Winter Carnival Manali 2024 from Jan 2

Winter Carnival Manali 2024

Start Date: January 02, 2024

End Date: January 06, 2024

Address: Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India

Influence: National Level Event

Purpose: To boost winter tourism

Organizers: DC Kullu is chairman and SDM Manali is vice-chairman with both government and non-government members

Timing: Opening at 7 AM on 2nd January. Cultural and other programmes will be held between 11 AM and 10 PM daily

Contact Details: 01902-254100 (O) 254200 (R) (Or check the official website of the Manali Winter Carnival)

Main attractions of winter carnival

• Cultural tableaus
• Local cuisines
• Winter sports (Skiing, Snowboarding competitions etc)
• Winter Queen beauty pageant
• Voice of Carnival
• Folk dances
• Western dances
• Street plays
• Fashion shows
• Baby shows
• Magic shows
• Local games
• Games for tourists
• Many more

Updated on January 7, 2024

Manali’s Nisha Thakur crowned Winter Queen 2024

Nisha Thakur from Manali was crowned Winter Queen 2024 during five-day-long National Winter Carnival that concluded on January 6. The final round of the Winter Queen beauty pageant concluded at 12am midnight where Nisha won the contest. Kohinoor from Shimla was chosen first runner up while Bhavya Pandit from Manali was declared second runner up. 27 beauties from different states were chosen for the semi-final round.

Updated on January 6, 2023

Aarzoo Rana, 22, from Janjehli in Himachal’s Mandi district, was crowned Winter Queen 2023 on Friday late at night. Nitika from Shimla and Smriti from Kullu were crowned first and second runner-ups respectively. More details here.

Tourists enjoy Kullu folk dance performed by hundreds of women

Updated on January 5, 2023

Kullu folk dance performed by hundreds of women and fashion shows by women of all age groups wearing traditional clothes remained the main attraction for tourists in the Winter Carnival being celebrated here from January 2 to 6.

Women, wearing traditional attire and ornaments, danced to the tunes of live folk music and songs for over an hour on Mall Road here and forced tourists to dance with them. The young generation of Kullu-Manali no more wears traditional dress and ornaments. The women, who were dancing with the message of “save girl child”, were also promoting the dress and ornaments. The tourists were left spellbound by both local culture and performance.

The fashion shows presented by both young and elderly women, who walked on the ramp wearing traditional dresses, also received applauds from people. Different sports events were also held between mahila mandals (women groups) from different villages that also remained centre of attraction.

The restaurants in the town are receiving fewer customers in the daytime as tourists are enjoying local cuisines cooked by local women here. A food court for local women has been established in the middle of the town where people can enjoy a variety of local dishes which are not available in any shop.

Meanwhile, the Winter Queen beauty pageant, the main attraction of the carnival, began with the first round held on Wednesday night. The second, semi-final and final rounds will be held on Thursday and Friday. Beauties from many states took part in auditions held at many locations and now 27 have been finalised for the next rounds who will be vying for the winter queen title. The new winter queen will be announced on Friday late at night.

Singing competitions, folk music competitions, western dances, star nights and many other events are also part of the carnival which are attracting both locals and tourists.

Kullu deputy commissioner-cum-chairman of the Winter Carnival committee said the women are playing an important role in conservation and showcasing the local folk art. “Hundreds of women living on left bank of the Beas river performed a folk dance on Tuesday while women from right bank of the district performed on Thursday. One of them will be the winner. A stage on the mall road has been established especially for tourists where they can also perform. They can enjoy local culture, art, dance, local cuisines and the cold weather of Manali. Hotels are also offering discounts on room tariffs to promote tourism,” he said.

Winter Carnival 2023 kick starts in Manali

Updated on January 2, 2023

The eleventh National Winter Carnival started here on Monday with the participation of over 190 cultural troops and tableaux from Himachal and other states who showcased their culture through carnival parades across the town.

