INDIA - Punjab - around Amritsar
Flag Ceremony at the Wagah Border
Wagah Border (or Whaga) is located at 30 kms from Amritsar and there is a very popular daily flag raising and lowering ceremony, done with fascinating pomp and ceremony that involves lots of tall soldiers in massive turbans goose-stepping about and slamming gates. Both the Indian and Pakistani border forces do this and it has become a tradition for indians and pakistanis gather and see this. Both sides synchronize their parade and the entire event is meant to create a feel-good/patriotic fervour amongst the crowd. It is called the beating retreat ceremony. The flag lowering ceremony is around 4:15 PM everyday has become the main event for tourists. In addition, there is now a short cultural programme also done by local folk dancers (Bhangra) for the waiting crowd before the ceremony. Please take note that a peak crowd of upto 2000+ people can assemble on the Indian side on weekends/long weekends/public holidays. The crowd consists of both tourists & locals. The noise and atmosphere of the assembled crowds on both sides of the border is similar to that of a sporting match and very entertaining. If the military ritual is identical on either side of the border, there are many much more people on the Indian side and the building is being expanded to receive more. Men and women on the Indian side are mixed while on the Pakistani side, men and women are separated.
BEST TIME to VISIT WAGHA Border
BEST TIME to GO to AMRITSAR
From October to February
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - Gurkhas soldiers
The flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - Overview of the indian side as visitors can't cross the border.
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - Crowd is very enthusiastic
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - local folk dancers (Bhangra) are performing before the military ceremony
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - local folk dancers (Bhangra)
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - local folk dancers (Bhangra) are performing before the military ceremony
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - local folk dancers (Bhangra) are performing before the military ceremony
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - This daily ceremony is very popular for indians and tourists
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - Two gates are closing the border : the red indian one and the green pakistani one.
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - Zoom on the pakistani side
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border
flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagah Border - Indians are very enthusiastic
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border. The indian Gurkhas soldiers have the red and beige uniform when the pakistani have a green uniform
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border - A large crowd attends the ceremony and more seats are under construction
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border - Gates between the 2 countries are finally opened
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border - The gate is open and indian and pakistani soldiers are ready to lower their flags
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border - Lowering the flags almost done
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border
Parade during Indo-Pak Border Closing ceremony at Wagah Border
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - Gurkha soldier
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - Folk dancers
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - woman soldier
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - Gurkha soldier
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - Gurkha soldier
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - Soldiers
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - Gurkha soldier
Flag raising and lowering ceremony at Wagha Border - Folk dancer