Old Baba Mandir is located 65 kms East to Gangtok town. It is ahead of Kupup near the village of Gnathang. The original temple of Baba Harbhajan Singh was constructed and is still there. There is a couple of beautiful alpine lakes on the way Memencho Lake and the Elephant Lake.

The Mandir is maintained by army itself and is at approx 17000 feet height. It is 12 kms uphill from New Baba Mandir and this 40 min journey is breathtaking. Weather remains chilly and windy here because of geographical location.

Old Baba Mandir

Soldiers of the Indian army built this shrine in the honor of a legend soldier named Harbhajan Singh. Army people revered Baba Harbhajan as the "Hero of Nathu La". He was accorded the state of the saint by believers who refer to him as the "Baba" (saintly father). It is near Tsomgo Lake. The mandir is very sacred where it is believed Baba Ji’s soul is still there working day and night, looking after the border.

He was martyred in 1968 near the Nathu La in eastern Sikkim, India. Harbhajan Singh's early death at the age of 22 is the subject of legend and religious veneration that has become popular among Indian Army. According to legend, Singh drowned in a glacier while leading a column of mules carrying supplies to a remote outpost. His remains were found after a three day search. His body was subsequently cremated with full military honors. The legend further claims that the late Singh helped the search party find his body. Many Indian soldiers have revealed that in the event of a war between India and China, Baba would warn the Indian soldiers of an impending attack at least three days in advance. During flag meetings between the two nations at Nathu La, the Chinese set a chair aside to honor him.