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All India Hardo Rattan Wagah Flag Ceremony

Wagah Flag Ceremony

On the Pakistan-India border the militaries perform an elaborate theater of aggression each and every night.

Hardo Rattan, India

Added By
Dylan Thuras
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  Leonardo I / Atlas Obscura User
  Leonardo I / Atlas Obscura User
The crowd at the Wagah border   Lucy DiSanto / Atlas Obscura User
The flag lowering is the final act of pomp   MarkTimeTravel / Atlas Obscura User
Flag waving   Lucy DiSanto / Atlas Obscura User
Patriotism from the Pakistan side   MarkTimeTravel / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The village of Wagah lies on a contentious border. Its eastern half remains in India as it has always been, while its Western half is in Pakistan, split down the middle by the British in 1947. Wagah remains the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan, though trucks and mail trucks are not allowed to pass. Porters must carry items across the border from an Indian truck onto a Pakistani one, or vice versa. Every sunset for 62 years the crossing between the two countries has been closed in the Wagah flag ceremony. It is a spectacle not to be missed.

Each night the Indian military, and the Pakistani Rangers step out to the cheers of thousands of spectators. While one side screams "Pakistan Zindabad" or "Long live Pakistan," the other shouts "Jai Hind" or "Long live India." Wearing almost identical military regalia of boots, spats, uniforms, metals, mustaches and plumed hats the two sides are distinguishable by the differing colors of their uniforms: dark green for the Pakistani Rangers and tan for the Indian Military.

Heated looks, mimicked threats, goose stepping and the slap of boots hitting the pavement are all part of the ritual and the movements all bear a distinct resemblance to those of angry birds. Carrying loaded weapons the two sides perform a final elaborate series of steps, speed marching towards each other in an aggressive dance before meeting in the middle and taking the flags down simultaneously. There is the briefest of handshakes and then the gates are closed. The ceremony, for that day at least, is over.

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Train or plane to Amritsar then drive down to the border at Wagah. Go early to get a good seat.

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Added By

Dylan

Edited By

IJVin, kostas1964ath, nielscordes, MarkTimeTravel...

  • IJVin
  • kostas1964ath
  • nielscordes
  • MarkTimeTravel
  • Leonardo I
  • Lucy DiSanto

Published

September 19, 2009

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Wagah Flag Ceremony
GT Road
Hardo Rattan, 143108
India
31.604659, 74.573087
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Nearby Places

Pul Kanjri

Attari, India

miles away

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