Goashan Polo Ground & Picnic Spot
A High-Altitude Hub for the 'Game of Kings': The Goashan Polo Ground is a large, flat, open field located in the scenic Goashan area of the Drass Valley. It is one of the highest-altitude polo grounds in the world and serves as a vital cultural and recreational hub for the local communities. The pri mary activity here is the traditional, high-energy sport of Ladakhi Polo, which differs significantly from the international format, played with smaller, local ponies and a unique set of rules. The ground is a focal point for major local sporting events, most notably the annual LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament, which sees teams from across Ladakh compete with immense enthusiasm. Beyond its sporting role, the surrounding area is often utilized as a popular local picnic and recreation spot, especially during the pleasant summer months. Its location, framed by the towering mountains and the wide-open expanse of the Drass Valley, offers a perfect blend of sporting action and tranquil natural beauty. The ground is a testament to the resilient spirit and rich cultural heritage of the people of Drass, who maintain this ancient Central Asian sport despite the extreme climatic challenges. Visitors can often catch an impromptu game during the summer or simply enjoy the expansive mountain views and the cool, crisp air of the valley.:
General information
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Ideal Duration:
1 - 2 Hours (for picnic/viewing) / 3 Hours+ (for event)Place Type:
Sports Ground / Cultural Hub / Picnic Spot:Entry Fees:
Tournament Entry: Attending the LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament is usually Free for all spectators, as it is a major government- and community-supported cultural event aimed at promoting the sport and local culture.
Ground Access: Access to the...Tournament Entry: Attending the LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament is usually Free for all spectators, as it is a major government- and community-supported cultural event aimed at promoting the sport and local culture.
Ground Access: Access to the ground for a picnic or simple viewing is completely Free at all times.
Picnic Costs: Any cost is related only to personal food and transport to the ground.
Parking: Parking is usually informal and Free on the side of the approach road or adjacent fields.
Donations: During tournaments, voluntary donations may be collected for the development of the sport or the players' welfare, but this is optional. The emphasis is on community access and promotion of the cultural sport.
Guide/Organized Tour: You will need to hire a local taxi or jeep to get there, but no guide is required for a visit. :Timing:
Daylight Access: The ground is an open field, technically accessible 24 hours, but it is recommended to visit during daylight hours for safety and enjoyment.
Ideal Visit Time: The best time is the Afternoon (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM) when local yo...Daylight Access: The ground is an open field, technically accessible 24 hours, but it is recommended to visit during daylight hours for safety and enjoyment.
Ideal Visit Time: The best time is the Afternoon (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM) when local youth are often present for practice, or during the specific schedule of the LG Cup event (late August/September). The early morning is too cold for prolonged outdoor activity.
Event Timings: Tournament matches usually start around 11:00 AM and run until late afternoon (4:00 PM). Always check the local schedule for official events.
Best Picnic Time: Mid-day (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM) on a sunny summer day for a family picnic. :Special Events:
LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament: The main annual event, typically held in late August or September, featuring teams from all over Ladakh and often women's teams as well, with official ceremonies and cultural shows.
Kargil Vijay Diwas Celebrations:<...LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament: The main annual event, typically held in late August or September, featuring teams from all over Ladakh and often women's teams as well, with official ceremonies and cultural shows.
Kargil Vijay Diwas Celebrations: The ground is sometimes used for a public fair or cultural events related to the Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26, complementing the ceremonies at the nearby memorial.
Local Eid or New Year Gatherings: The large, open field may host local community gatherings or celebrations for major religious festivals like Eid or the local New Year, involving music and traditional dance.
Local Archery Finals: Periodically, the final matches of local traditional archery tournaments are held here, drawing a dedicated local crowd and spectators. :Best Photo Spots:
Polo Action Up Close: Dynamic shots of the polo ponies and riders mid-action, capturing the speed and intensity of the game.
Mountain Backdrop Contrast: The wide, open field with the bright-colored players and flags contrasted against the mu...Polo Action Up Close: Dynamic shots of the polo ponies and riders mid-action, capturing the speed and intensity of the game.
