Wagah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wagah
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The evening flag lowering ceremony at the Pakistan–India international border near Wagah
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Location of Wagah
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 Wagah
Location in Punjab, Pakistan
Wagah
Location in Pakistan
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| Country |  Pakistan |
| District | Lahore |
| Zone | Wahga |
| Union Council | 181 |
| Population | |
| • Total | Cantonment village: 26,900 Municipal corporate council: 560,968 Border: 230,008 |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PKT) |
Wagah (also spelled Wagha) is a village and a local government area called a union council in Pakistan. It is located near Lahore City District in the Wahga Zone. This town is very well-known for the Wagah border ceremony. It also acts as a place where goods are moved between Pakistan and India. Wagah has a railway station that connects the two countries.
Wagah is about 600 meters west of the border. It sits on the old Grand Trunk Road, which links Lahore and Amritsar in India. The border is about 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Lahore and 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Amritsar. It is also 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from the nearby Indian village of Attari. The famous Wagah ceremony happens every evening.
Contents
What is the Wagah-Attari Border Ceremony?
How the Border Crossing Got Its Name
The border crossing is named after Wagah village. This is where the Radcliffe Line was drawn. The Radcliffe Line was the boundary that divided India and Pakistan when British India was split in 1947. When India and Pakistan became independent, many people moved between the two countries through this border. The Wagah railway station is just 400 meters (1,300 feet) south of the village and 100 meters (330 feet) from the border itself.
The Daily Border Ceremony Explained
The Wagah-Attari border ceremony takes place at the border gate every day, about two hours before sunset. This special flag ceremony is performed by the Pakistan Rangers and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). It's similar to other ceremonies at different border crossings.
A unique marching ceremony, sometimes called the "Silly Walk ceremony," is part of the event. This ceremony started in 1986 as a sign of peace between the two nations. It's a powerful display of national pride and a popular tourist attraction.
Wagah's Tall Flags
In August 2017, a very tall Pakistani flag was put up on the Wagah side of the border. It stands 122 meters (400 feet) high. This was done after India put up its own tall flagpole on their side in Attari. India's flag is 110 meters (360 feet) tall. India also built a large stadium with seating for 25,000 visitors to watch the ceremony. The pole in Attari is the largest in India. There is no stadium on the Pakistani side like the one in India.
Images for kids
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A 122-meter high Pakistani flag at Wagah Border.
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Stadium-like seating at the Pakistani side of the border.
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The Pakistani gate at the border crossing.
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Bab-e-Azadi (Gate of Independence) on the Pakistani side of Wagah Border.
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Indian BSF soldiers at Wagah.
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Women soldiers from the Indian BSF at Wagah.
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Punjab Rangers soldiers at Wagah.
See also
In Spanish: Wagah para niños
