The world’s highest polo ground is situated in a small village in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan called “Shandur“. Which is 3800 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level. It is very difficult to play here due to the low level of oxygen. The players must be physically strong enough and have a lot of stamina to play at Shandur top.
It is often known as the “Roof of the World”. The ground relishes the shade of the Hindukash Mountain Range. The exquisite location of the polo ground makes it an appealing destination for adventure lovers and polo enthusiasts. Shandur Polo Ground is naturally classified to be a polo ground. Tiny hills are on the four sides of the ground, where viewers can sit and relish the match. The captivating landscape and the beautiful view of Shandur Lake make it even more stunning.
Polo is the most popular game in the Gilgit-Baltistan territory of Pakistan. When moving from Gilgit to Shandur people can catch a glimpse of the charming valleys of Gahkuch, Gupis, Phandar, and numerous beautiful lakes. When arriving from Chitral to Shandur folks can witness the beauty of the Surlasp and Mastuj valleys.
R E A D M O R E
Pakistan, The Land of Pure people
The History of Shandur Polo Ground:
This ground was established by a price of Balti for conventional polo games which have been held every year. In 1936, the Political Representative of the territory (Colonel Evelyn Hey Cobb) conveyed an order to Khwaja Mir Aman Shah Asaqal and Niat Qabool Hayat Kakakhail, the Nambardar of Chitral to construct an immense polo ground in Shandur.
Kakakhail enforced the commands of higher headquarters quickly and with the support of his workforce, he inaugurated the highest polo ground at Shandur. The British rulers were overwhelmed by the impressive construction results of the people of Koh-e-Ghizer and offered “Niat Qabool Hayat” as a prize. Instead of receiving it for personal benefit, he used it for the betterment of his people and requested that British representatives store local streams with trout.
As an outcome of it, an extensive number of trout were supplied to the streams of Koh-e-Chitral. Historically, Polo was supposed to be the king of games. It was played between small kingdoms, villages, and competitor groups of Chitral and Gilgit.
Shandur Polo Festival:
The formation of the polo ground at Shandur celebrated the origin of the annual Shandur Polo Festival which is held every year from the 7th to the 9th of July at Shandur top.
The stunning polo ground of Shandur transforms into a city of tents during the festival. The three-day Shandur Polo Festival has grown into a large festival of mountain Polo over the years. All the matches have been organized by the administration of Chitral, levies, scouts of Chitral, and police since 1982. Gilgit-Baltistan participant teams are known as guest teams.
The polo tournament being played at Shandur Polo Ground is supposed to be the purest form of all. It is referred to as freestyle polo. The festival features a game between the squads of Chitral and Gilgit, which is an exciting and stirring event for both the players and viewers. The tournament is played on a natural grass meadow, which sums up the unique and eye-captivating atmosphere of the festival(Shandur World’s Highest Polo Ground).
The only rule of the game is …..There are No Rules. The Shandur Polo Festival is a multi-day tournament between regional teams that attract visitors to catch sight of the game and displays of traditional dance, folk music, and celebration. Here you can find the world’s best polo players.
Tourist Attraction:
A large number of tourists and adventure seekers from different provinces of the country mainly from Skardu, Chitral, and Hunza reach to enjoy this incredible event. The match is always wonderful because top players from Gilgit and Chitral participate in it. The celebration draws the attention of thousands of tourists from all over Pakistan, and some from abroad as well to enjoy the breathtaking views of the valley along with exciting matches and enjoy the local culture, traditions, and hospitality. The administrators and political leaders of Chitral also enjoyed playing Polo in Shandur.
Now some other activities like traditional dance, folk music, and paragliding are also held along with Polo, making it an even more enjoyable and remarkable occasion for tourists.
Conclusion:
Polo is not just a game but a celebration of formal and traditional sports in the province. This game was played in the territory for centuries and was witnessed as a path to spread unity and goodwill among the local neighborhoods(Shandur World’s Highest Polo Ground).
Despite the challenging high altitude and extremely harsh weather situations, skilled players from approximately all around the world come to Shandur to examine their skills on the rough landscape.
Today, the Shandur Polo ground serves as evidence of the sustaining popularity and cultural importance of this thrilling sport in the territory.
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Shandur that we would like to address.
Where is the world’s highest polo ground located?
Shandur Top, also known as “Top of the World,” is the highest polo field in the world. It is situated in Chitral, Pakistan, and is 12,200 feet above sea level. People travel from all over the world to see this game.
When does the Shandur polo festival 2023 will start?
Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral are best explored during the summer and fall seasons. GB and KPK provincial administrations always decide on the dates of the Shandur polo festival. These typically take place throughout the month of July, on an annual basis. It will be held from 7th to 9th July in Shandur Polo Ground.
What is the most exciting feature of the Shandur Polo Festival?
The competition is hosted at Shandur Top, which at 3,700 meters is the highest polo field in the world (the pass itself is at 3,800 meters). Folk music and dancing are featured throughout the event, and there is a sizable camping community of polo players, fans, and explorers present throughout the competition.
Credits: All images used in this blog including the Featured image are taken from Amer Raja‘s Flickr account.
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Khushboo Zubair
This is Khushboo, A passionate writer who loves to create engaging and compelling content. I'm constantly seeking new ways to use my writing to make a difference.As a writer, I have always been drawn to the power of the written word.