Lahaul Snow Festival 2022
Start Date: January 13, 2022
End Date: March 31, 2022 (tentative)
Address: Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India
Main attractions: Traditional (winter) festivals, Local culture, Local cuisines, Lahaul tribal dresses, Snow Craft, Snow Queen contest, Winter and traditional sports, Folk Dance, Folk Music, and many more
Influence: Within Lahaul Valley
Venue: All villages of Lahaul with centre at Keylong and Udaipur
First Event: 2021 (25 Jan to 31 March)
Purpose: To boost winter tourism and cultural tourism besides preserving and revival of long-forgotten local traditions.
Organizers: DC Lahaul Spiti, Local MLA, SDMs, all government officials and local stakeholders with support from all the residents.
Funding: With a mutual contribution by residents under the guidance of local administration.
Achievement: Won SKOCH Silver Award in governance category on March 20, 2021.
Timing: Opening at 10 AM on 13th January at Udaipur, and cultural and other programmes will continue all days daily.
How to reach Lahaul: Delhi/Chandigarh > Manali > Atal Tunnel > Lahaul
How to reach Spiti: Delhi/Chandigarh > Shimla/Karsog >Rampur > Kinnaur > Spiti
Two month-long Snow Festival from 13 January 2022
Updated on December 30, 2021
With an aim to promote winter tourism, tribal culture, local festivals, and traditions, the two-month-long snow festival will start in Himachal’s Lahaul-Spiti district from January 13, 2022.
The first snow festival was organised from January 25 to March 31 last winter season when opening of the Atal tunnel had provided winter access to the snow-blanketed valley. After the festival remained successful, the second winter festival will start from Udaipur after worship at Trilokinath temple by lamas and Brahmins.
The festival, which will be celebrated in snow-covered valley at different places for over two months, will showcase Lahauli festivals, local culture, cuisines, dresses, folk songs and dances, winter sports and many more. Tourists will be able to enjoy the festival along with winter season of the valley which remained out of reach for outsiders for centuries.
Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Neeraj Kumar said a meeting was held on the successful organisation of the festivity on Thursday. “The outline of the festivity has been prepared. We shall include all traditional and colourful events. The festivity will be held completely according to local customs and religious sentiments. The local lamas have prepared a calendar of the events. The local festivals like Udna, Gochi, Halda, Fagli and Yor which are organised in Gahar, Pattan and Tinan valleys of Lahaul will be included in the snow festival so that tourists also get to experience the rich culture of Lahaul,” he said.
He added that a craft mela and tribal folk dance will be other attractions for visitors. Exhibitions of ancient artifacts related to religious and social life of Lahaul, snow craft and food festival will also be a part of festival. The snow art work where local people make statues based on different subjects and things with snow remains the main attraction besides traditional games like archery and tug-of-war on snow. The weaving competitions for women, snow queen competitions, games for children and photography competitions will also be the part of snow festival.
“The main purpose of organising snow festival is to popularise the ancient festivals and culture of Lahaul valley and promote winter tourism. We are expected a large number of tourists in the valley during this unique event. Hundreds of homestays have opened in the valley where tourists can get experience of staying with the locals,” the DC added.
Lahaul Snow Festival wins SKOCH award
Updated on March 21, 2021
The ongoing Snow Festival of Lahaul-Spiti, which entered its 67th day on Sunday, has won SKOCH Silver award in the governance category.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who visited the valley on Sunday, cut a cake and congratulated Lahaul-Spiti administration and local residents for the achievement. The award was given on Saturday and Lahaul-Spiti administration on Sunday along with the residents cut a local cake “marpini” to celebrate the occasion. Ravi Shankar visited different parts of Lahaul including the holy confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers and then joined the Snow Festival.
Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai said this is matter of pride for the tribal district that the district has been honoured with the prestigious award for the festival which has been being organised for the first time. “Snow festival is a zero budget festival where no government money is being spent. All the activities and arrangements are being done with mutual contribution with help of local residents. The festival will go a long way in promoting local culture and tourism,” he said.
Snow Festival, one of the longest festivals in the world, is being organised to revive the ancient arts, culture, sports, traditions, clothes, music and cuisines of Lahaul-Spiti district. The traditional festivals of the district which are generally celebrated in winter season were also included under this festival. Many festivals and events, which were forgotten by the residents, were celebrated after decades.
