MUNABAO – The Last Railway Station Of India

Munabao is the last railway station in India located just 2-2.5 kilometres away from the international border of Indo-Pak in Rajasthan. It is in the Barmer District. Border Security Forces keep vigilance of the area. It was the last railway stop of the Thar Express before entering Pakistan. A local train runs from Barmer to Munabao up and down. So let’s explore this place.

Munabao

Munabao is a small village in the state of Rajasthan in India. It is famous because it is the last village in India beyond which the boundary of Pakistan starts. 

Munabao Railway Station

How to Reach Munabao

A train runs from Barmer Railway Station to Munabao. Passenger fare is 60 rupees for 118 kilometres run. The trains start at 7:00 A.M. from Barmer. Train timings may vary. You can check the IRCTC website for more information. The train takes a halt of about one hour and again starts its return journey to Barmer.

You can totally enjoy the railway journey. The train runs through the Thar Desert and at many points you can see the international fencing and Pakistan checkposts. The journey becomes a mesmerizing event. This is the only train in India passing through a desert. You can some glimpses of the Desert National Park as well. Careful of the sand entering through the window. It scatters over the seats.

You can also take the roadways from Jaisalmer as well as Barmer. The Jaisalmer route is more favourable as you can club the trip with other destinations as well.

Road journeys can trouble you sometimes. Generally, during the summers, the shifting sand dunes cover parts of the roads. Therefore it becomes difficult for the vehicles to cross them.

Human Settlements

The region does not have a dense settlement pattern. The houses are isolated and are kutcha houses. The area is dominantly rural but some urbanism effects can be seen. 

Police Checkpost

Since this area is very near the border, you will encounter many police checkposts. These checkposts belongs to Wildlife Protection Authorities, the Border Security Force as well as the Rajasthan Police.

Thar Express

Thar Link Express runs between Jodhpur’s Bhagat ki Kothi to Munabao and from Munabao the train runs as Thar Express from Zero Point railway station to Karachi Cantonment in the Pakistan region. This made Munabao a significant place of interest however the train has been suspended at present till further notice. This is the second train between India and Pakistan after Samjhauta Express that runs through Wagah Border.

Munabao – Khokhrapar Boundary

Nobody is allowed to cross the border of Khokhrapar-Munabao at zero line contrary to the tradition at Wagah border where the people can put fut and stand on the land of Pakistan and India by citizens of both these stations.

Reshma was on-board Thar Express and enetred Pakistan

In August 2018 a surprising event took place. Indian citizen Reshma was on-board Thar Express and entered Pakistan to meet her grandchildren who were Pakistanis, post her death. This was a great moment of emotional respect shown by the two nations. The gate briefly opened after 12 years of closure only to facilitate this rare passage. A similar event took place in 2006 when the gate of Khokhrapar-Munabao was opened for some Hindu pilgrims visiting the Mata Temple in Lasbela of Balochistan province.

Thar Express continued to run unaffected solely for passenger transportation till the Pulwama Attack of February 2019 whereas the Samjhauta Express was suspended after the Balakot incident. This was a setback in the relations between the two nations making them hostile. Munabao and the Thar Express acted as lifelines and means of people-to-people exchange strengthening the ties between India and Pakistan.

The Munabao Railway Station is a small station on the Broad Gauge line and is also electrified. A rail track is dedicated for the passage of trains and is fenced properly to prevent any mishap and ensure strict security measures. The ticket counter and checking facilities are separately maintained at the opposite platforms.

Munabao is a small village in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. The people living there are of a very helping nature. They live a very social life. The ‘peda‘ of Munabao is very famous and called as ‘Mithai of Border’. It is sad that such heritage is lost due to escalating tensions between the two nations. People who have travelled through here always cherish the old memories.

Permission Of BSF To Visit Border?

There is no need for permission to visit the Tanot Mata Temple. However, to visit the border you need to request a local BSF unit there one day in advance. You can take permission from the BSF office located in front of the Tanot Mata Temple. They will allow you to go to Border Point 609. 

You can take permission on the same day, but it is better to have it in advance to avoid any last-minute tension. The BSF give a pass. One pass per car/vehicle is given. You have to deposit your original Identity Proof. 

You can also take permission from Jaisalmer, Ramgarh or Barmer. You can take permission from the BSF Company Commander at Gadra as well.

Also, there is no limit on age. Kids are allowed to go.

Also, there is no need for permission to visit the Munabao Railway Station. 

 The place is quite deserted but it has been well maintained by the administration and Border Security Force. 

Munabao and 1965 Indo-Pak War

During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, the village came under the control of Pakistan. Later on, the village was taken back by India. Since then it has been under the surveillance of the Border Security Forces.

Munabao-Barmer Local Train Journey

The journey by this local train is an experience in itself and one must take it. Anyone who is not a resident of Munabao or the adjoining villages has to obtain permission from the local authorities. The total journey of about 118 km gets completed in a little over two hours.

There are no facilities at the Munabao railway station. Therefore, you have to get back by the same train. the train halts for about one hour before starting the return journey to Barmer. If you want to go outside the railway station, you would be confronted by security personnel.

Munabao station is an isolated deserted place offering nothing to visitors. The last civilian human settlement is at Jaisingder which is about 9 km from here. Another such settlement is at Gadra Road about 38 km away.  Just half a kilometre away is the actual border between India-Pakistan that is marked by a small gate. 

