Saturday, April 18, 2009

Shandur Polo Festival


Shandur invites visitors to experience a traditional polo tournament which since 1936 has been held annually[1] in July between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit. The tournament is held on Shandur Pass, the highest polo ground in the world at 3,700 meters (the pass itself is at 3,800m). The festival also includes Folk music, dancing and a camping village is set up. The polo tournament is featured in the first episode of Himalaya with Michael Palin.
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 would be spent on supporting the game[2]

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