“All this could be possible only due to opening of Atal tunnel which provided winter connectivity to Lahaul valley. The idea behind celebrating Snow Festival was to promote cultural and winter tourism in the valley besides reviving local cultures and traditions. The festival has been a big hit and now a large number of tourists want to visit Lahaul. As we have limited accommodation and other facilities, we are first focusing on strengthening the tourism infrastructure. Nearly 400 new homestays were also registered under Snow Festival,” the DC added.
Meanwhile, the three-day-long food festival, being celebrated under Snow Festival, ended at Sissu village at north portal of the Atal tunnel on Sunday. Hundreds of tourists enjoyed the local cuisines and also enjoyed dancing to the tunes of Lahauli folk music.
Snow Festival: Tribal food festival at Sissu from March 19
Updated on March 18, 2021
The three-day-long Tribal Food Festival will begin at Sissu, 6km from north portal of Atal tunnel, from March 19 where rare and traditional cuisines of Lahaul valley will be made available for tourists.
People from different parts of Lahaul will cook, showcase and sell their respective traditional cuisines most of which are not available to buy in any shop. Both veg and non-veg cuisines, which have not been tasted by most people from outside Lahaul-Spiti district, will be available at Sissu helipad here. The event is the part of the ongoing Snow Festival.
Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai said, “Different stalls of traditional dishes will be established. The main purpose of this food festival is to make tourists aware of tribal foods which are cooked by the local residents. The tasty cuisines including childa, teemo, marchu, salty and chharma tea will get recognition through this festival,” he said.
The dishes of Lahaul valley are completely different from other parts of the state due to its difficult geography and limited resources. The residents, which used to cut off completely from rest of the world for over five months in winter season, used to mostly depend on dried meat, dried vegetables and different types of teas and soups. The tribals will now share their recipes with the tourists.
Thousands of tourists are reaching Lahaul valley, especially north portal of Atal tunnel, to enjoy snow. Some tourists are enjoying the ongoing cultural Snow Festival. The tourists from Friday will not only get to taste local cuisines, they will also enjoy local music, folk dance, traditional games and much more at Sissu in the next few days.
The DC said Snow Festival has helped revive many forgotten tribal festivals and traditions of Lahaul. “The Snow Festival which had started in January is coming to an end. With this festival, the residents revived their long-forgotten traditions and festivals. Traditional Shangjatar of Lahaul has been celebrated after 90 years, Raink jatar (festival) has been celebrated after about 50 years and completely forgotten traditional dance “Selu dance” has also been revived. The residents will now continue to celebrate these festivals along with tourists to promote cultural tourism in the valley,” he said.
Snow festival completes 46 days; admin says no govt money spent
Updated on February 28, 2021
The ongoing Snow Festival of Lahaul-Spiti, which completed its 46 days on Sunday, has become the longest and largest winter festival of the country. The unique thing about this festival, involving a large number of resources and manpower, is that district administration has not spent a single rupee from government funds.
Started on January 14, the Snow Festival is being celebrated in different places of Lahaul-Spiti district without a break. The festival is showcasing winter and traditions sports, folk dances, folk music, local cuisines, artifacts, local dresses, snow sculptures and many more. A large number of local festivals that are celebrated in winter season have also been included in the snow festival. Lakhs of rupees have been spent on various resources and facilities. But, according to administration, no government money has been spent, while the festivals are being organised with the help of local residents.
Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai said, “This is a zero budget festival which is being celebrated with community participation. The festival was started on January 14 but its official inauguration was done on January 25. This is an effort to revive the ancient tribal culture and folk art that is close to extinction. It also aims at promoting cultural and winter tourism in the valley.”
The administration had started Snow Festival as an experimental basis but it has been very successful. Though very limited tourists could experience this festival due to travel restrictions amid snowfall this year, the photos and videos of the festival being celebrated in snow and ice has left the nation spellbound. Administration now plans to celebrate it with more fanfare from next year onwards.
While lakhs and crores of public funds are spent on organising events and festivals, tribals of both Lahaul and Spiti valleys have given a message to the country that money is no bar if community participation is ensured.