The five-day-long carnival, the biggest tourism event of the state, began after worshipping the Goddess Hidimba at her temple in Manali. Chief minister of Himachal, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, flagged off the carnival parade and lighted the ceremonial lamps to kick start various cultural and other colourful programmes.

All the processions were based on a theme based on social messages or based on old traditional lifestyles and culture. Thousands of people, including tourists, made queues on both sides of the road and enjoyed the processions.

The CM, who also walked all the way ahead of the cultural troops on foot, said he was feeling happy to participate in an event for the first time as a chief minister which also gives a message to preserve our culture and traditions. “Carnival is celebrated to boost tourism. We shall work on it to further promote it and uplift its status so that more and more tourists come to see it,” he said.

As many as 188 mahila mandals (women groups) were participating in the carnival this year. Each mahila mandal is given an honorarium of Rs 10,000.

“Our local MLA from Manali, Bhuvneshwar Gaur, asked me to increase the amount to Rs 12,000. I was watching that women are the main face of this carnival and are its main participants. Not 12 or 15, but I double this amount to Rs 20,000 for each mahila mandal as a token of respect. Otherwise, their participation is priceless,” he said while addressing a huge public crowd in Manali.

Thousands of tourists in Manali will get a chance to eat pure local cuisines for five days besides experiencing the local culture. They can also dance to the tunes of the local folk dance. The competitions will be held at Manu Rangshala, an open air amphitheatre and some performances will be held at Mall Road to entertain the tourists.

As there was no more snowfall, the winter sports activities, which are integral parts of the winter carnival, are not being organised this year. Only cultural, western dances, songs, folk performances, fashion shows, singing competitions, winter queen beauty pageant and many other programmes will continue till January 6.

Winter Carnival committee chairman-cum-deputy commissioner, Kullu, Ashutosh Garg, while addressing people here said, “Carnival has a grand beginning with participation of a large number of people. Tourists are getting to see the local culture. The hotels in Manali will be offering big discounts to woo tourists. The availability of snow at Solang, Atal tunnel and upper places is an added advantage. We invite people from other states to come visit Manali and be a part of this colourful event.”

Winter Carnival of Manali was first celebrated in 1977 when it was started to promote the winter games and local culture. Organisers used to conduct skiing competitions at Solang slopes but changes in weather and no snowfall during this time is forcing them to cancel the event for last many years.

Manali Winter Carnival: Sukhu to attend his first public programme as a CM on Jan 2

Updated on December 30, 2022

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will flag off the carnival parade of Winter Carnival in Manali on January 2 and will inaugurate cultural programmes at Manu Ranghshala here. This will be his first public programme as a chief minister.

MLA from Manali, Bhuvneshwar Gaur, held a meeting with officials of all the departments here on Friday to review the preparedness for CM’s first public event. Gaur said the five-day-long national Winter Carnival will be inaugurated by the CM early morning on January 2. He said this is the first public event where Sukhu will be visiting as a CM, so officials have been asked to ensure that everything goes smoothly without glitches.

“This is a national level and largest tourism event of Himachal showcasing local culture and winter sports to attract tourists. Cultural troupes from different states and from different parts of Himachal will reach Manali on January 1. We had very little time to prepare for this event but members of the carnival committee are working day and night. We are happy that CM will participate in the carnival himself. This will be his first non-political public programme as a CM,” Bhuvneshwar Gaur said.

As there are possibilities of more snowfall, Gaur asked officials to make sure that road remains open during the carnival and New Year time. He asked the superintendent of police to deploy extra police force for traffic management and to maintain law and order. He took stock of the preparedness of the different committees which have been given different responsibilities to organise carnival parades, tableaus, folk dance and songs, winter queen beauty pageant, voice of carnival, fashion shows, street plays, local cuisines, various competitions among mahila mandals and many other programmes.

Gaur said there is a need to change the theme of the carnival which not only should be based purely on cultural display to attract more tourists but also winter sports competitions should be organised with it. “This year we have a short time period in all the arrangements. Carnival is an important event of Himachal. It needs a complete makeover.”

