The Story: Ghost of Ghata loops. Several years ago [he couldn’t tell me exactly how many years ago], it was late October when a truck with its two travellers, the driver and a cleaner, crossed Rohtang and moved on its way towards Leh. It had already started to snow at a few places and the driver was warned but he had a time limit to reach Leh; which meant that it was too late for him to turn back and take the Srinagar Leh highway which was still comparatively safer. It was the last truck to cross Rohtang as it snowed heavily the very same evening at the top and the pass closed. Kunzum Pass was already closed weeks ago and there were no vehicles coming from Kaza as well which means that it was the last truck plying on Manali Leh highway. The driver managed to bring the truck safely all the way to Gata Loops but this is where disaster struck. On one of the loops, his truck broke down and came to a complete halt. After trying for hours, the driver couldn’t fix whatever was wrong with the vehicle. They waited and waited but no one crossed them by because they were the last vehicle on the route. so the driver decided to walk to a nearby village and get some help. , however, however, was ill and not in a condition to walk. He was so terribly ill that he could barely stand up but what was he suffering from our narrator couldn’t tell. To add to this, Truck was also loaded and could not be left abandoned with the cargo because of the risk of getting robbed hence the cleaner stayed back with the truck to guard it; and also because he was in no condition to walk. The driver walked and walked for miles until he found a tiny village but Alas, there was no mechanic there. He somehow managed to make a phone call to Manali to get someone to come and fix the truck but to his bad luck, while he was still waiting at the village, the weather closed in. It started to snow heavily and became impossible for the driver to get back to the truck. It took several days for the weather to clear and all this time; he was stranded at the village. , Finally, help came from Manali and they all hurried back to Gata Loops; to the spot where the truck broke down only to find the cleaner dead. Poor chap was left alone on the road for several days; in freezing temperature, in poor health, with no water and nothing to eat and eventually died of thirst, hunger and cold. The truck was fixed but it was impossible to drive it either to Leh or Manali because passes on both sides were closed. So the driver drove the truck to the village he was stranded in, and waited there until it was possible to drive across Rohtang and return to Manali. The body of the cleaner was buried at Gata Loops by the villagers, right at the spot where he died. Next year when the highway reopened, people started noticing a strange thing. There was a beggar at Gata Loops who would wave at the passing vehicles to stop and begged them for water. Some people did not stop but the ones who did and offered the beggar some water saw the bottles drop right through his hands. The word spread and sure enough people were scared of the ghost who begged for water; thinking that it might harm them if they stopped or curse them if they didn’t. In order to pacify the ghost; the locals set up a small temple at the spot where he was buried and made offerings of water. |
A Sufi shrine where people from all religions come to make a wish. And when the wish is fulfilled a clock is offered as a token of gratitude. Each clock then carries a story of the pledger’s lack and its timely fulfilment. While caretakers believe that the dargah is 150 years old and claim that they have been taking care of it since eighty years, they have little idea regarding its history. There are no documents to prove its existence too. The Dargah has a strong following amongst truck drivers, taxi owners, and local cattle owners. It is believed that if the timeframe is provided with the wish is fulfilled within that span. |
As the story goes, Karinthandan, the local chieftain of the tribals (Paniyas) during the period 1700–1750 AD, found the Wayanad Ghat route. He helped the British find a way through the dense forest of Wayanad. The Viceroy had earlier announced a handsome reward for those who will build a road across the forest. To take credit of the discovery and reward a British engineer killed Karinthandan. But, the soul does not die, as they say, especially, the locals. The soul of Karinthandan started troubling passengers and a number of accidents happened as a result, the natives called a Priest or Panditji (manthravadi) and he chained the soul of Karinthandan to a huge Banyan tree (aal maram).This tree is known as ‘Changala maram’ in Malayalam |
It was in 1968, during one of the conflicts between the Indian army and the Chinese soldiers, that Harbhajan Singh died near the Nathu La Pass in eastern Sikkim. It is believed that he drowned in a glacier while trying to lead a column of mules carrying supplies to a remote outpost. Three days later, a manhunt launched to find him discovered the remains of his body, and he was cremated with full military honours. Legend has it that he appeared in the dreams of one of his colleagues and instructed him to build a memorial after him. His regiment followed the instruction, and a memorial was constructed, which later expanded into a shrine. The shrine is guarded by the soldiers of the Indian Army. They polish baba's boots everyday, keep his uniform clean, and make his bed. The soldiers reportedly say that they find the bed linen crumpled, and the boots muddy. The presence of Baba's spirit is also acknowledged by the Chinese soldiers, who set a chair aside for him every time a flag meeting is held between the two countries. Just like any other soldier serving in the Indian Army, the late soldier also draws his monthly salary and 'takes' an annual leave of two months. His mother, who lives in Punjab, is also taken care of by the soldiers posted in Nathu La, who contribute and send her a small sum of money every month. The army payroll still has his name and he receives due promotions. It is said that the late soldier is presently treated as an honorary captain. During the two months annual leave when the late soldier comes home, people of his village Kuka, in Kapurthala district of Punjab, receive him with much fanfare. His homecoming is fixed every year on September 13th, and two soldiers carry his personal belongings to his home. A berth is booked in the the Dibrugarh express in his name, and the army officials bring his portrait, uniform, and other belongings to his village. The same soldiers carry the belongings back to the Nathu La region, once the leaves are over. |
Originally Posted by //M
(Post 4502657)
The Hero of Nathu La - the Ghost of Baba Harbhajan Singh |
Originally Posted by Miyata
(Post 4502750)
Adding a smartphone image taken last month (jpeg compressed). I was told there are two mandir's - Old original and a Newer one. The image below is supposedly of the newer one. |
Originally Posted by //M
(Post 4502657)
The Hero of Nathu La - the Ghost of Baba Harbhajan Singh |
Originally Posted by deepakc
(Post 4503692)
Vehicle Ganesha temple Bangalore From a Bangalore Mirror article: |
Jaswant Garh is located about 25 kilometers from Tawang in Nuranang district. This must visit place sits at an altitude of about 10,000 feet and an interesting feature is that it has a temple-like structure is dotted with the camouflage pattern all over the memorial. However, today you will find all the Garhwal Rifles deployed on the Indian western borders but an interesting fact about this memorial is that you can notice at least few personnel here, taking care of Jaswant Garh (Rawat). Source |
Originally Posted by SS-Traveller
(Post 3146633)
The soldier told us stories about how Jaswant Singh's spirit still haunts the place, and how his personal belongings, clothes and bed linen are found a little askew every morning, and everything has to be put back in order daily. |
Originally Posted by distiller
(Post 4503783)
I don't know whether the learned men should discuss this subject. We need to eradicate such practices & all the myths associated with them. I feel in my opinion, we being the learned members should refrain from discussing such subjects and generating interest of the other members on forum or the other visitors of this forum to go & visit such places. |
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