalion in the remote areas of Sikkim,and is still believed to visit the site every night,put on his uniform and take rounds.You can see the pictures we had taken during our visit.As we went inside,we saw devotees offering uniforms to him and praying to their saint, to grant boons and safeguard the soldiers stationed in the border.

On our way back,when we stopped near the Tsomgo lake to take a sip of hot tea, a local girl at the restaurant told me that people still believe that Baba goes to his hometown every year by train wherein a seat is booked on his name along with two of his companions and people flock the road in large numbers to catch a glimpse of him and offer him their prayers. Infact, when the girl saw the picture of Baba that we had taken in the temple,she joined her hands and bowed down to show her respect.Such is the belief of the local people.

The sun was setting down behind the hills and it was time we head back to the hotel but I could not resist my temptations of capturing some magnificent pictures of the moment to bring back romantic and nostalgic memories of my travel to the land of peace,splendor and tranquility.