Thousands of holidaymakers descended upon the picturesque town of Manali and its surrounding hotspots in Himachal Pradesh to celebrate Christmas on a clear, snowless Thursday. The festive week, spanning from Christmas to New Year's Eve, triggered a significant tourist surge, transforming the region into a bustling hub of activity.
Tourist Rush and Traffic Gridlocks
While a large number of visitors chose to stay back in Manali, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion, many others ventured out to nearby popular attractions. Key destinations included the engineering marvel Atal Tunnel, the scenic valleys of Sissu, and the high-altitude passes of Rohtang and Shinkula.
Capitalizing on the clear weather, local authorities kept both the Rohtang Pass and the Shinkula Pass open for traffic. However, access was restricted to 4X4 vehicles only for safety on these treacherous routes. Hundreds of eager tourists reached these mountain passes in the early morning hours to enjoy a day amidst the snow on the peaks.
The heavy influx of vehicles led to frequent traffic snarls on the Manali-Atal Tunnel highway and within Manali town itself, as the infrastructure strained under the holiday pressure.
Disappointment Over Missing Snowfall and Festive Cheer
The conspicuous absence of snowfall on Christmas left many visitors disheartened. Sunny Kaul, a 64-year-old tourist from Delhi, expressed his nostalgia, stating, "There was a time when it would definitely snow in Manali, and we would plan our visit for this sole reason only. But it's been years since it snowed on Christmas. Most visitors come to Manali for the snowfall, and that's the last thing they experience here."
To elevate the festive spirit, the tourism department organized a 'DJ musical night' on the iconic Manali Mall Road. Hundreds of tourists and locals danced for hours in the chilly evening air. These musical nights are scheduled to continue through December 31. An official confirmed that hotel occupancy in Manali and nearby areas has risen significantly with the start of the holiday week.
Celebrations Extend to Dharamshala and Weather Forecast
The Christmas cheer was not confined to Manali. A substantial number of tourists also arrived in Dharamshala and surrounding areas of Kangra district. On Thursday, many visited the historic Church of St John in the Wilderness, built in 1852, located in Forsythganj near Mcleodganj.
There might be some relief for snow seekers, as the weather department has forecast light rain and snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh on December 26. Furthermore, the Meteorological Centre in Shimla has predicted the possibility of rain and snow on December 30 and 31, just in time for New Year's Eve celebrations.
On the temperature front, Kukumseri in Lahaul Spiti recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state on Thursday at a biting -6.3 degrees Celsius.
