When we arrived in amritsar we knew we wanted to see the wagah border ceremony but couldnt find any good information about getting there or. Patriotic fervour grips attariwagah border on eve of independence day. Wagah border beating retreat ceremony ghumakkar inspiring. About wagah wagah is the only road border crossing between pakistan and india, and lies on the grand trunk road between the cities of amritsar, punjab, india, and lahore, punjab. Crossing the wagah border between india and pakistan. History of the early settlement and indian wars of western virginia.
A 45 minute drive by shared taxi from amritsar the most convenient way of getting to the border, is the wagah border between india and pakistan. The ceremony starts with a blustering parade by the soldiers from both sides, and ends up in the perfectly coordinated lowering of the two nations flags. Changing of the guard ceremony at wagah border between. Why do soldiers of india and pakistan parade like this at. Moreover, it should project the culture of bengal, said b d sharma, adg, bsf. The daily retreat ceremony held at the attariwagah border front along the indiapakistan border in punjab has been cancelled for friday, the bsf said. The wagah border parade on the border of india and pakistan is possibly one of the most bizarre tourist attractions i have ever seen, up there with the abandoned pyramid in tirana, albania but a little more interactive.
Indian bsf vs pakistan rangers parade ceremony at wagah. Why is the wagah border ceremony a competition of nationalism. The flags are folded and the ceremony ends with a retreat that involves a brusque handshake between soldiers from either side, followed by the closing of the gates. Head out to the wagah border with your english speaking guide and watch as you head to the grand trunk road, the only link between india and pakistan in 1999. At this border, the lowering of the flags ceremony can be observed flags of both india and pakistan. Aug 14, 2012 the border officers from each side are chosen specifically for their height and then the uniform they wear, especially the hats, are meant to further magnify their height. Apr 29, 2015 from amritsar, a 30km drive west brought us to the town of atari, on the wagah border, the only legal crossing between india and pakistan. This particular border crossing point is also special for another reason. The world famous wagah border closing ceremony between. The only officially usable border crossing point between india and pakistan, which is one of the most heavily militarized and fortified borders in the world. I was in pakistan and crossing over to india when i first really discovered the ceremony. Attari is the last village in amritsar 3 km before wagah border.
Retreat ceremony at attari wagah border called off after india strikes in pok as tensions between india and pakistan heighten furthermore following the surgical strikes conducted by the indian. The flag lowering ceremony at wagah border is one of the must visit when in amritsar. Atari wagah border ceremony india, lowering the flag. Crossing overland at the wagah border between india and pakistan. The below section is written as if coming from amritsar to lahore. The drill is characterized by elaborate and rapid dance like manoeuvres and raising legs as high as possible, which have. Wagah beating retreat border ceremony with dinner in amritsar. This post is about my visit to the attari wagah border near amritsar in punjab state of india. The lowering of the flags ceremony at the wagah border is a daily military practice that the security forces of india border security force, bsf and pakistan pakistan rangers have jointly. Amritsar wagah border beating retreat ceremony and dinner experience. Crowds from pakistani side allegedly threw stones at indian side during the beating retreat ceremony at wagah border on sunday. There is daily flag raising and lowering ceremony at wagah border, done with fascinating pomp and ceremony that involves lots of tall soldiers in massive turbans goosestepping about and slamming gates.
Hundreds of indian nationals were already gathered. Independence day celebrations at attari wagah border with ajay devgan duration. Sep 08, 20 the wagah border ceremony between india and pakistan to say that the border closing ceremony at the wagah border between india and pakistan was the most bizarre day of my life is an understatement. Thirty kilometers west of amritsar, thousands of people on both sides of the border yelling back and forth.
Aug 08, 20 the indiapakistan wagah border closing ceremony i never thought that the greatest high kick id ever see would come from the legs of an indian solider. To understand the drama of the attariwagah border ceremony, its necessary to understand a bit about the history of india and pakistan. Pakistan stops sikhs protest at wagah border amritsar news. Aug 16, 20 it was hard to believe that every evening, the border post at wagah transformed itself into a theater where india and pakistan rehearsed their chauvinistic hatred for each other. Feelings of national pride and of patriotism rang through a chargedup atmosphere at the attariwagah border with pakistan on wednesday evening where a large number of indians came to watch proceedings on the eve of independence day. This ceremony takes place every evening before sunset at the wagah border, which as part of the grand trunk road was the only road link between these two countries, amritsarindia and lahorepakistan. Crossing the wagah border on the indian side attari. Although it happens daily, the wagah beating retreat border ceremony remains moving as a testament of history, culture, and international relations between india and pakistan. According to tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience wagah border. Wagah beating retreat border ceremony with dinner in. Aug 05, 2016 07162016 border closing ceremony at wagah border pakistan.
