The Wagah Border ceremony is one of a lifetime experience that every Indian and Pakistani must witness. It is a flag lowering ceremony conducted each day at sunset on Wagah and Attari border between India and Pakistan. It is carried out by India’s BSF and Pakistan’s Rangers. Its full of pomp, vigour and national pride. It triggers the feeling of true patriotism in you with desh bhakti (patriotic) songs being played and people shouting and cheering on both sides.
Before going in detail, few facts about the border. Although it is popularly known as Wagah border but it is a border between two villages of the countries: Attari village on Indian side and Wagah village on the Pakistani side. There is a railway line which also joins these two villages for trade of goods and transfer of people. Wagah Border is also known as “BERLIN WALL OF ASIA“.
I witnessed this ceremony back in June 2015. With sun setting down, patriotic songs being played, a raft of people on the Indian side cheering and shouting Jai Hind, Mera Bharat Mahan and the Tri-Color painted on their body, the atmosphere was all exuberant and ebullient as if we Indians were all ready to charge! (Probably the same on the other side of the gates). It was also galvanizing for the soldiers performing the parade.
All of a sudden, there was a sound of a bugle followed by thumping boots with soldiers of both countries marching aggressively towards each other in their crisp and smart uniforms and with the 6 feet tall Pathans on Pakistani side and tall and statuesque BSF soldier with their smart handlebar mustache on the Indian side, it looked as if two mountains were going to collide. It looked resplendent.
They thrashed the gates at each other, with huge amount of aggression in their eyes, raised their legs to the face of each other for the salute, then marched vigorously towards the flag, it was all hysterical and full of impact. Then they continued the drill and the flags were lowered as the sun set!
It was majestic to watch the soldiers marching vigorously with pride in their hearts and belligerence in their eyes. A true feeling of being an Indian and Pakistani hit your heart to its core and you feel inspired and amazed. Also their were cultural performances with ladies and children dancing to the folk tunes and it was all a magical experience.
Although India and Pakistan share a rough history but it feels remarkable when you see the people hooting and shouting, soldiers showing the power and aggression and at the end both the flags being lowered.
This post was originally published on Great Indian Voyager.
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