Carnival will bring double joy to the tourists as Manali has now enough snow at its tourist places which will last for weeks. Auditions for winter queen beauty pageant and voice of carnival are being held at different locations these days. The shortlisted candidates will get a chance to perform during the carnival in Manali. The increased cold and snow-covered peaks will double the thrill.

Manali Winter Carnival to begin from Jan 2

Updated on December 18, 2022

Winter Carnival, the largest tourism event of Himachal showcasing the local culture and winter sports to attract tourists during the lean winter season, will be celebrated between January 2 and 6, according to the official website of the event.

The carnival is being organised in a very short time period without much preparation. Earlier there were rumours that the event will not be organised this season as Kullu administration had not called meetings to chalk out its outline and then the model code of conduct came into force. It takes months in preparations and administration used to call multiple meetings to review the preparedness.

Cultural troops and other performers, which used to be contacted many months in advance, are being contacted at the last moment while last date to apply, according to website, is December 20. Now that Congress has formed a government in the state, the government has decided to organise the five-day-long event which offers a good platform for the politicians as well.

Even the local stakeholders and public have no idea if the carnival will be organised this season, but the administration has announced to kick start the event through its website and social media pages. There are rumours that local Congress leaders have prepared an outline of the event which will be inaugurated by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on January 2. Local Congress MLA will also have a meeting with the administrative officials.

As it takes months in preparations, the organisers can cut short the programmes and focus will remain on local mahila mandals (women groups) and only a few groups from Himachal and other states.
Winter Queen beauty pageant, which is part of the carnival, remains the main attraction. Girls from different states apply to participate and are shortlisted by screening committee. There is no offline or online publicity and even local committees for different programmes have not been formed so far.

Carnival had started its journey in 1977 to promote winter games in the region and later it was celebrated to attract tourists to Manali in winter season. Later cultural and other colourful events were added to it. Carnival, which received status of national level event in 2011, now begins with cultural processions and tableaus. With changes in government and administration set up, both look and purpose of the carnival remained changing every year.

Winter queen contest, voice of carnival, folk dances, western dances, street plays, fashion shows, baby shows, magic shows, local cuisines and other events in many categories are held here. But lack of professionalism is the reason that only a few local residents take interest in it, while tourists do not feel connected to the carnival. We, on behalf of the people of Himachal, request Himachal government and Kullu administration not make Winter Carnival a government event, but be constructive and thoughtful to make it a successful event by involving local creative workforce and ignore political interests.

Winter Carnival 2022 kicks off in Manali

Updated on January 02, 2022

With nearly 180 cultural troops including 162 mahila mandals showcasing their culture through tableaux, folk dresses and dramatic presentation of the old lifestyle, the national-level Winter Carnival kicked started in Manali on Sunday.

The carnival parade started after worship at Hidimba Devi temple by the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur. The cultural troops came to the main town from circuit house, after covering distance of about 1.5km and thousands of people, including tourists, thronged both sides of the road.

The processions and tableaux stopped at the mall road. The main events also began at Manu Rangshala, an open air amphitheatre, after lighting the lamps by the CM.

Compared to 135 mahila mandals that participated in carnival in 2020, record 162 mahila mandals are actively participating this year. 19 teams from different states including Himachal are taking part in various events.

Entire Manali has been coloured in festive mood and hoteliers and travel agents are inviting tourists to Manali to enjoy this cultural bonanza. Hoteliers have offered special carnival discounts of up to 50 per cent to attract more tourists.

CM Jai Ram Thakur while addressing public from Manu Rangshala said Winter Carnival could not be celebrated last year due to pandemic and is being celebrated this year keeping in view the Covid-19 safety protocols.

