Wagah Border Show - A Ceremony which increases patriotism automatically
A daily practice followed by the military forces on the borders of India and Pakistan is done by lowering the flags officially named as “The Beating Retreat Ceremony” since the year 1959.
A crossing that exists between the two towns Amritsar in India and Lahore in Pakistan is named as Wagah border. This place is located at a distance of 27 kms from the city of Amritsar. This border is the only legal entry and exit point between two countries since the time of partition. Both the countries have installed their own gates that are constructed at a distance of 2 meters. The Wagah Border Ceremony is performed each evening just before the sunset where soldiers from India and Pakistan initiate the ceremony by performing parade and is concluded by smooth co-ordination of lowering the flags of both the countries.
Throughout the world, this ceremony is named as “The Beating Retreat”. One of the soldiers in attention position stands near the gate from both the ends. With sunset, both the countries open their gates and lower their flags. Then, the flags are folded and soldiers from both the end shake their hands and the gates on either ends are closed. This is the ceremony that attracts many tourists and each day many people gather here to watch the ceremony from both the countries. Opening Times
The Wagah border remains open from 10 AM till sunset when the Beating ceremony is performed. The timings of beating ceremony in the months from October to March is at 4:30 PM while in the months from April to September the timing is at 5:30 PM and the total duration of this ceremony is around 3 hours. There are no charges levied on the visitors to watch this ceremony.
How to Reach Cab: - The best transport option to reach Wagah border is by hiring a private cab. The cost of the cab for a round trip from Amritsar to Wagah border is Rs 1000. Tuk Tuk: - This is the other way of transportation that can be taken to reach Wagah border and s also less expensive than hiring a cab but is little uncomfortable. Bus: - Local buses from nearby cities run on regular basis to reach here but should be avoided as these buses are generally over crowded and it even gets difficult to get a seating.
Some other interesting facts 1. The other name for Wagah Border is “Berlin Wall of Asia”. 2. Lot of aggression can be seen in the people from both the countries during the procession of flag lowering. 3. The Beating ceremony of India and Pakistan is considered similar to the ceremony of changing of guards performed in London. 4. The soldiers on either side of the border who participate in this ceremony are selected on some special characteristics like fitness, height (generally 6 feet or tall) and most interesting is the kind of facial hair they have, specially the moustache.
One should at least once visit this ceremony in their lifetime.
About the Author
Ram Kejriwal, lives in Amritsar and is used to Wagah Border. He explains how Wagah border Ceremony increases patriotism in Indians. According to author, an Indian must go to this ceremony once in his/her life.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here