A Spontaneous Adventure to the Attari-Wagah Border
#PunjabTravel
#BeatingRetreatCeremony #Vaisakhi
I was relaxing
at home when my phone buzzed. It was my friend Shaji, with a proposition I
couldn’t refuse. He was headed to Punjab for work, and offered me a chance to
join him on a quick adventure. Without hesitation, I said yes!
Shaji booked me a comfortable train ticket to New
Delhi. After a few hours, he joined me, and our journey began. We hired Amreek
Singh, a friendly Sardarji driver, for the road trip in his spacious taxi.
Leaving Delhi
in the afternoon, we entered Haryana. After a scenic three-hour drive, we
stopped at Haveli, a bustling dhaba (roadside restaurant) teeming with
travelers. We savored hot tea and snacks, soaking in the lively atmosphere.
The journey to
Attari, near Amritsar, was roughly 505 kilometers. We enjoyed the vast wheat
fields and the sight of farmers tending their lands. Crossing into Punjab, we
encountered toll booths, a necessary evil for maintaining the excellent
highways.
As night fell,
we reached Ludhiana. Exhausted but happy, we checked into a luxurious hotel,
having already enjoyed a delicious dinner at a roadside dhaba. Interestingly,
most restaurants we encountered served only vegetarian food, a testament to
Punjab’s culinary culture.
The next day, Shaji
had some personal business in Jalandhar.
Taking advantage of his absence, I explored the city. In the evening, we
finalized plans to visit the Attari-Wagah border, especially exciting since it
coincided with Vaisakhi, a vibrant harvest festival celebrated in Punjab.
Driving on the
highway, we saw joyous groups of Sikh people dancing and singing. Their warm
hospitality led to a stop for tea and snacks, though we politely declined their
offer for a full meal.
Here’s a fun
fact: Wagah, on the historic Grand Trunk Road, lies just 600 meters west of the
border, situated between Lahore in Pakistan and Amritsar in India. It’s a short
distance from both major cities, and just 3 kilometers from the bordering
Indian village of Attari.
The highlight
of our trip was undoubtedly the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the border. This
daily spectacle, held before sunset, is a unique display of both rivalry and
cooperation between the two nations. Soldiers from India (Border Security
Force) and Pakistan (Pakistan Rangers) perform a synchronized parade, complete
with synchronized marching and flag-lowering ceremonies.
The booming
music, patriotic songs, and rhythmic movements create a captivating atmosphere.
The energy is infectious, with crowds from all over India cheering and dancing
to the pulsating tunes.
This ceremony
is more than just a display of military precision; it’s a symbolic
representation of the complex relationship between India and Pakistan.
Stay tuned for
photos of Beating Retreat Ceremony.
Text and Photos
by Ashok Kara,
Ashokkaran.blogspot.com
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