Every evening since 1959 except for a brief period when they were at war india and pakistan have undertaken a nightly border closing ceremony at the wagah crossing. Wagah border is the only open crossing border of india and pakistan. Zero, thanks to our border security force who manage the show and the stadium you dont have to pay anything. The wagah border is situated at a distance of 29 km from lahore pakistan and 27 km from amritsar india.
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. The show of strength pictured below is part of the beating retreat ceremony in wagah border, which marks closing of the border in amritsar every evening, is a daily military practice that the security forces of the two countries, indias borde. We are planning to visit the wagah border during our 1day trip to amritsar, during the winters in dec11. The purpose of wagah border ceremony is to formally close the. International border at wagah evening flag lowering ceremony. But the bulk of people coming here do so not in order to actually cross to the other side but rather to watch the uniquely exuberant border closing ceremony that is held here every evening at dusk. Wagah border duration and timings advice appreciated. Bsf troops get special shoes to ease steps at wagah parade.
This is a spectacular ceromany well worth going for. Wagah border, the border between indian and pakistan. You need to be there atleast 2 hrs before the start. This has got to be the craziest and most overthetop borderclosing ceremony anywhere. It is a union council and village placed in wahga zone of the lahore, punjab, pakistan. When we arrived in amritsar we knew we wanted to see the wagah border ceremony but couldnt find any good information about getting there or the timings. Be prepared to face traffic jams and delays as you would at any heavily attended event. Why the wagah border ceremony makes no sense to me.
Embracing an account of the various expeditions in the west, previous to 1795. According to tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience wagah border. May 24, 2018 the famous border between india and pakistan known as the wagah border is the stomping grounds for the soldiers and citizens of the two rival countries. People in large numbers gathered at attariwagah border on wednesday evening to witness the beating retreat ceremony live. City on pedals conducts a popular daily guided tour to the wagah border ceremony and mata lal devi mandir psychedelic cave. Because of the tense relations between india and pakistan, few foreigners actually cross the border between attari and wagah, 30km west of amritsar, though it is possible to do so, providing you have a pakistan visa, of course.
The main objective of wagha border ceremony is to maintain an. Bbc travel india and pakistans beautiful border ritual. The retreat ceremony of wagahattari border is the daily military practice jointly carried out by indias bsf border security force and pakistan rangers. Pakistan didnt allow its sikh citizens to hold an antiindia demonstration at wagah border on friday. Wagah border ceremony timings for october amritsar forum. History of the early settlement and indian wars of western. Atariwagha border daily ceremonial parade is a show every. It has become infamous for being a strange spectacle of overt nationalism, and involving. Independence day celebrated at attariwagah border with. Wagah border, amritsar parade, timings, images holidify.
The flag ceremony has been conducted by the indian border security force and. You would think, as in almost every other part of the world, that the closing of the border gates and lowering of the countries flags would be a non event, but not here, not. Rabia took me through the countryside before the ceremony and filled me in on the fascinating history of partition, as well as the impact on the villages along the border. Attari and wagah border flag lowering ceremony my simple. Wagahlike ceremonies on bangla border, minus the aggression. Wagah border became famous for the ceremonial closing of the gates and the lowering of. All the nationalities mentioned above are allowed at the border to witness this ceremony. This ceremony includes the closing of the international gates and lowering. Pakistan returned a captured pilot to india on friday at the wagah border post, which has taken on a symbolic role in the decadeslong. This ceremony is organised by the indian bsf and pakistani rangers since 1959 on daily. It runs along the grand trunk road between amritsar in punjab, india, and punjab in lahore, pakistan. It begins with a parade by the soldiers from both the sides, ending with a coordinated lowering of the flags of both the nation.
Neither did i think that i would ever witness two 80year old women have a flag race through a crowd of people. After the immigration counters close, the border post at wagah turns into a site for unabashed chauvinism as the gates are closed between the two countries. Bsf and pak rangers at beating the retreat ceremony at attari wagah border on wednesday. Our domestic flight departing amritsar to delhi is scheduled 7. The flag ceremony happens at the border gate, two hours before sunset each day indian border security force soldier and pakistani counterpart doing parade before start changing of guard ceremony. The town is famous for the wagah border ceremony and also serves as a. A border security force bsf jawan during celebration of 73rd independence day at the indiapakistan attariwagah border post on august 15, 2019.
