Shandur Polo Festival Explained in Detail
The When, Where, What and How of the Shandur Polo Festival
As a native of Gilgit Baltistan, the Shandur Polo Festival holds a special place in my heart for reasons aplenty. I have seen this event grow from a small-scale local sports event to one of the greatest sports festivals in the area since I was a young child. There are whispers of excitement resonating across the valleys and mountain passes months in advance of the event. Every year, as the festival’s date approaches, anticipation grows until it reaches a fever pitch, resulting in an exhilarating mix of polo matches, cultural exhibits, and joyous festivities. From its humble beginnings, this event has developed into a spectacle that draws tourists from all around the nation and abroad. The festival’s appeal has grown dramatically in recent years, attracting attention for both its lively cultural scene and its exciting polo matches. The Shandur Polo Festival, in my opinion, is more than just a competition; it’s a symbol of the tenacity and energy of the Gilgit Baltistan people. It’s a time to unite, honor our history, and appreciate the splendor of our country. Its magic only gets greater with every year that goes by, as someone who has witnessed it change over the years can attest to.
When Does the Shandur Polo Festival Take Place?
The Shandur Polo Festival usually takes place from the 7th to the 9th of July every year. The summer months, when the local climate is most suited for outdoor activities, are precisely when this date was selected. A must-see for both locals and visitors, the festival’s calendar is jam-packed with thrilling polo matches, cultural events, and traditional celebrations. The festival is scheduled months in advance, and calendars are filled with the days well in advance. Teams from Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral prepare for fierce competition, while tourists from all over the world plan to see the show in person. A palpable sense of excitement permeates the air as the Shandur Polo Festival approaches.
Where is Shandur Polo Ground Located?
Perched almost 3,700 meters above sea level, the Shandur Polo Ground is located in the scenic Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. This area is renowned for its untamed landscape, glistening lakes, and snow-capped peaks, making it a haven for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. The Shandur Polo Ground is a vast plateau encircled by majestic mountains that provides an amazing view of the surroundings. The name “Roof of the World” is often used to describe it because of its high altitude and unmatched beauty. Reachable solely in the summer, when the snow melts and the roads are pliable, Shandur turns into a center of activity during the celebration, drawing guests from all directions.
Why is the Shandur Polo Festival So Popular?
A number of things have contributed to the Shandur Polo Festival’s growing popularity and made it a genuinely exceptional and unforgettable event. First of all, the event is set against a breathtaking background at the Shandur Polo Ground, which is in the lap of humungous mountains. Photographers, adventurers, and nature enthusiasts from all over are drawn to the festival by its stunning backdrop, which features rolling hills and snow-capped peaks.
In addition, the festival has a rich history and tradition. Shandur has been the site of centuries-long polo matches, and the festival itself dates back to its founding in the 1930s as a way to encourage travel to the area and to foster unity among the bordering villagers by the British. It has become into a significant cultural occasion throughout time, attracting attendees and participants from all over Pakistan and beyond. In addition, the event acts as a venue for advancing tourism and cultivating amity between Pakistan’s many communities. People from many areas and backgrounds come together as a result, strengthening the nation’s sense of identity and pride in its rich cultural legacy. In general, the Shandur Polo Festival’s reputation can be ascribed to its breathtaking setting, extensive history, distinctive style of polo, cultural programs, and its function in advancing travel and cross-cultural interaction.
What Makes Free Style Polo Unique & What are the Rules of the Game?
The Shandur Polo Festival is known for its distinctive kind of free style polo, which distinguishes the game from traditional polo. Because there are no set rules, the game is played in an open space where players have a free hand to showcase more exciting gameplay, and in doing so it gets extremely competitive as well. Teams play free style polo by dodging every other obstacle put in their way by the opposition and with a counteractive strategy and gameplay. Players must rely on their horsemanship and strategic skills to manage the ball and outmaneuver their opponents because there are no clearly defined regulations.
Free style polo is distinct in that it places a strong focus on collaboration and communication. Players must always interact with one another because there are no set limits, making it difficult for them to coordinate moves and keep the ball. Due to its high skill and coordination requirements, free style polo is a fascinating and hard sport to play. All in all, the Shandur Polo Festival’s free style polo is an exhilarating and distinctive show that highlights the athletes’ agility, talent, and camaraderie.
How Can I Get to Shandur?
For those who are willing to set on this journey, reaching Shandur can be an adventure in and of itself. The capital of Gilgit-Baltistan, Gilgit, is the most popular route to Shandur. Road travel from Gilgit to the village of Gupis, where the road to Shandur starts, is an option for tourists. This is a metaled and carpeted road good for all kinds of vehicles till you reach Phander, Teru. Here onwards the road gets bumpier and steeper, necessitating one to have a sturdier means of conveyance just to avoid any inconvenience, perhaps a four-wheeler jeep. But the trip is made even more memorable by the amazing landscape along the way, which features lush valleys, high peaks and streams with trout abound.
Special vehicles can be managed from Phander and Teru to Shandur during the festival’s summer months. From these villages, it usually takes around four to five hours to get to Shandur Polo Ground, but the breathtaking scenery and sense of excitement make the time fly quickly. However, the good news is that a new expressway is being built and the journey is going to get smoother and easier in the years to come.
Another option for those looking for a more daring path is to travel from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa side. One may take the route through Chitral Valley all the way to Shandur, however, the route on that side is comparatively more challenging and rougher. Lastly, although reaching Shandur could involve some work, the adventure is priceless. Traveling to the Shandur Polo Festival is an unmatched thrill that offers life-changing encounters and memories.
Wrap Up
To sum it up, Shandur Polo Festival stands as a symbol of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral’s rich cultural heritage and love for the sport of polo. It is an event that both locals and visitors should not miss because of its breathtaking setting, distinctive brand of free-style polo, and lively atmosphere.
I, having seen it grow, can attest to its enduring enchantment and the sense of pride it instills in our communities having watched it change throughout the years. The festival is a must-attend event for anybody looking to immerse themselves in the colorful culture and spirit of Gilgit Baltistan, as seen by the year-long anticipation and increasing popularity of the event.
Should you require additional information or any kind of assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me; I would be delighted to help you on your journey. Just hit me up!
