Category Archives: Punjab

10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Travel India

India the land of 1.3 Billion inhabitants is a cacophony of contrasts, sound, colors, smell, and taste. Mother India as we Indians say it, has a rich history, heritage, traditions, unbelievable landscapes, lush beauty and exotic architecture to overload your senses. It is the Birthplace of Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other religions. Guests are treated as Gods and each Indian live by the saying “Atithi Devo Bhava”. Not only this, but the variety of lavish cuisines of every state of India is also unique and completely mouthwatering. So, in the post, we will be quoting reasons, that why everyone should travel India, at least once in their lifetime. Also, we will brief the Indian visa and its application process.

10 Reasons Why Travel India

Why Travel India?

History & Architecture

India, also known as Bharat is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. It has a history dating back to the Neothilic period. The land has been ruled by several rulers, dynasties and has gone through several wars and conquers. Each of these rulers during its era built unique massive forts, palaces, mosques, temples, etc. So there is a lot of history behind each of these structures along with unique architecture and an interesting story. Apart from this India is also known as the land of epics and legends. The two epics Ramayana and Mahabharata belong to this nation.

Haunted Bhangarh fort
Bhangarh fort in Rajasthan

Today, 38 ancient sites (cultural and natural) of the nation are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, making it a treasure trove for history buffs and design enthusiasts.

Culture and Traditions

The country is known throughout the world for its diverse cultures. And the same manifest well in its religions, traditions, languages, festivals, fairs, values, dresses, art and craft. India is dominantly a Hindu state but has a lot of Muslim population too, making it to one of the largest Muslim nations in the world.

Pushkar in Rajasthan- Travel India

The country has multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious society i.e. the total 29 states of country have its own communities, culture, traditions, festivals, dressing style and food. People speak different languages and have diverse lingual tones. The traditional culture and lifestyle in Indian villages symbolizes the true essence of India. But overall, it is an amalgamation of various cultures influenced from thousands of year’s old history. The phrase Unity in Diversity sums up the true India.

Himalayas

The word “Himalayas” means a house of snow or snow abode in Sanskrit. The Indian Himalayas spread over the northern frontiers and the north of it is known as roof the world. The Himalayas span Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Bay of Bengal in India.

View of Chau Chau Kang Nilda from Fossil Village Langza
View of Chau Chau Kang Nilda from Fossil Village Langza Spiti Valley

The Himalayas have some of the highest peaks like Kanchenjunga, which is the third-highest peak in the world. Many of these peaks are considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists. The Himalayas too are rich in extensive flora, fauna, and medicinal herbs. The mighty rivers like Ganges, Indus, Satluj, Brahmaputra have their origin from the Himalayas. The River Ganga is sacred of all rivers and runs for 2500 Kilometers from Northern Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. It is a source of fishing, agriculture and many other activities. Hindus also believed that the River transports the prayers of believers to heaven and a dip in the river purifies your soul.

Devprayag - Confluence of River Bhagirathi and River Alaknanda
Devprayag – Confluence of River Bhagirathi and River Alaknanda

Another thing, not to miss in the Himalayas is Himalayan Toy Train of Shimla, Darjeeling, Ooty. These colonial trains are a part of UNESCO Heritage sites and they provide a mesmerizing experience. The scenic beauty around the lush green landscapes and blue sky from the speeding train looks just out of the world.

Darjeeling Toy Train Steam Engine- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Darjeeling Toy Train Steam Engine

Adventure

If you are an adventure lover and like an instant adrenaline rush, then travel India. In India, adventure follows everywhere – be it while hiking or driving in the Himalayas in Leh Ladakh and Spiti Valley, riding around the beaches of Goa; while doing a safari in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Ranthambore National Park or checking the haunted Bhangarh fort of Rajasthan, while checking the wildlife in the Himalayas or jungle, while passing the highest motorable passes in Ladakh or ridging the double-humped camels in Nubra valley or moving endlessly in the chaotic streets of Old Delhi, while hitchhiking or boarding the public transport. In every nook and corner, you will find an endless adventure and it is extremely fun.

View of Khajjiar Meadows form Hotel Devdar - Dalhousie Chamba Khajjiar
View of Khajjiar Meadows form Hotel Devdar

High Altitude Lakes

Indian Himalayas are home to plenty of high altitude lakes, out of which many are still undiscovered. These high altitude turquoise blue water Lakes nestled between the snow covered mountain peaks looks completely ethereal and surreal in summers whereas remain completely frozen in winters.

Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim - Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim

The Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim, located at 5430 meters i.e. 17,800 feet is the highest lake in India. Its changing colors with the daylight can leave anyone spellbound. The other high altitude lakes which one should check are – Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, and Suraj Tal in Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign Nationals need a special PAP (Protected Area Permit) and Indians need an Inner line permit to visit many of these.

Religious and Spiritual Tour to Temples & Monasteries

Religion and spirituality are intertwined in the daily lives of Indians. India is a birthplace of various religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and others. Visiting temples (Badrinath, Kedarnath Temple, etc), Buddhist monasteries like Hemis Monastery, and looking into their relics and stories gives one a better picture of Indian culture. Witnessing the people worshipping and praying in their own ways is not less than a treat to eyes. Spirituality here is not just about praying but it’s about finding one’s inner peace and spiritual self.

Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh- Travel India
Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh – Travel India

The Buddhist Gompas in the North India, exemplify the rich traditions and simplistic life Monks lead, the Ashrams spread throughout the country gives you an idea of slow peaceful life with the consumption of organic food whereas the ancient Temples of South gives you the insight of wealth of the country. Apart these, there are some amusing and unique temples too, set up on the beliefs, likelihood or on the fan following For e.g. – motorcycle temple in Rajasthan, Amitabh Bachhan Temple in Kolkata, Dog Temple in Karnataka, Visa Temple in Jalandhar Punjab, Narender Modi Temple in Gujarat and Bharat Mata Temple in Varanasi.  

Food

Indians have diverse culinary habits throughout and their food style is influenced by Mughlai, Persian and many others. Most importantly Indians take their food quite seriously.

Pao Bhaji at Orange Festival Dambuk
Pao Bhaji – Indian Street food

The diverse variety of lip-smacking delicacies range from the Thukpa in North to the Idly-Sambar in the South, including the Dal Baati Churma in the West and the various dishes of pork in the East. Chapatti with the thick curries also makes to the staple food in North India whereas rice with the seafood, prepared in coconut curry, is for South. Apart this there is no end to the street food here. So, overall India is a gastronomical paradise and the aroma of food can easily trigger up your taste buds.

Festivals & Fairs

India the largest democratic country with diversity in religion, culture, and topography is diverse with its festivals and fairs too. Each month there is some or other festival or fair and it is celebrated on a large scale. Some of these festivals have a religious affair whereas others are celebrated for fun and seasonal change. The main motto of each is to bring people of all religions together for bonding and humanity and unite the whole of India to a single bunch. For the month-wise details of Indian festivals of India check Part 1 and Part 2 here.

Holi Festival Travel India
Holi Festival – Travel India

The festival of Lights Diwali, where the whole sky gets illuminated by fireworks and the festival of Colors are the two most important festivals of India. Apart from festivals, the endless fairs or melas celebrated across the country, highlights the local culture of the land in most colorful and expressive ways, emphasizing the prevailing folklore and history of the region. The must-visit fairs while travelling to India include the Pushkar Camel fair, Khumb Mela, Rann Utsav, Goa Carnival, Khajuraho Dance Festival, Elephant festival of Jaipur, Dambuk Orange festival, etc.

4-4 Fury adventure at Dambuk Orange Festival - Travel India
4-4 Fury adventure at Dambuk Orange Festival – Travel India

Yoga & Ayurveda Treatment

Yoga and Meditation originated in India and today it is practiced throughout the world for stress relief, physical fitness, and relaxation. So, Yoga might belong to the world but its Home is India only. Therefore, to learn or practice yoga, travel India and it’s the best place to lean it. Yoga is not just about physical fitness and being flexible, it is a repository. It means to connect- Connect to yourself and maintain harmony with nature. It is a way to recognize self, increase self-consciousness and coordination, to open yourself to new things and ideas. The best places to learn Yoga are Rishikesh, Dharamshala, Haridwar, Mysore, etc.