Its official designation is beating retreat ceremony and it involves a lot of patriotic posturing and ritualized mockprovocation, marching soldiers, blaring music and cheers from the crowd, and. You can approach them if you have a vip reference to talk to them. As i understand it, many of the officers leading the indian and pakistani armies postindependence served together in the indian army before independence. We recommend booking wagah border tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Wagah border ceremony is a delight to watch if you get proper seating space otherwise it will be waste. According to sources, the bsf has asked for a flag meeting with their pakistani counterparts over this issue.
You could follow the above if you are going to the wagah border to witness the closing ceremony. Wagah border parade timings amritsar forum tripadvisor. Beating retreat ceremony at attariwagah border on iday. Stepping across the line at wagah border the new york times. Vip pass for wagha border cermony amritsar forum tripadvisor. Ceremony takes place every evening during sunset time 5.
Wahga or wagha is a village and union council uc 181 located in the wahgah zone of lahore, punjab, pakistan. In todays dry boring borders of nothing but security checks and passport control watching the wagah border ceremony is a restoration in the honor of nations. The indiapakistan wagah border closing ceremony gkm. Witnessing this daily tradition between the two countries to me felt like an anthropological experiment, like i had just walked into continued. India and pakistan share a history riddled with conflict. Wagah dark tourism the guide to dark travel destinations. Wondering would we have time to make a visit to the wagah border. Both the indian and pakistani border forces do this and it has become a tradition for people from both sides gather and see this. The wagah border ceremony, formally known as beating the retreat, is a popular tourist attraction and side trip from amritsar in punjab state. The lowering of the flags ceremony at the attariwagah border is a daily military practice that.
For years, a military flaglowering ceremony that takes place every evening at the wagah border post, which draws crowds of partisan tourists who cheer every hostile strut and stare traded by the. Wagah border latest news on wagah border read breaking. What is the importance of the beating retreat ceremony held. Wagah border amritsar 2020 what to know before you go. The wagah border ceremony is a military practice carried out by the indian border security force and pakistan rangers. The wagah border closing ceremony involving the lowering of the flags is an everyday practice conducted by the military or the security forces of india by the border security force and. Interesting facts about wagah border flag ceremony jagran josh. Officially, the purpose of the ceremony is to lower the national flag and formally close the border for.
Apr, 2018 the first time i heard about the wagah border ceremony was when one of my mothers friends had witnessed this spectacle. The wagah border ceremony a thrilling experience nativeplanet. The wagahatari border is famous for the ceremony called beating the retreat ceremony where the border security force from india and pakistan rangers from pakistan, put up a coordinated show together. Another possibility is to hop on one of the tourist buses which are going directly from the border back to amritsar city centre daily after sunset. Posts about history of wagah border written by besttouristplacesintheworld. Borderclosing ceremony india attractions lonely planet. Located at a distance of 28km from the city of amritsar, the wagah border is the only open border crossing india and pakistan and which is officially accessible by.
You have to arrange it at least a day in advance because they match the names and number of people in your vip group from the vip daily arrival list. Wagah border, also referred to as the berlin wall of asia, is the only road border crossing between pakistan and india which lies on the grand trunk road flanked by the cities of amritsar, punjab in india and lahore, punjab in pakistan. If coming from wagah at the pakistani border, take a cyclerickshaw. Tall, uniformed indian and pakistani soldiers have been carrying out the choreographed routine of the border closing ceremony since 1959.
It was a display of ones patriotism towards the nation. After the indiapakistan military confrontation on 29 september 2016 the border closing ceremony continued, but on the indian side public. Located at a distance of 22 km from lahore and 28 km from amritsar, wagah border marks the boundaries between indian and pakistani borders. As pakistan and india celebrate the 70th anniversary of independence, she reflects on how the border has evolved over the years. Attariwagah border beating retreat ceremony attracts. If youre crossing the border from pakistan to india, the process is more or less the same, just in reverse. If people from both sides of the border come to watch the ceremony, they should go back with a slice of history. Daily retreat ceremony along attariwagah border cancelled. People from all over the country visit this place to witness the beating retreat ceremony that is held every day before sunset. The lowering of the flag ceremony at the attariwagah border is a daily practice but it was special as the independence day was just a day away attariwagah border beating retreat ceremony attracts thousands on eve of independence. Travel india and pakistans beautiful border ritual bbc. Bsf troops get special shoes to ease steps at wagah parade pti. From atari you need to take a cycle rickshaw for inr15 to the wagah border or atari train station.
