Just like everyone in India visiting the Wagah Border ignites the patriotic side of every Indian and it was no different for me. In my early twenties and visiting Amritsar for the very first time so of course going to the Wagah border was on my list. It was a hot day in the month of May . Temperatures going as high as 45 degree Celsius. One has to reach the venue by 4pm and the ceremony starts at around 5:30 pm. We managed to get a good sitting area thanks to defense connection and there was a soldier from BSF who escorted us.
Once you are near Attari border it shows a sign board ‘Lahore’ just a few kilometers away. As we reached the venue you can see people running to get inside the venue. The atmosphere all around is no less than a India Pakistan Match! People are chanting Jai Hind and there are all patriotic songs playing and there is super excitement among everyone.
Once we reached to our seats, the BSF soldier took us to the area where you could see the India- Pakistan border more closely and even see the Pakistani soldiers more closely and greet them. We got the access to that area only because that BSF soldier was with us. Looking at the Pakistan so closely so many thoughts were crossing me like what will happen if i just cross border and go on that side, how will they treat me. All these thoughts only because of the strained relationship of the two countries.
Now we got back to our seat and the Ceremony was about to start.
Wagah Border Ceremony
The Wagah Border Ceremony is a military practice carried out by the Indian Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers. The soldiers treat it with absolute seriousness. It begins with a parade by the soldiers from both the sides, ending with a coordinated lowering of the flags of both the nation. As the sun sets, the iron gate is opened, with an infantryman standing in attention at both sides of the gate.
Overall it was a trilling experience and one must visit Wagah Border at least once.
Tips for visiting Wagah Border
- There is no phone network around the area so be prepared.
- There is significant amount of rush at the entrance gate at any given day. so be very careful if travelling with children.
- There is proper seating arrangement. The entire place is constructed like a stadium. So, you get a similar view irrespective of where you happen to get a seat.
- Cameras are permitted inside. you are not allowed to carry any bags be it small or big. There are lockers available to keep your belongings at a cost of Rs50.
- Food stall are available outside the venue from where you can buy water bottles and some light snacks.
- The custom post is located a few hundred meters away from the entrance gate to the Wagah Border. You can take taxis or private buses from Amritsar that drop you off at the customs post. You can also arrange for a taxi with the hotel you are staying in.
- Time – Every day, there is a flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah Border. It typically begins at 4:15 pm in the winters and 5:15 pm in the summers. To get a good view, it’s advisable to be there early as the area gets packed rapidly. Plan properly because the gates open two hours before the event begins.