“Himachal is known for its rich traditions and cultural diversity and the women of Himachal are always ahead of the men at this front. I express my special thanks to the mahila mandals and NGOs for participating in the procession with themes based on different social issues like environment, natural farming, cleanliness, women empowerment, traditional cuisines, Covid-19 and many more. I am happy to see that the women were wearing face masks even during a performance.”

A variety of programmes will continue at Manu Rangshala and on the mall road till January 6. Folk dances, folk songs, western dances, song competitions, games, winter queen beauty pageant and a large number of other programmes will entertain local and tourists.

A large number of mahila mandals and self help groups are cooking local cuisines where tourists can enjoy the traditional Himachali cuisines for five days.

Manali SDM Surender Thakur, who is also Winter Carnival committee vice-chairman, was quoted by media as saying: “The successful conduct of carnival is possible with joint effort of government, mahila mandals, organizing committee members, hoteliers and local residents. The main purpose of carnival is to promote tourism. We are expecting the maximum participation of the tourists. Local residents are showcasing culture and traditions for the visitors. Tourists should also taste the local cuisines like siddu, gicchay, aksalu, femda prepared by local women which otherwise are not available anywhere else.”

Winter Carnival of Manali was first celebrated in 1977 when it was started to promote the winter games and local culture. Then organizers started organizing other cultural events to promote tourism. Since then, many experiments have been done with the carnival to attract more tourists.

Tourists enjoy folk dance by hundreds of women

4 Jan 2022: Hundreds of women performing Kullu natti in the middle of Manali town as part of folk dance competition during ongoing Winter Carnival left tourists spellbound on Monday.

Adorned with traditional attire and ornaments, the women of all age group forced tourists to dance with them to the tunes of folk music. Local women wear such attire and ornaments on special occasions. The women during this special occasion have become centre of attraction for all. Although tourists are not showing much interest in the variety of programmes being presented at Manu Rangshala, they are enjoying the programmes being performed on the mall road.

Women from over a hundred mahila mandals (women groups) will be performing Kulluvi natty in large groups. On Monday, women from right banks of Beas river performed here for over an hour.

Language, art and culture minister Govind Singh Thakur said group folk dance by women has become an important and most awaited event of the carnival. “Our women are playing an important role in conservation and showcasing the culture and folk art. They are motivating young generation not to forget our culture and traditional dresses. Adorned in the same dresses, these women remain centre of attraction for tourists who wish to understand the local culture,” he said.

Many other folk dances and music are being performed in the market to entertain tourists. Tourists are also being given the opportunity to dance with the groups.

Manali Winter Carnival from January 2

Updated on November 23, 2021

Winter Carnival, one of the largest tourism events of the country, will be celebrated here from January 2 to 6 to attract tourists and give a boost to the local economy which has been hit hard by Covid-19, an official said.

Carnival in Manali was suspended last year due to pandemic. As Covid cases are under control, Kullu administration decided at the last moment to celebrate it this season. In a meeting chaired by language, art and culture minister Govind Singh Thakur, it was decided on Tuesday that carnival will be celebrated as usual without any restriction. It was also decided that winter games will also be organised as part of the event if it snows during this period.

“Tourists will experience the local culture, dance, songs, cuisines, sports and many more in five days. Carnival will begin with cultural tableaus showcasing culture of Himachal and other states. We shall add sports and other colourful events to entertain both locals and tourists. Chief minister will inaugurate the event. We shall also follow the Covid-19 safety protocols,” Thakur said.

The minister added that winter sports like skiing and snowboarding have been integral parts of Winter Carnival for decades and government will make sure that sports lovers are not disappointed. He further adds, “If weather favours us and the slopes remain covered with snow in the first week of January, winter games competitions will also be organised as part of the carnival. Paragliding and river rafting events will also be organised. Our main focus will remain on tourism promotion.”

Carnival is orgnised in Manali to promote winter tourism and local culture. Over one hundred cultural troops from Himachal and other states will take part in the event. Folk dances are organised in the Mall Road area of the town where tourists can also dance to the tunes of Himachali folk songs. Tourists also get to taste local cuisines freshly cooked by local women.

