Wagha Border, Lahore

Wagah border is land crossing between Pakistan and India. Every day just before sunset, there is a ceremony called “lowering of the flags” when thrilling parade by the border security forces of both the countries is done. There are crowds on both sides of the border gates who gather there just to watch this ceremony.

Wagah border is about 25kms from Lahore city center. As city has grown leaps and bounds, therefore you will find towns all along the way. Do visit this place while on a visit to Shalamar Garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Garden is mid way on the road leading to the border.

This is a not to be missed experience while you are in Lahore. During the border opening in the morning or during the border closure in the evening. Army marching with national anthems with special ceremony. Please note that, you must be there before 4.30PM if you are visiting the place in the evening to avoid missing the ceremony.

Wagha is the only land border open between Pakistan and India (Lahore-Amritsar route). The Wagha border post is open daily for foreigners;
Summer (16 April to 15 October) 08:30 to 14:30 hrs and Winter (16 October to 15 April). Minibus No.12 leaves from outside Lahore Railway Station for Wagha every 15 minutes, costs approx US$ 0.20 per person. Taxi shall charge around US$ 8 for this half an hour journey.
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has started a luxury, direct bus service between Lahore and Delhi w.e.f. 16 March, 1999. The 43-seater, air-conditioned bus leave simultaneousely from Faletti's Hotel, Egerton Road, Lahore and Dr. Ambedkar Terminal, Delhi Gate, New Delhi on every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 06:00hours. One-way fare is equivalent to US$ 19 per person. The fare also includes cost of breakfast, lunch and evening tea. Total travel time is 11 hours. For bookings and information, please contact
PTDC office in Lahore
Tel:+92-42-6311961, 6363946-50
Fax:6364819
E-mail: ldb@ptdc.edunet.sdnpk.undp.org
and
DTC office in Delhi
Tel:+91-11-3317445
Fax:3715877
E-mail:dtc@nde.vsnl.net.in.

One day I went to the Wagah Border point which is about 30 minutes outside of Lahore. It is the only point on the entire border where one can cross from Pakistan into India, and vice-versa. Everyday they have a ceremony where Pakistani and Indian soldiers come out and have a lower their flags in unison. In the middle they enact some drama, the crowds get into it, and it's a strange show; considering that these men are stationed there to kill each other at a moments notice.

Regardless it was an interesting spectacle to watch. And really brought home possibility of conflict between the two nations, especially when I saw Indians no less than 100 meters from me yelling patriotic things in response to Pakistani chants. People do get into it, so it can be intense.

A Trip to Wagha Border with India:
Located right on Pak-India border, at a distance of 30 kilometers away from Lahore, capital city of the Punjab, PTDC’s motel at Wagha serves day and night as an important transit and entry point for tourists and passengers traveling on both sides of the border. Apart from comfortable rooms, the motel comprises of sitting room, TV lounge and a restaurant.

An enchanting feature is the Flag lowering ceremony held daily in the evening presenting a pageantry of march past. The motel offers facilities like TV, telephone, and laundry. While traveling in and around Lahore, Wagha is an important place of interest and should not be missed out of your itinerary.

Close by there are some hostorical monuments dedicated to the soldiers who fought bravely and died in the war with India in 1965, when India Attacked Pakistan at night from four Borders without informing.

Picture on Left: A traveller being checked by Indian Border Security Force (Army) after clearing from Pakistani Rangers (Army).

For more Pics See the Travelogue.