Witness the Fervour at Wagah Border Amritsar

The state of Amritsar is a tourist destination that has won over the hearts of millions of travellers from across the world. Be it the delectable street food, heart-warming culture or the friendly locals, every aspect of this region is appealing to tourists who love visiting places that are alive and thriving with excitement. Keeping this in mind, you will find that there are a number of places to visit in Amritsar. So, your next vacation in this state would be nothing short of a dream come true. As a proud Indian, you will love spending time at the Wagah Border in Amritsar. Set on the Grand Trunk Road, this is the only place linking India and Pakistan. There is a stadium constructed at the Wagah-Attari Border where people can sit and watch the ceremonies being conducted by the Indian Border Security Force or BSF.

If you have ever felt pride for your nation, this tourist spot will heighten that emotion to a great extent. Not only this, but you will also be able to witness the valour and discipline of our soldiers being displayed through various shows and activities. Mentioned below are further details of the Wagah Border located in the state of Punjab in India:

Facts to Know about the Wagah Border 

If you speak to any individual who visited Amritsar, there is only a slight chance that they would not have made it to the Wagah Border. This is mainly due to the fact that this place has become an integral part of every Amritsar tour package in the country. Owing to its historical, as well as, cultural significance, this borderline in Wagah village of Amritsar should be on your itinerary whatsoever. Here are few interesting facts related to this tourist attraction:

• The Wagah Border is located on the only road (Grand Trunk Road) that connects Amritsar with Lahore (Pakistan).
• With proper documentation and visa approval, people from both sides of the border can cross over every day between 10 am to 3.50 pm IST.
• The border is closed off from both sides every evening with a Flag Lowering Ceremony conducted by the Indian Border Security Force.
• In 2017, the Indian government hoisted a 110-meter flagpole at the borderline of Wagah Border, which happens to be the highest flagpole in the country.
• Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was wrongfully captured by Pakistani forces came back home in March 2019 through the Wagah Border in Amritsar.
• Mobile services are not operational because the entire area is secured with jammers. However, you can use your mobile camera to click photographs.

Details of the Beating Retreat Ceremony 

The main attraction of the Wagah Border is the Parade that is held on both sides of the Radcliffe Line (boundary demarcation made by the British while dividing the two countries). The most appealing factor about the parade, formerly known as the Beating Retreat Ceremony, is that the Indian soldiers perform the flag-lowering protocol and shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in the end. Along with this, there are cultural events at the Wagah Border Parade including music and dance performances to boose a patriotic emotion in every citizen present here. A sense of rivalry can be felt between the two armies, Indian and Pakistani, due to the ghastly history of the Partition. Alongside this, the Silk Walk Ceremony is a marching ceremony performed at the Wagah Border. The timings of this ceremony are right after lowering the Indian flag in the evening.

Wagah Border is one place where you will feel a brotherhood with your fellow countrymen in such a way that you are bound to get sentimental. Timings of the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the Wagah Border are 5.15 pm during the summer and 4.15 pm during the winter. However, the border is open to visitors from 10 am to 4 pm every day.  Reaching the Parade on time at the Wagah Border is highly recommended, especially on weekends when the area is very crowded with tourists.

Best Time to Visit the Wagah Border 

For a realistic answer, you should know first that the summers month between April and September are very hot in the Indian subcontinent. As a result, it would become very difficult to visit the Wagah Border in Amritsar without feeling the heat on your face. The sun is too bright from the Pakistani side, making you feel hot and dehydrated throughout the entire Parade at Wagah Border.

Taking this into account, tourists are suggested to plan their trip to Amritsar during winters. The months of December, January, and February are ideal for visiting the Wagah Border. The best hotels in Amritsar have amazing deals during this time of the year so you will not have to worry about breaking your bank! Here are a few tips that can help you plan your trip to the Wagah Border in Amritsar:

• Decide on a meeting point with your friends or relatives beforehand. This is essential because the mobile services will be jammed near the Wagah Border.
• Do not carry valuable items with you. There are a lot of pickpocketers in this area so keeping expensive things with you will not be a smart decision.
• The security check does not take up a lot of time. It would be best to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the Parade begins at the Wagah Border.
• If you carry your passport with you, getting into the VIP section is possible. You can call on the official contact number of the Wagah Border authorities in advance and ask further questions about the same.
• There is no ticket price at the Wagah Border, so you do not have to pay anything to watch the ceremonies.

How to Reach the Wagah Border  

Wagah Border is open for tourists all year round. Transportation in this part of the country is organized. The distance between Amritsar to Wagah Border is less than 28 km, making the journey quick and smooth. Depending upon your budget, you can opt for public or private transport. For those who prefer economical means of transports, you can hop on a bus or take an autorickshaw ride to the Wagah Border.

Travellers who like private transport can hire a taxi or cab to reach this place from Amritsar. People who are not coming from the main city can reach the Wagah border from three railway stations, namely, Attari, Khasi, and Amritsar Junction.

Places to Visit Nearby 

You can organize your Amritsar sightseeing tour before or after visiting the Wagah Border based on your personal preference. There are a number of places to visit in Amritsar that will make you fall in love with this city without a doubt. Here are a few suggestions that you can consider:

• The Golden Temple 

One of the most important places of worship for the Sikh community in India, the Golden Temple or Shri Harminder Sahib is a tourist destination that has broken all records in the world. Thousands of travellers and devout Sikhs pay their respects to this holy place every single day of the year. It is situated in Katra Ahluwalia where most other tourist attractions are located as well.

• Jallianwala Bagh 

Set very close to the Golden Temple is one tourist spot with the historical significance of the ghastliest nature. During the struggle for Independence, hundreds of men, women, and children were murdered by the British army here without any warning. The gathering was held to organise a peaceful protest that ended in the most inhumane assassinations of innocent people. Currently, this garden is visited to remember the valour of the freedom fighters who were martyred during the Freedom Struggle of India.

• Partition Museum 

The Partition Museum is situated on Hall Road in Katra Ahluwalia. It is a tourist spot where you can learn a lot about the history of Indian Independence, the horrors of the Partition, and various other facts. You can write a message on a green leaf and hang it on the Tree of Hope that is set right outside the museum’s entry gate.

With pride for country and love for your countrymen, visiting the Wagah Border in Amritsar at least once in your lifetime should be on your bucket list!