While the growing tension between India and Pakistan has badly affected tourism in Kashmir, there is no impact on tourism in Himachal where tourists are thronging to see snow and hoteliers are claiming to have observed satisfactory business in winters after many years. Despite lean season and advisory for avalanches and landslides, tourists are visiting Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie. The state is witnessing frequent spells of snowfall. Tourists don’t want to lose their chance to see fresh snowfall. The major roads in state were reopened shortly after heavy snowfall. There were reports of tourists stranding in Spiti valley but roads to other destinations remained mostly open which encouraged tourists to experience the winters of Himachal. “I have seen such a tourist crowd in January and February after many years. Not only I but all did good business here,” a tourist photographer Lal Chand said. “Bahang, Nehru Kund and Solang, you will see a large number of tourists enjoying with snow. We used to stay home for many days in winters when we had no work. Tourists are making a beeline to Manali even during heavy snowfall.” Manali Hoteliers Association president Anup Ram Thakur said Mother Nature is blessing Manali with good amount of snow which is attracting tourists to this town. “Over 50 per cent tourists visiting Manali got chance to see fresh snowfall January and February. All the hotels are giving special discounts to the tourists. This is lean tourist season and hotels are not fully occupied but still doing good business. If our roads were good and we had good air connectivity, more tourists would have visited the town. We appreciate steps taken by Kashmiri hoteliers to help the stranded tourists,” he said. Shimla hoteliers are also doing well, especially in weekends. A hotelier Rajesh Kumar said,
While the growing tension between India and Pakistan has badly affected tourism in Kashmir, there is no impact on tourism in Himachal where tourists are thronging to see snow and hoteliers are claiming to have observed satisfactory business in winters after many years. Despite lean season and advisory for avalanches and landslides, tourists are visiting
MANALI: As the slopes of Solang have been receiving good snow, Manali is all set to host the National Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Championships from February 2. The championships were postponed due to no snowfall in January. As many as 11 national teams and many skiing clubs from Himachal are taking part in the competitions. The organizers have received some individual entries as well. The championships were earlier being organized along with national winter carnival of Manali from January 2 to 6. As the slopes had inadequate snow, the races were postponed. Lack of snowfall had forced organizers to cancel the event last year as well. Solang slopes are still covered with over 60cm of snow and more snow is expected to fall in coming week. After being assured of availability of enough snow between February 2 and 6, the organizers have given nod to the tournament. Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) are organizing the event under the guidelines of Indian Olympics Association (IOA). Purpose of the championships is to provide athletes with a national platform and promote winter tourism in Manali. ABVIMAS joint director Ashwani Kumar said a total of five competitions — both in men and women categories — will commence in the championships. “Slalom, joint slalom, ski cross, snowboarding slalom and snowboard cross races will be held. Besides trophy and certificates, cash prize of Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 would be awarded to the top three winners in each category. Minimum age of the participant should be 16-year. The ski kit should be at par with international standards. Preparations are being done on war footings,” he said. HPWGA president Roopu Negi said the championships will commence according to IOA technical guidelines. “IOA will appoint technical delegate and observers.
MANALI: As the slopes of Solang have been receiving good snow, Manali is all set to host the National Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Championships from February 2. The championships were postponed due to no snowfall in January. As many as 11 national teams and many skiing clubs from Himachal are taking part in the competitions.