View from Ayurvedic Spa Room of Chariot Beach Resort Mahabalipuram
View from Ayurvedic Spa Room of Chariot Beach Resort Mahabalipuram

Ayurveda, the 5000 years old natural medicine system, too has its origin in India and today its variants are used everywhere in the world as alternative medicine. The traditional system focuses on treating and eradicating the problem right from the root cause of it, by taking the account of diet, lifestyle, routine, exercise and circumstances of a patient. Ayurveda purifies the mind, body and soul. Indian forests being rich in herbs and flora, have multiple medical concoctions. So, India is an ideal place for availing Ayurveda Treatment. The best place to experience Ayurveda treatment, spas and massages in India is Kerala.

People

Last but not the least is always smiling, and hospitable people. Be it the extreme village of Spiti Valley or the desert, people are kind enough to invite you to your home for a cup of tea with local bread. Even if they have one room and you are in shortage of space, they will be more than happy to accommodate you. Still in the remote villages, you can see the innocent children playing in the puddles or climbing the trees, much away from the facts of internet and technology.

Children playing cricket on the way to chanshal pass
Children playing cricket on the way to Chanshal Pass

How to get Indian Visa

All tourists need to apply for Indian visa before traveling. The visa can be applied through Indian Post or via the most convenient option i.e. e- visa. The e- visas should be applied at least four days before the travel date and the traveler can enter the country within a period of 120 days from the issue date. For Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then the applicant can select the arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan.

From 2019, the newly issued tourist and business e-visas for India are valid for 365 days. Within this period, the tourist can make an unlimited number of trips to India. However, this does not mean that you can stay in India for one consecutive year. UK, USA, Canada or Japan passport holders can stay for max. 180 days whereas other nationalities can only stay for a maximum of 90 consecutive days.

From the web browser open the site for applying for an India visa. Fill all the required details like contact information, place of residence, travel dates, passport information, and passport photo, and wait for 4 days to get the approval. In case of emergency, visas get approved within 24 hrs.

10 Reasons Why Travel India
10 Reasons Why Travel India

Important Points to Remember before traveling to India

  • Give yourself enough time to enjoy every location in India
  • Prepare a rough itinerary encompassing accommodation and transport, to avoid unavoidable Indian mishaps and adventurous detours
  • Hindi is India’s mother tongue still it isn’t spoken by everyone and everywhere in India. In fact, there are more than 20 languages spoken throughout the country and English tends to serve as a common lingo
  • Learn few Hindi phrases to break the ice with locals like “Namaskar” (hello), “Dhanyawaad” (thank you), “Aap Kaise hai” (how are you), “Kitna Dena hai” (how much to pay) and “Naam kya hai” (what’s your name)
  • Credit cards, Debit cards, and money wallets are accepted throughout the country. But still carry some cash while traveling in the remote areas and in the Himalayas
  • There are plenty of street food options in India but consume it from a good food joint only to avoid food poisoning
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
  • Wear comfortable clothing and dress appropriately according to the location. In mountains, it is usually cold even in summers so always remember to carry windcheaters and a light jacket
  • Toilets are still a big-time challenge in many remote parts of India. So, carry Pee safe with you always to avoid infection
  • Public transport as well as cab service is good in the country but make sure to take complete information about the route before traveling
  • Inform the concerned person about your travel plans and locations in India for safety and security
  • Bargaining is possible in the street and flea markets of India, so remember to do it before making a purchase

10 Interesting facts about Chandigarh

Chandigarh the union territory and capital of 2 states Punjab and Haryana is the first planned city of India. The place is entirely unique as it has a rich history, bright future and extraordinary beauty and is controlled by the Union Government. The city overpowers other union territories of India in terms of every metric- be it the quality of life, living standards, planning, architecture or touristy spots. THE CITY BEAUTIFUL stands on the top in the list of well-known cities around the world and interestingly there are many interesting facts about Chandigarh. The city is also known as Pensioner’s Paradise, as mostly the retired officials and the politicians are seen residing in the posh areas here.

10 Interesting Facts about Chandigarh

10 Interesting facts about Chandigarh

We feel, once you breathe in the air of this city, you won’t be able to settle anywhere else. Its air has something in its ambiance which embraces everyone who comes here either to visit or live. So in this post, lets quickly read the most surprising facts about Chandigarh, from its name to how it got created to its symbolic monument, etc. and we are sure these will make you surely plan a visit to the City Beautiful.

Facts about Chandigarh

1. Name

The city got its name Chandigarh from the Chandi Devi Mandir. Chandi means “Warrior version of Goddess Parvati” and Garh means “Fort.” The temple lies in Panchkula i.e 15 km away from the city Chandigarh. During Navratris, thousands of people gather here to do pooja and is considered as a must visit place for everyone who seeks to let their wishes come true.

