Jidir Plain, Protected area in Shusha District, Azerbaijan
Jidir Plain is a protected area in the southern part of Shusha, in Azerbaijan's Shusha District, sitting on a high plateau that overlooks the Dashalty Gorge. A path from the plain leads to Girkh Pillakan, meaning the forty steps, a carved stairway that descends into the gorge toward the river below.
During the Karabakh Khanate period, the plain was used by Ibrahim Khalil Khan for horse races held twice a year, drawing riders from across the region. Over time, these gatherings helped establish the site as a place of shared memory for the people of Shusha.
The plain has long been a gathering place for the people of Shusha and is still used for celebrations today. During Novruz, the traditional spring festival, people from across the region come together on the open field to mark the occasion.
The plain sits at the southern edge of Shusha and can be reached on foot from the town center. Spring through autumn are the most comfortable seasons to visit, as the elevation makes it windy and cool even in summer.
During the Baharbandi competitions once held here, riders had to hang from their horses at full gallop to pick up hats, rifles, and daggers from the ground. This technique took years to develop and was seen as the highest form of traditional horsemanship in the region.
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