Winter Queen beauty pageant remains the main attraction where beauties from across the country vie for the title amid freezing cold. The event is sometimes held during snowfall. Contestants are required to do a catwalk on an open air ramp while it snows.

Winter Carnival committee vice chairman Surender Thakur said cultural processions, folk dances, western dances, street plays, fashion shows, baby shows, magic shows, voice of carnival, local and winter sports will remain the main attractions.

Updated on December 6, 2019: The Manali Winter Carnival, the largest tourism event of Himachal showcasing the local culture and winter sports to attract tourists during the lean winter season, will be celebrated between January 2 and 6, 2021, an official said here.

Tourists will get to experience local culture, dance, songs, sports, local cuisines, tableaus, winter sports and many more during five days. While the colourful programmes to woo tourists will continue in the town, winter sports like skiing and snowboarding will be organized at Solang valley near the town. Over 4,000 local women will actively participate in the event to give it a local touch.

Aimed to boost the winter tourism and promote local culture, the national level winter carnival will begin with the presentation of over a hundred cultural tableaus and processions. Besides the participation of cultural troops from many other states, the tourists will get to see folk performances of all districts of Himachal while over 120 mahila mandals have agreed to participate. The mahila mandals will present folk dances on the Mall Road here for five days. Tourists will get a chance to dance on the Kullu folk tunes.

Fashion show during Winter Carnival at Manu Rangshala of Manali

Winter Queen pageant, where beauties from across the country will vie for the title, will be the main attraction of the carnival. Unlike other beauty pageants where models get a pleasant weather during the competition, the participants here undergo catwalk on open-air ramp under sub-zero temperature. Sometime event is held during snowfall. Apart from western attire and dresses of their choice, the participants will have to come on the ramp while wearing Himachal dresses in one round. Screening to select participants has started in many places.

While addressing a meeting to review the preparations of the carnival, forest and transport minister Govind Singh Thakur said people will see a Winter Carnival in all-new look this year. “Apart from cultural, tourism and winter sports activities, we shall spread awareness about environment protection, cleanliness and traffic rules among tourists and other people. Carnival is playing an important role in tourism promotion and in sharing our rich culture with tourists from India and abroad,” he said.

The minister added that the whole event will be completely plastic free. Group cleanliness campaigns will be run before and after the carnival. It was decided in the meeting that at least 5,000 saplings of different species would be planted during the event to send a message of environment protection.

Winter Carnival Committee vice chairman Raman Gharsangi said voice of carnival, folk dances, western dances, street plays, fashion shows, baby shows, magic shows and events in many categories will be organized in five days. “Groups from 15 states have been invited to participate. Group folk dance by over 4,000 local women wearing local attire on the Mall Road will be an attraction for tourists. Mahila mandals, NGOs and self help groups will establish food court where they will cook and serve only local cuisines to the tourists.”

The organizers are organizing winter sports and other adventure sports competitions during the same period to give them a boost. The tourism department and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, have been given responsibility for its smooth organization.

History of Manali Winter Carnival

The origin of Winter Carnival dates back to 1977 when it was inaugurated for the first time by the chief minister of Himachal late Dr YS Parmar. In fact, Winter Carnival is the brainchild of Harnam Singh, the founder of Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Manali (now Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports) who thought carnival was the need of the region to bring winter sports, especially skiing, to spotlight.

It started with skiing competitions on the Solang valley with active participation by professionals from HAWS, ITBP, and Gulmarg Ski School. The initiative was a big hit and started attracting hordes of fans to the sport. In a bid to give skiing a further boost and attract tourists, Harnam Singh started hosting cultural events simultaneously with the skiing competitions.

The cultural events were organized at the Manu Rang Shala and enthusiasts attended the spectacle from across the nation and globe. Thus began this interesting journey of the Manali Winter Carnival. Although this arrangement came to an end in 1984, skiing activities, State & National level competitions, along with regular courses, kept going smoothly. Manu Kala Kendra, a local club was at the helm from 1985 to 1992.