On Sunday, Snow Festival was celebrated at Kirting village with participation of mahila mandals (women groups) and yuvak mandals from Meling, Rashel, Kirting, Shansha and Duansha villages.
Tribal development minister Ram Lal Markanda, who is also camping at Lahaul, said government is not spending any money on this festival which is being celebrated with public participation. “Snow festival has turned out to be the largest winter festival of the country and perhaps the largest in the world. From next year, this even will start with our local festival Udan and will continue for 90 days. All other festivals known as Halda, Yor etc will be included like we did this year. All the traditional festivals will also be transcribed as literature,” he said.
The administration, which has registered nearly 500 homestays in Lahaul valley in just five days during a special campaign under the Snow Festival, will make arrangements of accommodating tourists in homestays in next Snow Festival. A Tribal Festival will also be celebrated in the entire valley on the lines of snow festival which will begin from Sissu village. The district will adopt strategy of cultural tourism from Ladakh and plans to start adventure activities like paragliding and river rafting in the valley. A state level archery competition and national ice hockey championships are also in the pipeline.
Tourists enjoy Lahaul Snow Festival as Atal tunnel opens for visitors
Updated on January 31, 2021
The ongoing Snow Festival of Lahaul, which is becoming very interesting due to introduction of unique snow-based events and competitions, is now being joined by tourists as Atal tunnel has been reopened for general movement after remaining closed for over three weeks.
Hundreds of tourists are now entering Lahaul valley every day. Most tourists are going till Sissu while some are going to Keylong, Udaipur and other places of the valley. As the Snow Festival is being celebrated at different places of Lahaul to promote winter tourism and to preserve the local culture, tourists have also started joining the event. Happy residents, who are hosting tourists in the valley for the first time in winter season, are giving them traditional welcome and are serving them local cuisines.
Tug-of-war on snow has become a unique experience for the residents besides other unique games. Local youths have introduced igloos in the fest which shall be available for tourists to spend a night from next year onwards. Chief guests and organisers are being offered tables and chairs made of ice. Knitting competitions are being organised for local women at different locations.
Snow sculptures prepared by local artists are catching the fancy of the tourists and residents. Sculptures of Lord Buddha, lion, ibex, stupas, praying diyas and many other symbols have been the main attraction for visitors. Old artifacts, a few of which are still in use by residents, are also being showcased. Ice climbing on frozen waterfall at Commander nullah near Keylong is also being organised for adventure enthusiasts.
“Tourists were welcomed with khatag, a traditional ceremonial scarf. They were offered local cuisines. Tourists were extremely happy. Tribal development minister Ram Lal Markanda talked to some tourists and asked about their experience. If tourists continue to reach the valley during snow fest, we are thinking about involving them in the events like folk dance, archery and other games. As our traditional festivals have also been made part of this festival, tourists will get a chance to take first-hand experience of Lahauli culture,” one of the organisers Mangal Chand Manepa said.
The residents were not expecting tourists to reach the valley this season. As the Atal tunnel was opened on Saturday, tourists have made a beeline for Lahaul valley which is blanketed with pure white snow. The residents, who are celebrating two-month-long Snow Festival, are now filled with thrill and enthusiasm. They believe that more and more tourists will reach the inner Lahaul valley for long stays.
Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai said the first Snow Festival was organised on an experimental basis and it has been very successful. “The themes, traditions, culture, snow sculptures, local games, competitions, winter games and cuisines have spelled magic. This festival, which is being celebrated at different parts of the valley and has been combined with local festivals, will leave tourists spellbound. As tourists have started reaching the valley, we are also working on strengthening the tourism infrastructure,” he said.
Century-old suffering ends as Lahaul welcomes world with Snow Festival
Updated on January 25, 2021
Marking the end of suffering of extreme winter season after getting winter connectivity with Atal tunnel, the tribals of Lahaul are now inviting the world to visit this winter wonderland after kick-starting two month-long Snow Festival on Monday
“Snow festival is our message to the world that we are open for you, even in winters,” tribal development minister Ram Lal Markanda told the gathering after inaugurating Snow Fest 2021. After inaugurating the festival, Markanda adds, “Reaching Lahaul in winter months was as similar as reaching moon. Now that Atal tunnel has connected us with rest of the nation, tourists can visit this snow-laden cold desert in winter season as well. We have limited facilities available in the valley. The tourism infrastructure is being strengthened. Next year onwards tourists can join us in winter season,” he said.
