Atari is a small town in
Amritsar District, near the border with Pakistan, in
Punjab. It is the last settlement on Indian side before crossing into Pakistan. It is located 28 km west of
Amritsar and about 70 km east of the Pakistan city of Lahore.
Local people and tourists flock in large numbers to witness the change of guards and retreat of troops at sundown, at the Wagah Border (4 km west of Atari) - the only overland opening between the two countries. The drill, choreographed with aggressive posturing and sabre-rattling, draws loud cheers from spectators on both sides and is a not-to-miss spectacle for tourists to the sub-continent.
Nearest international airport is at Amritsar. Atari Railway Station is the last railhead on the Indian side, on the way to Pakistan. The Grand Trunk Road (
National Highway 1) passes through Atari.