How To Reach

• By Road

  • You can take a personal vehicle or a rented vehicle from either Barmer or Jaisalmer.
  • The Jaisalmer route is preferable.

• By Rail

  • A direct train runs daily from Barmer to Munabao.

• By Air

  • Jaisalmer Airport which is about 140 km away.
  • But better connectivity via road or railway.

Best Time To Visit

• Since Rajasthan is known for its hotness.
• The best Season would be winter.

Nearby Places To Visit

• Longewala

  • Longewala was the battleground of the Indo-Pak war of 1971.
  • There is an open gallery or war memorial showcasing the history.

• Tanot Mata Temple

  • The temple is dedicated to Goddess Hinglaj Mata.
  • The temple was established in 847 AD.
  • The temple was constructed by Bhati Rajput King Tanu Rao who made Tanot as the capital of his kingdom.
  • BSF took over the temple’s responsibility in 1965 after the war.
  • The BSF has established a museum near the temple that tells the glory of this temple associated with the Indian Army. 
  • It is said that Pakistan dropped more than 3,000 bombs on the temple to destroy it in 1965. But miraculously none of the 3,000 bombs could touch the temple or the Indian soldiers!
  • Again in the War of 1971, only one company of the BSF repulsed the sudden attack of Pakistan. 

• Jaisalmer

  • Jaisalmer is known as the Golden City.
  • The Wood Fossil Park or Aakal is about 15 kilometres away from the city. 
  • Jaisalmer Fort which is also called Sonar Qila (Golden Fort). It is the only living fort where people reside.
  • Laser Water Show at Gadisar Lake is one of the first and largest Laser Water Show of India.
  • Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli of the 19th century.
  • Salim Singh Ki Haveli of the 18th century.
  • Patwon Ki Haveli is one of the largest and the most elaborately carved Havelis in Jaisalmer
  •  Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace) is a five-storeyed decorated by a pagoda-like Tazia tower.
  • Bada Bagh 
    
    • It is about 6 kilometres to the north of Jaisalmer.
    • It houses chhatris or royal cenotaphs of the Maharajas of Jaisalmer state, including that of Jai Singh II.

• Desert National Park

  • Sudasari DNP
  • The park is formed of undulating sand dunes, jagged rocks, dense salt lake bottoms and inter-medial areas.
  • Fauna species of black buck, chinkara and desert fox can be found here.
  • It is the only region supporting the highly endangered Great Indian Bustard, one of the world’s heaviest-flying birds.
  • In winter many varieties of migratory raptors such as Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon Vultures, the Eastern Imperial Eagle, and the Saker Falcon come here.

• Kuldhara

  • Kuldhara is an abandoned place as well as the haunted place of Jaisalmer.
  • It is located about 18 km from the city of Jaisalmer.
  • The folklore is that the Paliwal Brahmins lived here under the state of Jaisalmer.
  • But the evil eyes of Salim Singh, the prime minister of the state, fell on the daughter of the village head desiring to marry her by force.
  • He threatened the village with grave consequences. However, the Paliwal brahmins along with people from 85 villages left their homes and vanished within one night.
  • Before leaving, they put a curse on the place that no one will ever be able to settle in their village thereafter.
  • To this date, the village remains abandoned.
  • Locals say that at night they witnessed paranormal activities.

• Sun Temple at Devaka

  • It is 75 km away from Barmer.
  • It lies on the Sheo-Barmer road in a small village called Devaka.
  • There is another sun temple called Balark Sun Temple.

FAQs

• Munabao To Pakistan distance

  • Pakistan border lies 2-2.5 km from the Munabao Railway Station. It is the last stop in India. 

• Munabao to Barmer Train

  • A local passenger train runs daily from Barmer to Munabao in the morning. After a short halt of one hour, the train returns to Barmer.
     

• How far is the India-Pakistan border from Jaisalmer?

  • Pakistan border is about 2-2.5 km from Munabao.

• Can we visit Munabao?

  • There is no need for permission to visit the Munabao and Tanot Mata Temple. But you require BSF permission to go to Point 609 Border. You can take permission from Tanot Mata Temple, Barmer, Jaisalmer or the Gadra Road BSF Commander Station.

• What is the name of the international boundary line between India and Pakistan?

  • The boundary between India and Pakistan is called as the Radcliffe Line.

• Which is the last village of Rajasthan?

  • Munabao is the last village of Rajasthan, as well as India, 2-2.5 km, ahead starts Pakistan.

• What is the India-China border line called?

  • The eastern sector line is called the Mac-Mohan Line.

• Munabao to Lahore distance?

  • Lahore is about 755 km from Munabao. Earlier Thar Express used to run between them but it stands suspended now.

• Munabao to Karachi distance?

  • Karachi is 344 km away from Munabao.

• Munabao to Pakistan Train?

  • Thar Express used to run between Munabao entering Pakistan. But it has been suspended on 9 August 2019 due to escalating tensions between Indo-Pak after Pulwama attacks.

Editor’s Thought

Munabao compels one to ponder the divisions made by humans. Just half kilometers here and there divide two nations. It not only divides two nations but also two cultures, habitats, and people… You will start thinking about ifs and buts – what if this, what if that… Visiting Jaisalmer, Sam, and Longewala needs a little detour time of yours. 

Feel free to drop your suggestions and share your experiences if you visit this unique place.

Have a Safe Yatra…