Wagah Border - Pakistan Side!

Wagah-Attari border is the only gateway from Pakistan to India over the open land. This land adjoins Pakistan and India through a long iron gate accompanied by the national flag. This border is located in Wagah village which lies under UC 181 Wagah zone of Lahore, Punjab.

Why Is the Border Named Wagah?

• The border of the Pakistan side is named Wagah because of its location. This place is located near a village named Wagah which convinced the authorities to name it the Wagah Border of Pakistan.
• Talking about the other side of the border, this place is located in the village of Attari in Amritsar Punjab, India. Due to this village, the other side of the border is known as the Attari border.
• This cross-way from Pakistan to India is also known as the Wagah-Attari border after the names of their respective villages.

What Makes Wagah-Attari Border Important?

Before 1959, Wagah-Attari border had been important to the people of both sided countries because it joint them together regardless of the fact that both sided people cannot cross this border. This border has an emotional and sentimental importance in both Indians and Pakistanis life as in past times Pakistani side was a home to majority of Indian people while Indian side was a home to Pakistani people. People still have their relatives across these border but they are unfortunately un-meet-able through this pass-way.

Besides this, since 1959, The Beating Retreat Ceremony has been catching the attention of people completely.

Beating Retreat Ceremony

This ceremony is a complete zone of patriotism for both countries. People from both countries always endear going to this ceremony and support their respective soldiers. People find a different type of attraction that always convinces them to come and enjoy this ceremony.

• The Iron Gate is always on guard by the army men of both countries. Both Pakistani and Indian soldiers stay on their duties around their respective borders.
• The soldiers first open their gates by marching.
• A ceremony of flag lowering takes place.
• Flag lowering is accompanied by a blustering parade of high kicks by both-sided soldiers.
• When done lowering their respective flags they shake hands and march back again.
• This ceremony takes place daily 2 hours before sunset.
• Other than this the soldiers have some time of fun with each other by competing leg rising competition and more alike.
• After the completion of the flag lowering people also take pictures with the hardworking soldiers there to make them realize how important they are to them.
• The soldiers are immensely applauded by their people for their efforts in marching, flag lowering, and other competitions by claps, national anthems, slogans, and a lot more gestures of love.
• The seating arrangement of this ground is divided into 4 categories that are:
  • Male (This area of seating is strictly restricted for the men audience).
  • Female (This area of seating is strictly restricted to the female audience).
  • VIP (This area is restricted for the VIP guests attending these ceremonies and is non-segregated)
  • VVIP (This area is restricted for the VVIP guests and this is also non-segregated seating arrangement).

Structural Overview of Wagah Border

• The Wagah railway station is situated 400 meter (13,000 ft) by the south while 100 meters (330 ft) away from the border.
• The entrance of the Wahg-Attari border consists of giant walls and a gate that lets people go in.
• Over this gate, there is a writing that says “Baab-e-Azadi” which means “The door of Independence”.
• This door when crossed by the visitors opens into a big ground where the Beating retreat ceremony and many other festivities take place.

Who Can Visit Wagha Border?

• If You are a Pakistani - People with Pakistani Passport are no more allowed to cross the border without proper paperwork attested by the authorities.
• If You are an Indian - People holding Indian passports are also restricted to stay within their border and pass only with the authority's permission.
• If You Are A Tourist - People holding any passport other than Indian or Pakistani are bound to have a visa of both countries to enter through one and exit through the other. Such people can cross this border from both side, and exit from the other one by any means.

How to Visit Wagha-Border?

Weather Of Wagah-Attari

• The weather of Wagah-Attari border is usually around 30°C.
• The weather around Wagah-Attari border crosses up to 40°C in peak summers.
• The weather in peak winters goes around 5 or 4°C.

Key Facts About Wagah Border:

• The Soldiers on post around the Wagha border of Pakistan are specifically trained for the Beating Retreat Ceremony.
• A special honorarium is provided to the participating soldiers of the Beating Retreat Ceremony for the maintenance of their mustaches and beards.
• The Border Security forces (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets on special occasions like Eid-ul-Adha and others.