MANALI: Many parts of Himachal including Manali, Shimla and Dalhousie woke up to a thick layer of snow on Sunday, bringing cheers to tourists, hoteliers and local residents. This snowfall came as a blessing for fruit growers on the occasion of Lohri. Kothi and Solang near Manali have received over 45cm of more snow while Manali town received 23cm fresh snow. Dalhousie received 30cm snow and state capital Shimla received 3cm snow. Bharmuar, Keylong and Kalpa received 15, 9 and 8cm snow respectively. Rohtang pass is witnessing snowfall since Friday. Each snowflake falling on Rohtang pass is adding to the thickness. Total snow accumulation at Rohtang has reached over 450cm. After snowfall, weather turned clear on Sunday morning and residents basked in the sun. But, later in afternoon black clouds were again hovering over the sky and some parts of state including Manali again saw some snowflakes. Fresh cold waves are active in the state. The day temperature has been very low. Dozens of roads in Shimla, Kullu, Chamba and Lahaul are either blocked or partially blocked after the snowfall. Some places had no power supply. The Manali town and surrounding areas had no electricity till afternoon. Tourists had fun in snow in Manali, Shimla and Dalhousie. Taking safety measures, tourists were not being allowed to go beyond Bahang in Manali. Hoteliers are extremely happy that snowfall will bring them more business in coming days. Himachal had not received good snowfall last year which had adversely affected tourism and fruit crops. Compared to last season, the hill state is getting good snowfall. Meanwhile, Keylong sub-divisional magistrate Amar Negi said north portal of Rohtang tunnel in Lahaul has been closed for all kind of traffic movement. “As per information received from Border Roads Organization, the tunnel portal has been closed due
MANALI: Many parts of Himachal including Manali, Shimla and Dalhousie woke up to a thick layer of snow on Sunday, bringing cheers to tourists, hoteliers and local residents. This snowfall came as a blessing for fruit growers on the occasion of Lohri. Kothi and Solang near Manali have received over 45cm of more snow while
MANALI: Distracted by heat and din, over 1.5 crore tourists visit Himachal every year to relax in cold and calm atmosphere, but not all of them return home safely as nature’s beauty proves lethal for few of them. Negligence, ignorance, improper safety arrangements, hurriedness, rescue response delay, week communication and medical services are few of the known reasons which are proving fatal for dozens of tourists every year. Most of the ill-fated tourists are dying by drowning in Beas river, besides mountaineering mishaps and road accidents. Kullu-Manali draws largest number of tourists in the state and is also hub of adventure activities including mountaineering, river rafting, paragliding and skiing. While dozens of tourists, mostly foreigners have either died or gone missing during mountaineering, number of tourists being drowned in Beas and Parvati rivers has also increased over the years. After the incident of Shalanala, Mandi, where 24 students of Hyderabad engineering college were washed away by water of Beas, Himachal government has stepped up its surveillance along the riverbanks but preparations seem to be inadequate as tourists, out of curiosity and charmed by its beauty, continue to throng the river banks. Snow and rivers of Kullu-Manali have always been attracting tourists from across the globe. While sudden unseasonal snowfall and landslides leave hundreds of tourists stranded for hours every year, rivers too have proved fatal for tourists who are not aware of the hidden dangers associated with it. Tourists cannot resist themselves and throng its banks to touch, feel and enjoy its cold water. They generally underestimate its force as river actually flows in high velocity than it appears. Even after the Shalanala accident, dozens of tourists can be spotted either sitting on the boulders between river to get themselves clicked or bathing in its swift currents. When a tourist
MANALI: Distracted by heat and din, over 1.5 crore tourists visit Himachal every year to relax in cold and calm atmosphere, but not all of them return home safely as nature’s beauty proves lethal for few of them. Negligence, ignorance, improper safety arrangements, hurriedness, rescue response delay, week communication and medical services are few of
MANALI: Recent snowfall has proved boon to the tourism in Manali where tourists have thronged for both sun and snow. While most parts of Manali are covered with blanket of snow, crystal clear sky on Wednesday lured tourists to bask in the warmth of the sun. Not only snow but tourists are heading the hill state for clear sky and the sun. While Rohtang pass, which is covered under over 20ft of snow, will open in May for tourists, road to Solang valley has become motorable. Deposit of snow and ice on road near Solang has made driving risky but hundreds of tourists managed to reach here on Wednesday. Over 2ft of snow filled them with joy and thrill. A tourist said that the view of Manali is no less than that in Europe. “Only problem is with infrastructure, especially roads and electricity. We enjoyed the whole day at Solang. We tried hand at skiing. The view is inexpressible when entire valley is covered with snow and its completely sunny day. We live in Mumbai from where our country looks completely different.” According to hoteliers, many tourists are coming to see snowfall after watching the weather forecast. A hotelier said many of the guests told him that they made plan to visit Manali as there was snowfall alert in the state. “Tourists are very smart. Earlier people from plains used to spend days to try their luck in watching snowfall. Now they have weather forecast available in pocket in smart phones.” More snowfall likely from Thursday The active western disturbance is like to bring more snowfall to Himachal hills and tourist towns of Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie from today as weatherman has issued alert four days weather alert for the state. “Mid and high hills of state may receive