A year later it joined hands with Trios Mumbai and continued the Manali Winter Carnival on the earlier lines. Such was the popularity of the event that it was listed as a State Level Function in 1999. Since then the carnival has been celebrated with much fanfare. Tourists started visiting Manali in winter months to experience the local culture and winter sports.

The year 2008 can be termed as the turning point when Cultural and Skiing events were once again organized side by side. The only difference being that cultural programs were used to highlight skiing. Apparently the belief was that intermingling of the two would lead to mutual prosperity and pave the way for an international skiing event.

The 12th State Level Winter Carnival (7th to 11th February 2010) was organized on a large scale when the colourful programmes were brought to the Mall Road area from Manu Rangshala. Viewers got chance to see the events both at Manu Rangshala and on the Mall Road area. Numerous tourist attractions spread along the 250 metre stretch of the Manali Mall from the Ram Bagh Chowk to the Ibex Chowk. For the first time, an effort was made by the then SDM Rajeshwar Goel to directly involve the vacationers in the spectacle.

Winter Queen beauty pageant

Dozens of beauties from across the country throng Manali in the bone-chilling cold of January to vie for Winter Queen title, a distinct type of beauty pageant where models do catwalk on ramp of an open-air theatre where icy winds pierce through their skin.

Started a few decades back, the contest is gaining popularity among the young girls. Both well groomed models and newcomers take part in the event to win the silver crown and cash prize. First and second runner-ups are also awarded with silver crowns and cash prize. Winter Queen contest is a part of five-day-long Manali Winter Carnival which start from January 2 every year. Eligible beauties are chosen through auditions that take place in December in Himachal and other states as well.

The contest which is organized in night time when temperature dips as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius has several rounds and contestants are required to stand on the ramp for long times after catwalk. Contestants will be marked by judges on the basis of the catwalk, grace, intelligence, IQ level and presence of mind. While other beauty pageants see the bikini and other rounds, Winter Queen contest has both western and local dress rounds which involves wearing Himachali warm attire as well.

Girls are required to be unmarried to be eligible to take part in the contest and their age should not be more than 25 years. Minimum height of the contestant should be 5ft and 2inches. Winter Queen contest remains the main attraction of the carnival and thousands throng Manali to witness beauties walking through the icy ramp. Many Winter Queens have successfully made their career in Bollywood and modelling.

Pahari cuisines attract tourists in Manali Winter Canrival

Local pahari cuisines of Kullu attract thousands of tourists and local dish “siddu” is the main attraction of Manali Winter Carnival.

Siddu, aksadu, salty tea, femda and other old traditional cuinines of Kullu which are otherwise not available commercially elsewhere are served to people. Women from local mahila mandals, NGOs and self help groups cook fresh cuisines in the temporary established food court here. Based on taste, hygiene and presentation, best food stall is awarded in the carnival. According to women, their stalls are flooded with the customers, especially tourists.

Tourists enjoy folk dance, culture

Hundreds of women performing Kullu natti as part of folk dance competition during Winter Carnival, Manali, leaves tourists spellbound. Adorned with traditional attire and ornaments, the women of all age group forces tourists to dance with them on the tunes of folk music.

Local women generally do not wear such attire and ornaments which are on the verge of extinction. This attire and ornaments are worn by very few village women who have preserved the culture and their traditions. The women during this special occasion become the centre of attraction for all. Although tourists do not show much interest in the variety of programmes that are presented in Manu Rangshala, they enjoy the programmes performed in the market area.

Updated on January 02, 2020

Winter Queen beauty pageant 2022

Over 50 beauties from across the country will be doing catwalk in bone chilling temperature of Manali amidst snow-clad mountains from January 2 to win the Winter Queen beauty pageant 2022 title.