Also Read: Experience Indian Festivals on a Holiday Trip

The city Beautiful Chandigarh

2. Location

Chandigarh lies in the foothills of the Shivalik range of Himalayas at 365 meters above sea level. The entire layout of the city is in sync with nature and you can find different varieties of flowering species and trees planted all around the city.

Note: the three nearby cities namely Panchkula, Mohali and Chandigarh together are known as Tricity here.

3. First Planned city & its architecture

The city was the dream of our honorable late Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru and his vision was brought into reality by French Architect Le Corbusier. Today it is spread over an area of 114 sq.mt and is known as the first planned city of modern India.

3D view of Chandigarh - The City Beautiful
3D view of Chandigarh – The City Beautiful

Indeed, the city is known internationally too, for one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture.

4. Official Symbol – Open Hand Monument

The Openhand Monument, a symbolic structure of peace was the central idea of the architect Le Corbusier. The symbol represents “to give and to offer”, is 26 meters high, made of metal. Interestingly the Hand Structure rotates in the direction of wind flow.

Open Hand Monument - Official symbol of Chandigarh

5. Design analogous to the human body

The City is planned according to the structure of the human body where:

  • Sector 1 comprising of Capitol Complex is the HEAD
  • Sector 17, City Centre is the HEART
  • Leisure Valley which consists of various parks is the LUNGS
  • The cultural and educational institutions are the INTELLECTS
  • The network of the roads based on seven V’s (with the vertical roads called the Paths (running northeast/southwest) and horizontal roads called Margs (running northwest and southeast) are the CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
  • Industrial Area is the VISCERA

6. Sectors & Unlucky Sector – 13

The whole city is divided into sectors and each one is well connected with market, shops, schools and other needed amenities via a network of small roads. The educational, cultural and medical facilities are spread all over the city, however, major institutions are located in Sectors 10, 11, 12, 14 and 26.

Sector 17, the city centre is the heart of Chandigarh. It comprises the Inter-State Bus Terminus, Parade Ground, District Courts etc. on one hand, and vast business, banks and office square and shopping center on the other.

Top View of Chandigarh
Top View of Chandigarh

There is NO sector 13 in Chandigarh City as Le’ Corbusier being a Christian believed to number 13 to be highly unlucky. Thus this idea prevails in the construction of the Chandigarh as well Panchkula.

The roads of the city are designed and oriented in such a way that most of the time during the day, they are under a shadow. There are huge parking areas for the commercial zones to avoid havoc on the main roads.

Also Read: Flag Retreat Ceremony at Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur

7. Roundabouts & No statues

The city is also known as city of roundabouts as after every few meters on the road, there are roundabouts decorated with plants and flowers, adding miles to the beauty. And none of the park or roundabout in Chandigarh has statue or sculpture of any kind as the condition laid down by Le Corbusier.

Matka Chownk in Chandigarh
Matka Chownk in Chandigarh

8. Historical Background

Early History

The medieval Chandigarh was said to be the home of Harappan Civilisation nearly 8000 years ago. So, this place has a rich history and also, from the nearby locations, some remnants have been found.

Also Read: Aamod Resort Shoghi near Shimla

Modern History

After Partition of India in 1947, Punjab was split to East Punjab (India) and West Punjab (Pakistan). The Indian Punjab required a new capital to replace Lahore, which had become part of Pakistan during Partition. So, in 1949 the work of designing a new city was designated to an American Planner and architect Albert Mayer. And there came the origin of Chandigarh. The Beautiful city got completed in 1960 and till then Shimla was the temporary capital.

Also read: Shimla Trip in style with Dhatu as a fashion accessory

9. Haunted & Mysterious Places:

The beautiful city too has many haunted places and abandoned homes. Most haunted stories lie in Sector 16, where there is a famous Haunted House and Haunted Bridge. The house has been lying vacant from several years now and its condition is enough to give you shivers. It is believed that an aspiring doctor girl, 20 years old was hit by a truck and her soul still resides in the area. People have all sorts of stories attached to it where some have even said that they were in a conversation with a girl and then she disappeared right in front of their eyes. Read some more haunted places of Chandigarh here.

