SHIMLA: Heavy traffic was witnessed on the Mandi-Kullu highway on Saturday as large numbers of tourists headed towards Manali after the conclusion of the five-day Shimla Summer Festival. Police personnel were deployed at key congestion points to regulate traffic and ensure smooth vehicular movement along the busy route.
The tourist rush followed the end of the Shimla Summer Festival on Friday. Thousands of visitors and local residents attended the event at the historic Ridge Maidan, which showcased Himachal Pradesh's culture, folk traditions, handicrafts and local cuisine. Artists from across the country also performed during the festival.
While tourists praised Shimla's pleasant weather and vibrant atmosphere, some raised concerns about overcrowding and traffic congestion during the peak travel season.
Speaking with ANI, Deepak Chauhan, a tourist from Delhi, said he thoroughly enjoyed the festival but felt it would be better if it were organised in July instead of June.
"We are enjoying a lot and having a great time. The festival is wonderful, but there is too much traffic and heavy congestion because of the large number of people. My suggestion is that the Summer Festival should not be held during the peak tourist season. It can also be organised in July. The crowd has increased significantly, and traffic is getting affected, but overall it feels very good," Chauhan said.
Visitors from different parts of the country also appreciated Shimla's cool climate and scenic beauty as many regions in northern India continue to experience intense summer heat.
Sanjeev Kumar Lohani, a tourist from Bihar who arrived in Shimla on the Kalka-Shimla toy train, described the hill station as a refreshing escape from soaring temperatures in the plains.
"We arrived in Shimla today through the toy train from Kalka. The weather here, the natural beauty and the valleys are extremely beautiful. It is a pollution-free place and feels wonderful. Back home, temperatures are around 44 to 45 degrees Celsius. The Summer Festival is very impressive, and it is great to witness the local culture. We saw local people dancing and performing, which was something new and enjoyable for us. The Himachali folk performances are excellent. The crowd here is beyond our expectations; we have never seen such a large crowd in Shimla before. We will stay here tomorrow and then head towards Manali. The valleys here are truly beautiful," Lohani told ANI.
Another visitor, Jasvinder Singh from Punjab, said the festival created a warm and cheerful atmosphere for tourists and residents alike.
"The weather here is excellent. People have come from Punjab and many other places. Everyone is interacting warmly and in a friendly manner. The festival is spreading happiness and bringing people together. Families and children are enjoying their holidays. There is a festive atmosphere everywhere. Although the crowd is very large, people are showing patience and cooperation. There is a lot of warmth and affection among people, and it feels wonderful to be here," Singh told ANI.
The Shimla Summer Festival is among Himachal Pradesh's biggest cultural attractions and draws thousands of tourists every year. Even after the festival ended, visitors continued to gather at Ridge and Mall Road to enjoy the cool weather and festive atmosphere of the hill town.
