We were now headed to witness the coveted flag lowering ceremony at the Attari Border. This is popularly also known as Wagah Border. Though the ceremony starts at sunset it is a good idea to reach by 3PM in order to get seats with the closest possible view to the Border Gates. You can drive upto the parking earmarked by the Border Force and then must walk about 800 metres to reach the main enclosure. The atmosphere is electrifying and abundant whiff of patriotism. Border Forces on each side put up a stellar show amongst a sea of humanity (20000+ or more people on each side). BSF and Pakistani Rangers march towards the gates from their respective sides. After the gates are opened, the soldiers salute each other and start lowering the flags. The flags are carefully folded and carried back. The ceremony reaches its apogee with the soldiers returning to the border line for the final handshake and the blowing of the bugle marks the end of the ceremony.
A perfect close to the evening is by biting into succulent piece of grilled fish, meat and chicken at the famous Beera Chicken House and Makhan Fish Centre on Majitha Road.
No trip to Amritsar is complete without a visit to the pious Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as The Golden Temple. Considered to be the holiest site it also is a seat of steadfast faith of Sikhism. The Gurudwara is a witness to multiple incidents but has been rebuilt with higher fervor and grandiose every time. It is built at a level lower than the surrounding land to teach a lesson of egalitarianism and humility. The sanctum sanctorum rises from the center of a sacred pool or Sarovar. Built in the 1577 the tomb is gilded with pure gold that weighs about 750 Kg. Akin to entering any Gurudwara you have to cover your head and wash your feet at the entrance. After a darshan of the revered Guru Granth Sahib which is placed below bejeweled covers head out to have the Khada Prasad and then to have the Guru ka Langer which serves people from all walks of life all 365 days.
A quick walk across the markets in Amritsar will leave you with ample choices to buy colorful Phulkari fabrics, top of the line dry fruits some of which comes from Pakistan and a variety of Punjabi pickles, papads and other eatables. In every form the city is a pure bliss…. The icing on the cake had to be the Amritsari Kulcha at Bhai Kulwant Singh Kulchain Wale near the golden temple. We headed off to the station to comfortably board the Swarn Shatabdi on our way back to Delhi and carry fond memories for a lifetime.
