In a sparsely populated section of the Indian state of Gujarat’s northwestern boundary, the Nadabet Indo-Pak Border is working silently to reshape the way the public interacts with one of the country’s most contested borders. What was historically a restricted space is now being reconceptualized as a formal, public-facing tourism space. Nadabet is popularly called the Wagah Border of Gujarat and a similar beating retreat is happening here every evening. However, unlike in Amritsar, Pakistan does not reciprocate this gesture here.The Nadabet Indo-Pak Border area is developed/operated by Lallooji & Sons in collaboration with Gujarat Tourism. The key attractions here are based on the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony performed by the Border Security Force every evening during sundown, comprising synchronised drills, high-stepping maneuvers, and lowering of flags at the T-Junction on the Indian side. A special parade arena, accommodating nearly 5,000 spectators, provides an opportunity to witness the function at close range. Compared to the popular Wagah-Attari parade on the Punjab border, the function at Nadabet is said to have a different experience due to the desert and low density . “Our focus was never to replicate another border ceremony, but to create an experience rooted in the geography and history of this region,” said Vishram Singh, General Manager, Nadabet, operated by Lallooji & Sons.

Besides the evening spectacle, the site has been developed into a broader educational and experiential destination. The Ajeya Prahari Smarak commemorates BSF personnel who lost their lives in service, while the Sarhad Gatha Museum documents the evolution of India’s border guarding forces through artefacts, archival narratives, and weapons on display. Hence, interactive bits like the virtual reality gaming zone were added to make the space accessible even to younger visitors.“We wanted the site to speak to multiple generations, not just through symbolism, but through storytelling,” Vishram Singh added. One of the site’s defining features is Seema Darshan, a guided visit that allows civilians to go close to the international border under BSF supervision. “The idea is to help visitors understand what guarding the border actually entails, without compromising operational security,” said Vishram Singh.With its potential to be a destination for a whole day, the other attractions in Nadabet would also feature an adventure game circuit, an observing point from which the border region can be seen from afar, a food court, and easy accessibility to the famous temple of Nadeshwari Mata, which witnesses a huge rush on the occasion of Ram Navami as well as Sharad Purnima. On January 26th, it will witness a full-day Republic Day celebration. It entails flag hoisting by a senior BSF officer, a bike rally, cultural activities, and an evening parade and Garba event. Located around 239 kilometres from Ahmedabad, Nadabet is open from Tuesday to Sunday, reflecting Gujarat’s growing push towards experiential and border-linked tourism.