Ladakh, the highest altitude plateau in India situated in the State of Jammu and Kashmir covering an area of 86,904 sq. km at the height ranging from 9000 ft to more. This extreme topography makes it sparsely populated region. It is the northern most region of the country, constituting parts of Himalaya, Karakorum mountain range and the upper Indus River valley. It is divided into two districts that fall under Kashmir, Kargil and Leh. These two are also the largest towns of the region. The history, culture, traditions and the geography of the region is strikingly different than rest of the country. People living here are predominantly Buddhist and Muslims.
The word Ladakh literally means Land of High Passes “la” meaning Pass and “Dakh” meaning many routes that lead you to other mountain ranges or valleys. It is also called the Moon-Land and The Cold Desert because of its barren topography with temperature reaching -30 to -50 degrees in winters. However, in summers the temperature remains pleasant reaching not more than 30 degrees.
Ladakh Polo Festival will be held from 11 July to 17 July every year at Shagaran Chushot, Leh, Ladakh. During this week long festival one can enjoy Traditional Polo Tournament participated by team from all over Ladakh, Cultural Programs, traditional Ladakh Cuisine, Archery competation and many other activites.
We Indus Chushot Polo Club are the organisers and host of this festival.
Our club was officially registered in 2013 under the Societies Registration Act VI of 1998 (1941 A.D) No. 6528-S of 2013. We are a non-profiteering organisation with no political affiliations. The members of our club are of age group 18 years above, and many players are army veterans.
Our club was formed with an aim to preserve and promote the heritage game Polo. We realised that this is only possible if we involve the youths of our communities in our club. While working in this regard, we hope the club will grow in the coming years and then will be able to fulfill our short term goals of giving professional horse riding and polo games classes to the interested youngsters.
In the last three years we have participated in many regional exhibition matches and competitions. We had also organised Polo games in the following famous annual events of Ladakh.
1) Polo Exhibition Match of Sindu Festival, 2021
2) Polo Exhibition Match of Ladakh Festival, 2021
This year we have taken an initiative of hosting and organising Ladakh Polo festival for the first time in our own village. We hope with our intention of preserving our heritage we are able to inspire many to join us in our endeavor and bring in the benefit of sustainable tourism in our village Chushot.
Date – 11 July to 17 July 2021
Attraction
Polo Tournament participated by Polo teams from all over Ladakh i.e Turtuk, Drass, Bodhkharpu, Army and Chushot Teams, Cultural Program, Horse Race, Chushot Apo Api, Competition in which they take Khatak from Ground, Handicraft and Traditional Ladakhi Food, Programs by Balti Community and we are planing to add more activities. So in a way it will not only be the polo tournament but a Festival like Ladakh Festival.
| Date | Time | Events |
|---|---|---|
| 11 July 2016 |
11:00 am to 12:00 pm 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
11:00 am to 12:00 pm |
Cultural road show / carnival Inauguration of Ladakh Polo festival • Cultural show Cultural road show / carnival |
| 12th July 2016 |
11:00 am to 2:00 pm 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
Archery Lunch Cultural programs |
| 13th July 2016 |
11:00 am to 2:00 pm 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
Archery Lunch Cultural programs |
| 14th July 2016 |
11:00 am to 2:00 pm 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
Archery Lunch Cultural programs |
| 15th July 2016 |
11:00 am to 2:00 pm 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
Archery Lunch Cultural programs |
| 16th July 2016 |
11:00 am to 2:00 pm 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
Archery Lunch Cultural programs |
| 17th July 2016 |
11:00 AM to 2:00 pm 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
Archery Lunch Polo Finals |
