Bara Bandai (Pashto: بره بانډۍ )
It is known for its natural beauty and lying in an area crossed by Alexander The Great during his invasion. The people of village Bara Bandai belong to subsection Naikpikhel of Yusufzai the biggest and largest tribe of Pashtun or Pakhtun tribes. The village contains a small series of mountains and a jungle, residential area starting from meadows of mountains to the
fields, a village market, vast land for crops, number of springs and canals, and a part of the Swat river. Famous mountains of village are Usmani Sar, Kafar Ghat and Najia. Etymology
The village was named by Yusufzai Pakhtuns after they evacuated the old Swatis from Swat, and means "upper meadow". The neighboring village on the left to Bara Bandai is known as Kuza Bandai which means lower meadow. The names were basically given by their greenery, comparing the distances of both villages from Mingora the main city of Swat, and by comparing their distances from the upper mountainous areas of Swat such as Kalam and Bahrain. The ancient names of these villages are not known as they are just mentioned by locations in old times books and scripts. Location
Bara Bandai is about 8 to 10 kilometers from Mingoara (the main city of Swat) and Saidu Sharif Capital of old swat state on the way from Mingora to Matta (2nd largest market area of swat) through main road called as "Matta road". It is on the left bank of river Swat and is important and large village of Nikpikhel Area (Nikpikhel area stretches in North to Godamanai bordering directory disstt, Ningolai in east, Dadahara and shamozai in West and on the left bank of river swat). In the west of village there is another village of Koza Bandai and in the east there is Ningolai village which is last village of Nikpikhel area. Bara Bandai is about 80 km from Kalam, the famous tourist spot of Pakistan. On the left side of village there is a series of mountains which are connected to some other villages and finally ends the region of Swat valley. And on the right side lies the river Swat and after that village of Sangota, Manglawar and Fizagat.Bara bandai comes under the PK-83 constituency of KPK assembly and NA-29 constituency of National assembly. The village has his own suzuki stand situated in the centre place market in Bara Bandai which made it easier to visit. POSTAL CODE
19201
Division
The village residential areas are divided into many subunits called as mohallahs or colonies. Some of the major sub units are:
• Kotky (border line with koza bandai)
• Sarkhana
• Mohalla Nasir Kail
• Bazar (main market area)
• Moragai
• Mohallah chapolo (related to chapolo maajid which names after the tribe lived there called as "chapolo
miagan")
• Mohallah Saidu bi (named after women lived there who was from saidu sharif and belongs to wali swat
family).
• Matra.
• Sarhad colony.
• Warsaky (border line with ningolai). Population
Total population of village Bara Bandai is estimated to be around 11 to 12 thousands all are Muslim community, having registered voters above 5 thousands, which makes it one of the largest villages in the Swat valley. There are number of sub-tribes (clans) of Yusufzais living in the village. Some of the names of the tribes are Shadokhel, Audal Khel, Bucha Khel etc. and some other occupational tribes. Education
The villages consist of 1 high, 3 govt boys’ primary schools and 1 middle govt school for girls along with a number of schools in private sector. Health
Bara Bandai has his own Basic Health Unit (BHU), many clinical laboratories and number of clinics in private sector but the village hasn't any high quality hospital which is the need of village. Climate
The weather of the village is very beautiful, very cold in the winter season and moderate during summer. Village have four seasons per year. Snowfall also occurs here in winter which intensifies its beauty. Crops & Fruits
The village climate made it favorable for many crops and fruits. During summer Rice are cropped along with peach and some other fruits. During winter onion plants and wheat are cropped.