Five to ten feet deep snow and bone-chilling temperature dipping as low as minus 20 degrees C, which is not normal anywhere else in the country, will welcome tourists to the valley. According to administration, tourism is going to change the lifestyle in the valley as it will become the major employer within a year. Along with summer tourism, the administration and local stakeholders are trying hard to promote winter tourism by promoting it’s culture, traditional festivals, cuisines, lifestyle, winter sports and traditional games.
With the participation of a large number of cultural troops presenting tribal folk dance and music, local clubs starting winter games and women cooking local cuisines, the Snow Festival started here which will continue for two months. Ancient artefacts, which are still in use, were also showcased. Traditional games chholo (ancient game of dice), archery and many other games also stated here.
A large number of people from different parts of the valley thronged Keylong to enjoy the festival. Lahaul celebrates seven major festivals in winter months which have been brought under Snow Festival, and has been names festival of festivals.
Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai said each village of Lahaul celebrates an ancient festival including Fagli, Halda, Losar, Kuns, Jukaru, Gochi, Poona and Lamohi. “We are sharing Lahaul’s precious culture, festivals, cuisines, lifestyle, games and everything with the world. We are making all possible arrangements to welcome tourists in the valley in winter season very soon. Snow festival is our invitation to the world. We are encouraging residents to register maximum homestay units so that our tourist accommodating capacity increases,” he said.
DC added that soon electric buses will run in Lahaul-Spiti which will facilitate tourists and will reduce carbon emission. “Mobile toilets, garbage treatment, 24 hour running drinking water, tourist facility centres at Jispa, Udaipur and Sissu have been planned. We are focussing on eco-friendlly cultural tourism. We also plan to organise a Tribal Festival for tourists in summer season,” he added.
Atal tunnel has kept tribals of Lahaul valley connected with the outer world in winter season for the first time. Tourists were being allowed to enter Lahaul valley via Atal tunnel until first week of January and the beautiful views of valley left people mesmerised which resulted over 5,400 vehicles entering tunnel in a single day.
Given the high potential of winter tourism and cultural tourism, administration, government and local stakeholders are now inviting tourists to visit the valley by promoting its culture through two-month-long Snow Festival which kick-started here on Monday.
Lahaul’s Snow Festival to showcase traditional festivals for two months
January 19, 2021: For the first time ever, tourists can experience the rich traditional festivals of Lahaul valley in the next two months as Lahaul-Spiti administration is celebrating two-and-half-month-long snow festival in the valley.
Named as “festival of festivals”, this will be the longest ever festival of the country that will continue for over two months. Each village of Lahaul celebrates a unique festival in winter months. Fagli, Halda, Losar, Kuns, Jukaru, Gochi, Poona, Lamohi are some of the names of the festival which have the same theme but are celebrated differently in different valleys of Lahaul. A large number of people from outside Lahaul always wanted to enjoy these festivals but were unable to reach Lahaul in winter season. Now that Atal tunnel is open, the administration is bringing all the festivals on a common platform under snow festival that will start on January 25 on the occasion on Himachal Statehood Day.
“This will be the festival of festivals. We shall celebrate it in all the villages for two and half months. We shall showcase rich culture, traditions, sports, cuisines and art of the valley. This will definitely promote the winter tourism in the valley,” Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai said.
Tribal Lahaul-Spiti district is known for its unique cultural and religious festivals. Unfortunately, most of the events are celebrated in winter season when the valley receives very heavy snowfall. The state government has decided to keep the valley connected with other parts of the state through the tunnel even after heavy snowfall. Tourists, for the first time, can enjoy the first-hand experience of festivals. However, in case of road closure following very heavy snowfall, the snow festival would be shown to the world through online media.
“This is for the first time that festivals of each valley of Lahaul will be provided a common platform through snow festival. This amalgam of culture and traditions will be witnessed by people for the first time. Archery during Gochi festival is very famous. We shall promote the local sports, cuisines and handicrafts. Only local cuisines will be served on the opening ceremony of the snow festival on January 25. Guests will be served with salty and chharma (sea buckthorn) teas. Winter sports will also be organised during this time,” the DC added.