Mountain Backdrop Contrast: The wide, open field with the bright-colored players and flags contrasted against the muted, high peaks of the surrounding mountains.
The Spectator Crowd: Capturing the enthusiastic, traditionally dressed local spectators and their reactions to the match for an authentic cultural photo.
Pony Portraits: Close-up, respectful portraits of the hardy Ladakhi ponies before or after a match.
Sunset on the Meadow: The expansive field bathed in the warm, golden light of the setting sun, with long, dramatic shadows and the mountains fading into the background. :Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Watching a Polo Match: Attend a traditional Ladakhi Horse Polo match, absorbing the energy, speed, and unique rules of the 'Game of Kings'.
Enjoying a Picnic: Pack a lunch and spend a couple of hours relaxing and eating at the edge of the ground or in the surrounding scenic meadows.
Spectating the LG Cup: If your visit aligns with the LG Cup Tournament (August/September), dedicate a day to spectating the grand event and the cultural performances.
Photography of Action: Capture the high-speed action of the polo match, focusing on the interplay between the rider and the pony, and the players' intense focus.
Local Cultural Observation: Observe the local spectators and the traditional attire and music that accompanies the games, offe...
Information
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Why Famous:
High-Altitude Polo: It is famous as one of the highest and most important grounds for traditional Ladakhi Polo, a fast and wild version of the sport known locally as Pulu.
The LG Cup Tournament: The annual LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament is a m...High-Altitude Polo: It is famous as one of the highest and most important grounds for traditional Ladakhi Polo, a fast and wild version of the sport known locally as Pulu.
The LG Cup Tournament: The annual LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament is a major event, drawing teams and spectators from the entire Ladakh region, cementing its status as a major sporting venue.
Cultural Center: It serves as a vital center for the preservation of the indigenous Balti and Puruig culture, where traditional music often accompanies the polo matches.
Scenic Picnic Spot: Its wide, open setting amidst the dramatic mountain range of the Drass Valley makes it a highly favored local spot for family picnics and recreational activities, especially during summer weekends. : -
Architecture:
Simple, Utilitarian Field Design: The ground's architecture is primarily functional, designed for the traditional sport of Ladakhi Polo.
Field Dimensions: The polo field is a large, level rectangular area, typically measuring approximately 1...Simple, Utilitarian Field Design: The ground's architecture is primarily functional, designed for the traditional sport of Ladakhi Polo.
Field Dimensions: The polo field is a large, level rectangular area, typically measuring approximately 180-200 meters in length and 60-80 meters in width, demarcated simply by boundary lines or low, earthen berms. The surface is natural turf, often uneven due to the harsh high-altitude climate.
Basic Spectator Structures: The infrastructure is minimal, consisting mostly of simple, temporary spectator seating—often raised earthen or rock platforms—with one or two small, permanent viewing stands or VIP structures made of simple concrete and stone, approximately 10 meters long and 3 meters high, mainly used for official ceremonies during tournaments.
Picnic Area: The surrounding areas are natural meadows, with no formal architecture, only scattered trees and natural rock formations that serve as informal picnic spots. The design philosophy emphasizes the sporting function and allows the natural mountain backdrop to be the main visual feature, contrasting the vibrant polo action against the subdued colors of the mountains. : -
How To Reach:
By Air: Fly to Srinagar (SXR) or Leh (IXL) and then take a hired taxi to Drass.
By Train: Not practical; the nearest main station is Jammu Tawi (JAT).
By Road: Reach Drass via the Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH 1... -
Near Tourist Places:
Drass War Memorial (3 KM), Stagsboo Rock Carvings (4 KM), Drass Town Market (2 KM), Ningoor Masjid (8 KM), Draupadi Kund (20 KM), Tiger Hill Viewpoint (12 KM), Mushkoh Valley Entrance (15 KM), Kargil Town (62 KM), Minamarg (32 KM), Umba La Approach (15 KM)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety (Altitude) The elevation is high; acclimatization is necessary. Dress warmly, as the wind chill on the open ground can be severe.
Packing Essentials: Carry a picnic blanket, sun protection, a water bottle, and a windproof jacket. Binoculars are ex...
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