R D Mathur's Blog

This was my fourth visit to the holy city of Amritsar and Wagah border. A lot of people (who have obviously not witnessed it) have asked me, "what is there to see at the border?" Actually nothing but the sheer thrill you witness while flags are raised and lowered is something to be felt and not described. The daily ritual is followed by India and Pakistan in front of hundreds and thousands of citizens of both countries, with Indian side witnessing far great crowds. On weekends and holidays you can see a sea of humanity here.  Crowds in general stalls on Indian side.  Crowds on Pakistan side. Except for a few front rows ladies sit separately on Pakistan side. The ceremony takes place every evening before sunset at the Wagah border, which as part of the Grand Trunk Road was the only road link between these two countries before the opening of the Aman Setu in Kashmir in 1999.  The ceremony starts with a blustering parade by the soldiers from ...

On way to Wagah Border, 35 km from Amritsar on Amritsar-Lahore highway, near the Daoka and Dhanoa Kalan village lies the historical Pul Kanjri. It is a World heritage site and is one among the many buildings built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.  Pul Kanjri monument He would stay here with his royal troops, on his way to Lahore from Amritsar. The story goes that a dancer, from nearby village Makhanpura called Moran would often perform for the king. Once while crossing the water stream, built by Shah Jehan to carry water to Shalimar Bagh in Lahore, she lost her Silver jooti (slipper) and complained to the king.   Another view of the monument Ceiling of the Shiva temple Shivling inside the temple He then built a pul (bridge) across the stream with a fortress containing a bathing pool, with a separate enclosure for women. He also constructed a temple, a Gurudwara and a mosque at this site. People later named that pul as Kanjri Pul. It later...