Has the game of polo played on horseback ever fascinated you? If yes, then the Imphal Polo Ground in Imphal is a ‘must visit’ for you. If you are from India, you will be amazed to know that the modern game of polo that is now played around the world originated in Manipur. And the Imphal Polo Ground is the ‘world’s oldest living polo ground’.
Polo originated in Manipur as “Sagol Kangjei” that was played by the Manipuris on horseback. When the British visited the Northeast, they were drawn to the game and soon started participating in it. They were quick to learn the game and soon, it reached their kith and kin in England. Soon after that, polo became popular worldwide.
So, if you are visiting Manipur, make sure you take a tour of the world’s oldest living polo ground. It is located right in the heart of the city near other attractions like the Ima Keithel Market and the Kangla Fort.
If you are lucky enough or if you arrange your tour accordingly, you can watch a game of polo in the ground and admire the skill of the Manipuri polo players as they gracefully play the game they invented.
Another attraction of Manipuri polo is the polo pony. It is the original breed of pony that was used for centuries to play the game. Today, it is a highly threatened breed and needs global attention. The breed is as old as the game and needs to be saved to save the soul of the game. It has a steadily declining population that must be revived fast.
1. Manipur tour-part 1-Kangla Palace
https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-1-visit-to-historic.html
2. Manipur tour-part 2-Shree Govindajee Temple
https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-2-visit-to-shree.html
3. Manipur tour-part 3-Sadu Chiru Waterfall
https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-3-visit-to-sadu-chiru.html
4. Manipur tour-part 4-Keibul Lamjao National Park, World's Only Floating National Park
5. Manipur tour-part 5-Remembering Netaji And Azad Hind Fauz In Manipur
6. Manipur Tour Part 6: The Loktak Lake, A True Marvel Of Manipur
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