Nadabet: The only Border Tourism place in India so far on Indo-Pak border was Wagah border in Punjab. However Gujarat has now got its own border tourism place with so many activities and installations. Border Security Force (BSF) post at Nadabet is the destination to reach for Border Tourism in Gujarat. And this latest border tourism facility is completely different compared to the Border tourism site at Wagab border in Punjab.

Located right on the Indo-Pak border, Nadabet is in the Great Rann of Kutch, situated in the district of Banaskantha in the northern part of Gujarat. Nadabet provides an opportunity to witness the functioning of a BSF post on the international border along with the ‘Seema Darshan’ retreat parade ceremony held in the evening. Seema Darshan includes Border Security Force (BSF) jawans displaying a gallant show of marching with pride to end another day of guarding the international border.

Nadabet is also famous for the temple dedicated to Goddess Nadeshwari, an incarnation of Goddess Amba. According to folklore, the Goddess appeared in the form of a girl child of the Charan community and provided food to the ruler of Junagadh and his army, when they were marching towards Sindh in order to rescue his sister, abducted by the Islamic ruler of Sindh. The army was guided by the Goddess in the form of the girl and ensured them a safe passage through the desert. A temple was constructed at the place where Goddess appeared as the child, known as Nadeshwari Mata Mandir, located approximately 20 km from Sui village. A BSF jawan serves as the Pujari (priest) in the temple and offers ritual worship to Mata Nadeshwari. The temple trust provides accommodation to tourists at economic rate as well as lunch and dinner free of cost.

The entry point to the border is the T-Junction. The T-junction offers a variety of adventure activities, which includes ATV ride, Rann Safari (desert safari), paramotor joyride, paintball, rocket ejector, high and low rope course, free fall, rock climbing, bungee basket and much more. Gujarat Tourism is planning to start bus service for tourists from T-junction to international border. Currently, tourists can reach the international border only by personal vehicles. Apart from that, T-junction also has a food court and a garden.

While the auditorium shows documentaries on BSF, the museum Sarhad Gatha showcases the valiant history of BSF’s role in guarding the borders of India. Besides, there is also an art gallery named Naam Namak Nishan. Inside T-junction, there is an exhibition of tanks and army bunkers in order to create the impression of the life of BSF jawans deployed at the border. The activity zone includes a stadium as well.

In order to proceed towards Nadabet International Border which is located 25 km ahead, permit needs to be obtained from BSF office at T-junction. On the way to border from T-junction, tourists can visit Viewing Deck constructed on the road side, made essentially as a tower to get picturesque view of the desert. The deck houses military tanks for tourists. The visiting time for T-junction is 9am to 7pm. T-junction is closed on Monday. The time for visiting the border is from 9am to 4pm. To obtain an entry permit for visiting the border, visitors need to show their AADHAR card at the BSF office at T-junction. Videography is prohibited after T-junction.

Finally, after arriving at the zero-line border, tourists can see the international border between India and Pakistan, separated by fencing. Tourists can see Pakistan’s landscape across the border from here. In order to provide tourists a view across the zero line, as well as broader view of the desert, a high watch-tower is especially constructed. The road parallel to the fencing separating Indian landmass with Pakistan is used only by the BSF. For the facilitation of the visitors, a tourist point has been constructed at zero-line, where they can sit and view the landscape of desert and international border. A selfie point too has been constructed for tourists.

The entire tourism activity from T-junction to the zero-point is designed in such a way that the visitors get filled with a strong sense of patriotism and learn about the heroic history of the sacrifices made by the armed forces of India to safeguard the borders of the nation.

Nadabet is located 169 km from Palanpur (district headquarter of Banaskantha), 187 km from Mehsana, 267 km from Ahmedabad and 246 km from the state capital Gandhinagar. The nearest airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, located 245 km away. Randhanpur, Bhildi, Deesa and Palanpur are the nearest railway stations.

What you can enjoy:

– Enjoy the road that is located right in the middle of the Great Rann of Kutch.

– Do get clicked yourself with the number of war/military installations, such MiG plane, tank and more.

– Go atop the deck and get yourself clicked with the Rann of Kutch in your background.

– Get yourself clicked with the international border fencing with Pakistan. A prototype of border pillar has also been put so that you can get clicked with it.

– If you are there at the proper time, you can also watch the display by BSF jawans.

– Visit the museum, the adventure and activities park.

– Have a darshan of Goddess Nadeshwari temple.

– Enjoy the food at fast-food shops area.

-Worth noting that the Pakistan side of the fence is flat and barren with hardly any human or animal movement. So don’t expect to see anything on that side barring just a white border pillar, some grass and barren land. DeshGujarat