MANALI: Recent snowfall has proved boon to the tourism in Manali where tourists have thronged for both sun and snow. While most parts of Manali are covered with blanket of snow, crystal clear sky on Wednesday lured tourists to bask in the warmth of the sun. Not only snow but tourists are heading the hill
MANALI: Palak Sharma, a resident of Sihunta village of Chamba district in Himachal, has been crowned Winter Queen 2019 after beating 28 girls from many states. 28 beauties with brain were shortlisted for final rounds from many auditions where over 100 participants took part. Eying Femina Miss India and Miss World titles, Palak has participated in many beauty pageants and won different titles. She was crowned Winter Queen beauty pageant title in the midnight on Sunday. Most of the rounds of the contest were held amidst snowfall. Prashika Sharma from Kullu was announced first runner-up and Arya from Mandi was second runner-up. Amazingly, none of the contestants from other states could make it to top three positions. “My grandmother Jadeshwari is my role model. Mother Sonu Sharma and father Rajeev Sharma support me in whatever I do. I was worn in 1998 and currently I’m pursuing MBA from HP University, Shimla. My morale is high after winning this title and I want to make my career in modeling. Extreme cold weather was the main challenge in the contest,” she said. She added that whenever she get time, she motivate others to keep the country neat and clean. “I love my Himachal and trekking the mountains. I really want to do something to deal with the problem of littering in the country.” The girls had to undergo various rounds in five day long Winter Carnival at Manali. 11 girls were chosen for final round who had tough competition for the crown. Palak finally won the contest and was given the crown and cash prize of Rs one lakh.
MANALI: Palak Sharma, a resident of Sihunta village of Chamba district in Himachal, has been crowned Winter Queen 2019 after beating 28 girls from many states. 28 beauties with brain were shortlisted for final rounds from many auditions where over 100 participants took part. Eying Femina Miss India and Miss World titles, Palak has participated
MANALI: The banks of Beas river, which wreaks havoc with devastating floods during monsoon season every year and attracts tourists with its charm, would soon be channelized and beautified at a cost of Rs 585cr. The plan is to channelize nearly 70km stretch of the river from Palchan village near Manali till Aut in Mandi district. The flooded Beas changes its course every year and has occupied hundreds of bigha of agriculture and forest land. The concrete walls would be built to control the river and protect its banks. The project, which was estimated at Rs 1,300 crore, also includes beautification of the river for tourism purpose. Many viewpoints would be developed for tourists along the Chandigarh-Manali national highway. “Rs 585cr have been sanctioned by Centre in the first stage. The work will start very soon,” Forest minister Govind Singh Thakur said. He added that the work would be executed in well planned manner. “A committee would be formed for this. We shall not compromise with quality. We are planning to develop some viewpoints near the river where tourists can enjoy charm of the Beas without putting lives in danger.” Beas has caused damages worth crores of rupees to public and private properties. Many have lost lives and many tourists lured by Beas have also been drowned. Flood in Beas in September 2018 had damaged protection walls from Manali till Mandi and also damaged the highway at many places. Kullu was most affected district in state where Beas destroyed everything that came on its way. The concrete walls will control its flow and also promote the safe tourism in Kullu. After demand from public the project got principal approval from Himachal government. The project plan was initially drafted by Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune. The plan consists
MANALI: The banks of Beas river, which wreaks havoc with devastating floods during monsoon season every year and attracts tourists with its charm, would soon be channelized and beautified at a cost of Rs 585cr. The plan is to channelize nearly 70km stretch of the river from Palchan village near Manali till Aut in Mandi
Manali: Soon in near future when you will visit Kullu-Manali, you will first see a huge sign of "KULLU" written on the mountain face. After driving for few minutes, you will see another sign "MANALI". Both the signs would be on the theme of "Hollywood sign". Kullu administration has planned to build huge structures to write “Kullu” and “Manali” on the mountain faces at a certain altitude with purpose to mesmerize the tourists entering the district. Deputy commissioner Yunus discussed the plan with the CM and got it approved. The CM Jai Ram Thakur said, “The proposal looks very attractive. The huge letters reading Kullu will welcome tourists to Kullu and they will see Manali written on the mountain after a certain distance. I give my approval to the project. The DC told me that they are searching for a proper land for this on a mountain so that the sings are visible from a distance. The letters will illuminate during night time.”
