Qaqlasht Meadows
Qaqlasht Meadows | |
|---|---|
 A view of Qaqlasht meadows photographed c. 2016 | |
  Qaqlasht Meadows Location in Pakistan  Qaqlasht Meadows Qaqlasht Meadows (Pakistan) | |
| Coordinates: 36°17′09″N 72°14′01″E / 36.2858°N 72.2337°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| District | Upper Chitral District |
| Elevation | 2,500 m (8,200 ft) |
Qaqlasht, also spelt Qaq Lasht (Khowar: قاقلشت; lit. 'Dry Plain') is an alpine meadow located near Buni in the Upper Chitral District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The meadows are situated at an altitude of around 2,500 metres (8,200 ft).[1][2]
Festival
[edit]The four-day spring festival "Jashan-e-Qaqlasht" is held at the meadows annually. The history of festival celebrations dates back to 2,000 years ago.[3] The festival, a major part of the Kho culture, was revived in 2003 after nearly 35 years, although it was put into a five-year hiatus in 2019–2024. The sport competitions include polo, archery, paragliding, cricket, football, hockey, skeet shooting and marathon race.[4][5][6] Qaqlasht also hosts a winter sports festival from January 2–5, featuring winter camping, skiing and mountaineering training.[7]
Gallery
[edit]-
A view of a cricket match in the meadows. -
Qaqlasht meadows during a sunny day. -
Qaqlasht meadows under clouds. -
Traversing paths in the meadows.
References
[edit]- ^ Jamal, Sana (April 14, 2018). "Culture festival kicks off in Chitral at 2,500m high". Gulf News.
- ^ Nasir, Fateh-ul-Mulk Ali (April 16, 2021). "Qaghlasht in Spring". The Friday Times.
- ^ "Festivals". upperchitral.kp.gov.pk. Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Sheikh, Irfan (April 16, 2018). "Jashan-e-Qaqlasht festival concludes amid fanfare". The Express Tribune.
- ^ "Tourists, locals enjoy traditional sports, music in Qaqlasht Festival". Associated Press of Pakistan. May 4, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Baig, Shah Murad (April 8, 2024). "Qaqlasht festival to kick off from 18th after 5-year hiatus". The News International.
- ^ Mubashir, Mubashir Ali (January 10, 2020). "Snow sports festival of Chitral and Hunza". Daily Times.