The distinct type of beauty pageant which is organized every year in peak winter season has gained popularity across the nation. A large number of women from many states come and vie for the crown. The five-day-long event starting from January 2 will be the part of the Winter Carnival, the largest tourism event of Himachal. The interested contestants who fulfil the criteria are shortlisted through auditions and can take part in the completion at Manali.

The pageant is very popular among the young women of the state who wish to make their career in modelling. The top three winners get the silver crowns and cash prize. Be it well groomed model or a newcomer, interest beauties can apply for audition close to her. If participant cannot reach a particular location for the audition, she can come to Manali on January 1 to undergo the special audition.

Unlike other beauty pageants where models get a pleasant environment during completion, the Winter Queen contest is conducted during night time at the open air amphitheatre in the middle of Manali town. The temperature during competition remains below freezing point. Many times it starts snowing while contestants do the catwalk. Besides western attire and dresses of choice, the participants will have to come on the ramp wearing Himachal dresses in one special round.

Contestants will get marks on the basis of catwalk, grace, intelligence, dressing sense, IQ level and many other criteria. Sometime contestants feel it difficult even to introduce them at their teeth chatter in cold. They feel uncomfortable in standing on the stage and some start shivering with cold. While many other events like fashion shows, folk dances, singing competitions, magic shows, talent shows, street plays and baby shows are organized in the carnival but winter queen contest attracts the maximum audience.

Winter Carnival vice-chairman Raman Gharsangi, who is also Manali sub-divisional magistrate, said contestants are required to be unmarried and their age should not be more than 25. “She should be at least 5ft 3inch tall and bonafide Indian citizen,” he said. He further added that all preparations for successful conduct of Winter Carnival are in the final stage. “Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur will inaugurate the carnival on January 2. All departments are instructed to ensure smooth supply of power and water and PWD, BRO and other agencies have been asked to keep roads open in case of snowfall.”

Old Posts from 2018-19

Manali to celebrate Winter Carnival from Jan 2 to 6, 2019

Posted on January 1, 2019

The five-day-long national level Winter Carnival, the largest tourism event of Himachal, will start from January 2 to 6 with participation of cultural troops from many states and all districts of Himachal Pradesh.

Aimed at promotion of local culture and to boost tourism in winter months, the carnival will begin with presentation of over 100 tableaus and cultural processions showcasing their art and culture. Winter Queen pageant, where beauties from many states will vie for the title, will be the main attraction of the event. Voice of Carnival, fold dances, folk songs, fashion shows and events in many categories would be organized in five days.

Over a thousand women from nearly 80 mahila mandals will present group folk dance on the Mall Road to entertain the tourists. After cultural processions on Wednesday morning, 5,000 people will sing National Song together and kick start various competitions.

Entire Manali has been coloured in festive mood and the local administration thinks large number of tourists will come to Manali during this period and those who are already in Manali for New Year celebrations will extend their stay. The hoteliers here have also offered discount of up to 50 per cent in tariff to woo the tourists.

Winter Carnival Committee vice chairman Raman Gharsangi said carnival is celebrated every year from January 2 to 6 with purpose to promote local culture. “All arrangements have been done. We shall ensure maximum participation of tourists and locals. As there is prediction of snowfall in coming days, PWD has been directed to be ready with machines to clear snow and keep roads open. Most of the teams from other states and districts have reached Manali.”

Winter games postponed

Unfortunately, absence of adequate snow on slopes has forced organizers to postpone the winter games. Winter games are the integral part of the Winter Carnival which were being organized at Solang after many years.

This is bad news for winter games lovers that national alpine skiing and snowboarding championships which were to begin from Wednesday have been postponed due to unavailability of adequate snow on the slopes at Solang valley.

Ashwani Kumar, joint director of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, said weather has ruined all preparations. “11 national teams, many clubs and individuals were invited for the championships in five categories. The event has now been postponed to February 2. Still, it will totally depend on snowfall. Presently all the teams have been informed about cancellation of the championships,” he said.