Tribal development minister Ram Lal Markanda, who will inaugurate the festival, said tourists will visit Lahaul in good number to experience the winter lifestyle and rick culture of Lahaul in the future. “Snow festival is an endeavour to promote the event. Lahaul valley has a lot to explore. People will prefer visiting Lahaul over Europe soon in the future. The festival is being planned totally keeping in view the future potential of tourism,” he said.
Weeks-long snow festival in Lahaul from January 25
December 31, 2020: Lahaul administration will celebrate a weeklong snow festival for the first time in Himachal to woo tourists and promote tribal culture, traditions, dresses and handicrafts from January 25 on the occasion of golden jubilee of Himachal statehood day.
Lahaul deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai held a meeting with officials and stakeholders on Wednesday to prepare a roadmap for the festival. It was decided that the festival will be celebrated for a week in different parts of Lahaul-Spiti district. Besides sharing local art and culture with tourists, traditional games like archery and chholo will also be played.
“PM Narendra Modi and chief minister Jai Ram Thakur had said that Lahaul valley has vast potential in tourism and Atal tunnel will make this happen. In an effort to bring Lahaul in international tourism map and to showcase and promote local handicrafts, culture, dresses, local cuisines, folk art, we have decided to start a snow festival in the valley on the occasion of golden jubilee of Himachal Statehood Day,” Pankaj Rai said.
Winter season lasts for six months in Lahaul and the entire valley remains covered with snow for most of the time. A few tourists used to visit Lahaul in summer time from mid-May to October but valley used to remain closed for tourists in winter season. Tourists have started making a beeline for Lahaul after opening of the Atal tunnel. The administration with help of local stakeholders will host this first-ever winter event for tourists to promote winter tourism.
The DC added that adventure sports related to snow and other traditional games will also be the major part of the festival which will be celebrated for seven days in different parts of the district. “Archery, chholo (game of dice), snow crafting and skiing will be organised. Local cuisines from each part of the valley like sattu, childa, timo etc will also be introduced. Officials and stakeholders gave their suggestions to make this festival interesting, effective and popular,” he said.
Month-long Snow Festival begins in tribal Spiti
February 10, 2021: With Spiti valley all set to reopen for tourists from February 17 after almost 11 months, a month-long Snow Festival started in the valley on Wednesday.
Spiti Snow Festival started from Lossar village of the valley on Wednesday. The festival will showcase its Buddhist culture, its unique culture, traditions, folk arts, dresses and cuisines. Snow crafting, where different art works were prepared with snow, remained the main attraction. The traditional artifacts were displayed and it was displayed that how people in past times used to weave their clothes. Winter sports like ice hockey, ice skating and ice climbing will also be included in the festival. It will be celebrated in different parts of the valley in the next few weeks.
“Snow Festival will be celebrated in the next few weeks. The festival, which will be organised at different villages, is an attempt to boost the cultural tourism and preserve our culture and traditions. The old customs and traditions of Spiti, some of which are being forgotten, will be provided a common platform. This will be the festival of people with main involvement of local people,” Spiti additional district magistrate Gian Sagar Negi said.
This festival will be celebrated on the lines of ongoing Lahaul Snow Festival. But the culture and traditions of Spiti are unique which cannot be find anywhere else in the country. Spiti is also known as mini-Ladakh for its resemblance with landscapes and monasteries of Ladakh.
Snow leopards have become an integral part of tourism of Spiti valley. The organisers were planning to include snow leopards to the Snow Festival by organising different activities. The mask dance organised in gompas here is very unique and famous. Local festivals, mask dance, Spitian folk songs, dances and many other events will be orgnised under the Snow Festival.
Besides its culture and landscapes, Spiti is famous for its monasteries that defy the laws of architecture. Buddhist lamas, their gurus, local stakeholders, government officials, associations and NGOs will collectively celebrate the snow festival.
Negi added that a large number of tourists are expected to visit Spiti valley in the next few days. “Participation of tourists in the snow festival will be ensured. Tourists will get to enjoy local cuisines, local sports, dresses and culture. This will definitely promote cultural tourism in the valley. This way people will be encouraged to revive the long forgotten traditions as well,” he added.
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