ISLAMABAD: The colorful stalls showcasing vibrant cultural products of Chitral during the yearly Shandur Polo Festival in Chitral Valley continue to attract large visitors, including locals and tourists from abroad.
Visitors showed interest in the diverse traditions, fine handicrafts, and rich culture displayed at Mela 2023. According to a report carried by the PTV, the captivating week-long Shandur polo festival tour offers travelers a unique chance to discover the far-flung and scenic villages, take part in a distinctive polo festival in Shandur, and enjoy an authentic travel experience of Northern Pakistan.
According to a local, the Shandur polo festival is one of the oldest and wildest on earth. The historic event has been held at the Shandur polo venue since 1936. According to a domestic traveler, the Polo Festival Shandur has recently drawn tourists and visitors worldwide. According to a district administration official, the polo festival is an exceptional historical sport played between teams from Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan at Shandur, Upper Chitral, the highest polo pitch in the world.
He stated that the festival had been jointly organized by the district government, the Pakistan Army, the Frontier Corps, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA). Commissioner Malakand also praised the efforts made by the KPCTA, Gilgit Baltistan, and Chitral district governments in organizing leisure activities during this vibrant event. He said that to assist tourists, tourism police and guides have been sent out, and sufficient lodging facilities have been made available.
Tourists from different cities also commended the festival’s array of colorful activities, which included traditional dances, paragliding, and food stalls. —APP