Haunted Bridge in Chandigarh
Haunted Bridge in Chandigarh

Sukhna Lake

The man-made Sukhna Lake is one of the longest channel for rowing and yachting events in Asia. And it has some mystical elements attached to it. Just in the center, there is a tower, known as the suicide point which is closed for the public now, due to multiple suicides.

Sukhna Lake Suicide Point in Chandigarh
Sukhna Lake Suicide Point

Then there is a belief, that those who wish for true love at the Lake, their wish can come true as the spirits take care of the lonely hearts.

Also Read: Haunted Bhangarh Fort

10. Why City Beautiful?

Chandigarh truly deserves the title of “THE CITY BEAUTIFUL.” Lush green surroundings, perfectly laid roads, walkways, disciplined people, flowering plants and trees on a roadside make it the best city to live.

Chandigarh - The City Beautiful

Attractions of Chandigarh

There are many famous tourist spots like

  • Rose Garden
  • Rock garden
  • Government Museum and Art Gallery
  • Sector 17 market
  • Shanti Kunj
  • The Capitol
  • Terraced Garden, Bougainvillea Garden, Botanical Garden, Fragrance Garden, Hibiscus Garden
  • Topiary Park, Japanese Garden, Butterfly Park, Cactus Garden, Garden of Silence, Garden of Palms
  • Doll Museum
  • Leisure Valley
  • Le Corbusier Center etc.
Rock Garden
Rock Garden Chandigarh

So, the City beautiful Chandigarh is full of surprises with well-planned infrastructure and lush green surroundings. Indeed, it tops the list of Indian states and union territories in the Human Development Index too. And believe us, it has got loads of things on its platter to serve you and will never let you go without a gleamy smile.

10 Interesting Facts about Chandigarh
10 Interesting facts about Chandigarh

We think we have given you enough reasons to visit this place. So start planning your trip soon. Explore the most famous locations and do let us know if you know any more facts about Chandigarh in the comments. Also, Don’t forget to share this post with your friends from Chandigarh or who are coming here. 

An hour of Patriotism : Flag Retreat Ceremony at Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur

The state Punjab, also known as the land of five rivers is bordered by Pakistani Province of Punjab on the west. And to demarcate the Indo – Pakistan regions there is Line of Control and three main borders in Punjab. These are Wagah Border (near Amritsar); Hussainiwala border (near Firozpur) and Sulemanki border (near Fazilka).

Out of all these three, the Hussainiwala border is just an hour’s journey from my hometown (35 Kms from Faridkot and 110 km from Ludhiana). We had planned several times earlier to see the flag retreat ceremony at Hussainiwala but always failed. Finally, it was this time to get immersed in the electrifying atmosphere of patriotism. The time to see; the lines of demarcation created by humans on map, land as well as in minds; the stomping and posing by BSF (Border Security Forces) Jawans of India and the Rangers of Pakistan.

Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur
Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur

About Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur

The Hussainiwala border lies 11 km from Firozpur/ Ferozepur. The border is bordered by Hussainiwala village on one side and Pakistani village Ganda Singh Wala on another side. The Indian check post is just 100 meters from the zero point whereas Pakistan’s post is around 600 meters. (As Narrated by the BSF personnel at Bunker)

Entrance to Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur
Entrance to Hussainiwala Border

The roads to reach the area are wide, clean, and decorated with swaying golden wheat fields on each side. On the way, in the evening you will only meet passing vehicles of army personnel and the travelers traveling to see the retreat ceremony. Before the border entrance, there is a huge Iron Bridge on River Sutlej which is closed on the Pakistan side.

Iron Bridge near Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur

Hussainiwala Border History

The Firozpur Border used to be the trade route for import of Kandahari Angoor (dehydrated grapes) and other fruits from Pakistan and Afghanistan, till 1970.  Since then the border roads are closed and only evening flag retreat ceremonies take place here.

How to Reach Hussainiwala Border

The Hussainiwala border lies 11 km from Firozpur/ Ferozepur, 35 Kms from Faridkot, 110 km from Ludhiana & 23 Km from Chandigarh. It is well connected by rail and road. The nearest railway station is at Firozpur itself whereas the nearest airport is at Ludhiana or Amritsar.

The Flag Retreat ceremony at Hussainiwala Border

The flag retreat ceremony at Ferozpur Hussaini Border started taking place only after 1970 when Mr. Ashawani Kumar Sharma, BSF Inspector General called upon both the authorities and suggested to start the flag retreat ceremony.

