India Pakistan Border Ceremony

The border closing ceremony between the security forces of India (Border Security Force) and Pakistan (Pakistan Rangers) is a unique experience that is without any comparable rivals.

Held daily since 1959, the ceremony takes place every evening before sunset at the Wagah border – just outside of Amritsar, Punjab.

With free admission (aside from transport) the ceremony attracts enormous crowds of both locals, tourists and foreigners; however, on the Pakistani side, the crowds is a much more humble gathering.

The festivities begin with dancing on the Indian side prior to the official ceremony with women of all ages partaking in the celebrations.

The ceremony commences with a roistering parade by soldiers on both sides of the border with theatrics that would have Monty Python eating his heart out.

Proud peacocks ruffling feathers could not compete with what is going on at ground level in a display of exaggerated marching, high legs kicks, stares and other highly coordinated manoeuvres.

The finale takes places at sundown when the respective flags of each country is lowered, folded and paraded to a designated storage facility with a brief aphoristic handshake between soldiers on both sides.

It truly is a spectacle unlike any other I’ve witnessed before in my life.


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  1. says: apol @ Wanderful Together

    saw this only in this blog!

    Cool, daily partying…so festive atmosphere.
    I’m wondering why the kicks are so high though. Hehehe!!
    Would love to see this myself.

  2. says: pankaj rai

    Really entertaining. Loved seeing this full write up on the ceremony, and the vids are a real bonus. I didn’t know women soldiers took part.

  3. says: Sherry

    I was really enjoying watching the videos. I can’t imagine how truly fascinating this would be in real life. What a show both sides put on! They do know how to party, at the very least.

  4. says: Leif

    Cool pics and videos. You can really see that left over british influence mixed with with Indian/Pakistani beats. Looks like a good party. I love some of the background music you have in your videos. Could you recommend me some artists?

  5. says: Cole and Adela (fourjandals)

    Haha wicked. Absolute madness that it is done every day but very cool as well. I love pompous ceremonies for no apparent reason.

  6. This is probably my favorite post of yours that you have done. I like how you used the two videos to compliment the write up. This is something I really need to see. I love how they do such a dramatic build up and then it ends with a modest handshake. Very telling and very powerful.