The lowering of the flags ceremony at the attari wagah border is a daily military practice that the security forces of india border security force, bsf and pakistan pakistan rangers have jointly followed since 1959. The town is famous for the wagah border ceremony and also serves as a goods transit terminal and a railway station between pakistan and india. Jun 10, 2015 this ceremony takes place every evening before sunset at the wagah border, which as part of the grand trunk road was the only road link between these two countries before the opening of the aman setu in kashmir in 1999. This resulted in relatively cordial relations between the upper echelons of both armies post. Wagah border amritsar 2020 all you need to know before. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. How to see the india pakistan border closing ceremony wagah. The wagah place is famous for the wagah border ceremony and it serves as a goods transportation terminal and also a popular railway station between the india and pakistan countries. India pakistan wagah attari border closing ceremony by. Wagah is situated 600 metres 2,000 ft west of the border and lies on the.
She was a wonderfully enthusiastic guide to the ceremony, cuing me for photo ops and explaining the process along the way. Located at a short distance of 24 kilometres from lahore, wagah is. The international border of india pakistan is 32 km from amritsar city. Jun 25, 20 we decided to include kazi nazrul islams works as we wanted to do something which projected the common history of both countries. New checkpost opened at attari, to boost subcontinental trade. Feb 14, 2015 the indiapakistan border closing ceremony at wagah atari near amritsar is one of the most spectacular spectacles you can experience in india. Every afternoon indian and pakistani border guards meet at the border post between attari and wagah to engage in a 30minute display of military showmanship that verges on pure theatre. From amritsar, a 30km drive west brought us to the town of atari, on the wagah border, the only legal crossing between india and pakistan. The border here was created in 1947, when the british colonial rulers left the indian subcontinent, dividing this are up into hindumajority india and muslimmajority pakistan. Retreat ceremony at attariwagah border called off after. The 1947 partition of india and pakistan led to the marking of a long white line that defines the wagah border between the two neighbours, separated by two heavy gates about 2 meters apart on either side. A large number of indians came to watch the beating retreat ceremony at the attariwagah border on the eve of independence day.
Travelers with visas and the requisite clearances can walk across the border post at wagah in the northern state of punjab until about 3. Jan 12, 20 posts about history of wagah border written by besttouristplacesintheworld. Stones thrown at indian side during beating retreat at wagah. Pippa virdee has been regularly crossing the land border between lahore and amritsar in the course of her research on partition and the history of punjab for more than fifteen years. Wagah village is located 600 meters west of the border on g.
The drill is characterized by elaborate and rapid dance like manoeuvres and raising legs as high as possible, which have been described as colourful. Its time we dropped the jingoism and hate at wagah border look no further than the wagah border every evening to see how easily nationalism can descend into ultranationalism. The ceremony of flag collecting on the wagah border is a daily military practice, since 1959, between the security forces of india and pakistan. The wagah border ceremony between india and pakistan. Its time we dropped the jingoism and hate at wagah border. If possible, book your seats in advance by going to bsf kent located in khasa village. Wagah border history, border parade timings, entry fee, itinerary, luggage counter, address, how to reach, online booking.
After hearing the stories from her, i did not believe most of what she narrated to us. Dec 26, 2017 what is the price of wagah border ceremony tickets. About 1,000 people leave the area at the same time to head back to amritsar after the flag ceremony has finished. A senior official of the force said the martial ceremony has been called off due to administrative requirements in the wake of iaf wing commander abhinandan varthamans release post noon. The beating retreat ceremony is a daily military practice that the security forces of india border security force and pakistan pakistan rangers have jointly followed since 1959. This ceremony is organised by the indian bsf and pakistani rangers since 1959.
You can drive right up to parking area, in about 3045 minutes from amritsar which is about 31. India pakistan wagah attari border closing ceremony by sanjeev bhaskar the. India pakistan wagah attari border closing ceremony. Vip pass for wagha border cermony amritsar message board. The ceremony starts with a blustering parade by the soldiers from both sides, and ends up in the perfectly coordinated lowering of the two. What is the origin of the show of strength ceremony in. Water, refreshments and washroom are available inside. Experience a unique blend of patriotism, cheering, dance, history and architecture at the beating retreat ceremony, pul kanjari and mata temple with our.