Manali: Soon in near future when you will visit Kullu-Manali, you will first see a huge sign of “KULLU” written on the mountain face. After driving for few minutes, you will see another sign “MANALI”. Both the signs would be on the theme of “Hollywood sign“. Kullu administration has planned to build huge structures to
MANALI: Tourists can now not just see snow but even snowfall everyday for five months in winters as the snow-making machine (snow gun) imported from Europe by four youths of Manali has started making snow. The trial has been successful and the machine made 30cm of snow early morning on Friday. It took nearly two weeks in installation of the machine on private land in Solang valley. The machine was started in the night time and nearly 30cm of powder snow accumulated on the ground in few hours. The snow park was opened for all tourists for free where they did skiing and other activities. Youths, who expect self employment from this, are planning to charge some entry fee from visitors in coming days. The machine has cost them nearly Rs 40 lakh before it started making snow. What promoters say Expressing his happiness, one of the youths Sunil Thakur, told Discover Kullu Manali: “The experiment has been successful. The machine is very expensive. We were earlier worried if machine will work properly or not. This is new thing for tourists and all. The machine is making perfect snow. Not depending on weather for natural snowfall, tourists can now see snow here from November till March when temperature dips below freezing point. The best thing is the whole technology is 100 per cent eco friendly.” Hira Lal, Gokul Thakur and Mohan, other three partners were explaining to others that how powerful fans of the machine breaks water into superfine droplets which start floating in air and cool climate turns them into ice which eventually falls on ground in form of natural snow. The technology is not new in Europe and many developed nations where snow guns are used to make snow in ski resorts, but technology has never been tried
MANALI: Tourists can now not just see snow but even snowfall everyday for five months in winters as the snow-making machine (snow gun) imported from Europe by four youths of Manali has started making snow. The trial has been successful and the machine made 30cm of snow early morning on Friday. It took nearly two
MANALI: Cold waves are likely to break records of last many years in Himachal as even rivers and lakes have started to freeze at many parts of the state under intense cold conditions. If you want to experience the winters of Himachal, this is the right time to visit. Chandra and Bhaga rivers of Lahaul, which gives birth to Chenab river, have frozen under extreme cold conditions. A layer of ice has covered most of the surface of the Chandra river and edges of Chenab too have covered with ice. Miyar river, tributary of Chenab too has started to freeze. The waterfalls in Lahaul and upper areas of Manali, Kinnaur and Chamba have turned hanging icicles. High altitude lakes including Chandertal, Surajtal, Deepak Tal, Rani Sui, Dashaur and Bhrigu had frozen in November. Unfortunately, most of these places including Lahaul valley have become inaccessible for tourists in winters. Now that temperature is dipping fast, water sources in lower areas are freezing where tourists can experience the winter season. Keylong, district headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti district, recorded minimum temperature of minus 11.1 degrees C on Wednesday, the lowest in the state. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees C. Manali too recorded the lowest temperature of the season at minus 3.4 degrees C. Night temperature of Shimla settled at 2.7 degrees C. Both minimum and maximum temperatures in state are 1 to 3 degrees below normal temperature during this time of the season. “Waterfalls in Lahaul have frozen. Edges of Chandra-Bhaga rivers are covered with ice. Waters of Chenab is carrying ice with it. The cold is biting residents. Even the sun has no warmth. January and February will surely bring record cold this season,” a resident Sudarshan said. Temperature in some parts of Spiti valley is expected to
MANALI: Cold waves are likely to break records of last many years in Himachal as even rivers and lakes have started to freeze at many parts of the state under intense cold conditions. If you want to experience the winters of Himachal, this is the right time to visit. Chandra and Bhaga rivers of Lahaul,
