Wahga Border Ceremony

Wahga Border Ceremony

The ceremony of lowering the flags, which has been held every evening soon before sunset since 1959, is a military custom carried out by the armed forces of India and Pakistan along the old Attari-Wagah boundary. The ceremony is a rare joint venture between the soldiers of India and Pakistan. Such a ceremony is known internationally as “Beating Retreat.” The participating soldiers are paid extra for keeping a big beard and moustache. Anyone who thinks that the India-Pakistan border is dangerous would change his opinion after attending the flag-lowering ceremony. The symbolic handshake at the end of the ceremony between the soldiers of arch-rivals India and Pakistan leaves the spectators wishing for more, hoping that one day these two countries would become allies. Given the rivalry between India and Pakistan, the ceremony has become quite famous over the years. Many people go to see the wonderfully coordinated display of soldiers on both sides of the border. Apart from attending the ceremony, the visitors go there to send a clear message to the governments of both countries that they want peace.