Hussainiwala Border Parade Timings

The hussainiwala retreat ceremony happens at fixed timings every day i.e. 5:30 pm in summers and 5:00 pm in winters and the whole ceremony lasts for half an hour. The entry gates open exactly half an hour before the beginning of the retreat.

Hussainiwala Border Entry Fee

There is an unpaid entry ticket or VIP Pass for the ceremony, which you get after showing I card. VIP Passes will land you sitting in the front row on chairs and general ticket on stairs. I personally feel that location for general ones is better than VIP’s for good clicks and one feels more enthusiastic there seeing the whole crowd cheering up.

Remember, the ticket is equally important for the exit too. Losing tickets means inviting trouble for yourself. The Jawans will kill you with the questions as well as they think you have come across the border. I will say God saves you here.

Inside the Border Parade Ceremony Area

On entry, the patriotic songs were buzzing at full volume with the sun planning to settle down. There is an aroma of patriotism in the air. Meanwhile, some of the BSF Jawans were busy settling down the crowd and they warned everyone from raising anti slogans.

Indo- Pakistan; Hussainiwala Border; Firozpur
Gates Closed between India & Pakistan at Hussainiwala Border

Once we settled down, we saw the Indian and Pakistan galleries are so close and opposite, that we could easily see each other so clearly. Is this the white line on the ground and gates on that line which has demarcated us into India and Pakistan? Why was the feeling and simultaneously there were questions running behind mind; after all, we all are humans and creation of same God, then, why there is so much hatred.

Before the retreat commenced there are a plethora of unstoppable patriotic slogans “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” from the Indian side, reciprocated by Pakistan from another side of the border. Then was the entry of real heroes of the show – BSF Jawans and Pakistan Rangers in equal numbers (not only men, women too). The BSF Jawans are dressed in their dress with red Peta whereas the rangers in black Kurta Pyjamas.

Opened gates for flag retreat ceremony at Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur
Opened gates for flag retreat ceremony at Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur

The Jawans turn wise clatter their feet on the ground and stomp them in the air which is followed by huge cheer and applause from the countrymen. Rangers in response, try to give poses of being more fearless and aggressive. Each of them even widens their chests to show their strength and anger. This is not all, still, the retreat of the flag is there and it is really interesting and jingoistic.

 

The flag Retreat Ceremony

The Jawans and Rangers cross the white line to come to the other countryside and form a beautiful cross X with the flag threads. Both the flags are held together at the junction and then are brought down at speed and folded neatly. It is actually a unique and amazing experience to witness the whole retreat ceremony.

 

As soon as the flags are folded and handed over, the BSF Jawans ask you to leave the premises. They ensure that the civilians intentionally or unintentionally should not cross the borderline.

Way to Hussaini Border, Firozpur
Way to Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur

Some Important Points

  1. Do remember to carry the Identity card with yourself.
  2. There is an entry ticket (unpaid) or VIP Pass for the ceremony (which you get after showing I card). The ticket is equally important for the exit too.
  3. VIP Passes will land you sitting in the front row on chairs and general ticket on stairs.
  4. In summers, the sun is on your head, so bring your umbrella as well as sunshades.
  5. You can carry your snacks and water bottle inside but do remember to bring them out too. Littering is not allowed and it helps to keep the premises clean too.
  6. Ask for permission to click the picture with the BSF personnel. They won’t say No and they actually like getting themselves clicked.
  7. Nearby, there is a park where memorials of Shahid Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev are built. If you have time go and pay tribute to them.
  8. Don’t dare to raise anti-national slogans as you will be chucked out and punished for the same.
  9. If elders are accompanying you, there is a facility of an electric car which can help them drop till the ceremony area.
  10. Weekends are more crowded than the weekdays at Hussainiwala Border Firozpur, as locals flock to see the ceremony, so plan your trip accordingly.
Indian BSF Jawan at Border
Indian BSF Jawan at Hussainiwala Border, Firozpur

Our Experience

Both the countries India and Pakistan might have enough hatred for each other but the Border is one place where both the countrymen are enough civilized, happily cheerful, and performs the same consensual rituals and now this ceremony had been happening for years. I just hope that a similar understanding might solve the other problems between the two nations and maintain peace.

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Firozpur Border Retreat Ceremony