Home > History & Culture > Pakistan Culture > Shandur Polo Festival
 Passion for Polo will be the highest on the world's highest Polo ground. Every year, Shandur (3,700 meters) invites visitors to experience a traditional polo tournament between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit from 7th to 9th July. The festival also includes folk music, folk dance, traditional sports and a camping village is be set up on the Pass.
Polo is an equestrian sport with its origin embedded in Central Asia dating back to 6tt century BC. At first it was a training game for cavalry units for the King's guards or other elite troops. To the warlike tribesmen who played polo with as many as 100 players to a side, it was a miniature battle. It became a Persian national game in the 6th Century AD. From Persia, the game spread to Arabia, then to Tibet, China and Japan.
In China in the year 910, death of a favourite relative in, a game prompted Emperor Apao-Chi to order beheading of all players!
Polo was introduced in South Asia, by the Muslim conquerors in the 13th century. English word 'Polo" is in fact a Balti word meaning, "ball". In ancient times, there was no limit to the number of players and no time limit. Whichever team scqred nine goals first,became the winner. Today, there are six players to each side, but this is by no means a rule in local polo games. The game lasts for one hour with a ten-minute break.
Gilgit, Chitral and Skardu have always played the game of polo closest to its original form. In the past, local Rajas, Mirs and Mehtars were the patrons of the game. At times, more than 50% of the annual budget of their principalities was spent on supporting the game.
 The first time a polo tournament took place at the Sfiandur Pass, was in 1936..A British Political Agent, Major Cobb, who was fond of playing polo under a full moon,had the polo ground near Shandur, named, "Moony Polo Ground". The polo ground at Shandur Pass is smaller in width and breadth than the conventional field, being 60yd wide and 220yd long. Also alien to a modern western player would be the 2ft high stone wall which surrounds the ground.
In ice hockey, such a wall could prove advantageous - in polo, it could lead to serious injuries in the event of a fall.The most exciting polo tournament of the entire Northern Pakistan is played on top of; Shandur Pass 3,734 meters high above sea level. It is a place unique and exotic in itself, surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. The event marks the annual rivalry between the polo teams of Gilgit and Chitral.
 This year, the Polo tournament has some added attractions for the visitors; Tug of war on . horses, Tampooq Bazi, individual scoring competitions on horses, carrying buckets of water through horses, musical chair on horses, Donkey Polo (Ghizer vs Laspur and Chitral vs Ghizer), Rafting Competition, Buzkashi, Paragliding Show, Camp Fire, handicraft exhibition, trout fishing at the nearby streams and lakes and a festival of folk dances, cultural shows and music of the Northern Pakistan.
The event, as such, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the people of this region. Their culture and indigenous customs are a delight to behold for the visitors. It is advisable to be there one day in advance to enjoy all the festivals of the tournament.
The Shandur Pass lies almost midway between Chitral and Gilgit on a jeep road, travelling on wnich, is adventurous, to say the least. One can get to Chitral or Gilgit by Pakistan International's daily flights from Peshawar and Islamabad respectively. There are daily two flights from both destinations, subject to good weather. Visitors planning to go by air must expect adjustment of 1-2 days in their itineraries just in case the weather does not permit flights to operate.
Access to Chitral by road is either from peshawar or from Islamabad. Both these routes join up in lower Swat valley near Chakdara, from where you proceed via Dir over 3,118 meters high Lowari Pass and on to Chitral. It will take about 11 hours for a direct ride, otherwise, a stopover in Dir is recommended. From Dir, you shift to 4x4 jeeps for your onward journey to Chitral and on to Shandur. From Chitral side, travellers jcan also enjoy overnight stay at Mastujwhereas from Gilgit side, Gupis and Phandar I are suitable places for an overnight halt. While travelling by road from Islamabad, Cilong the Karakoram Highway (the Silk Route), visitors may like to spend the night by the side of the mighty Indus, at Besham.
A tourist tent village with restaurant facilities is sprung up at Shandur Pass during the Festival. Merchants from Peshawar, Chitral and Gilgit set up souvenir and folk craft shops.For visitors to Shandur, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has set up its motels with all facilities like, attached toileUbathroom, hoUcold water, restaurant etc, at Panah Kot(Dir), Chitral, Bamburet (Kalash Valley), Mastuj, Phandar, Gupis, Besham(KKH),Barseen (KKH) and Gilgit. There are many private hotels, Govt. Rest Houses and Inns as well. |
