Himachal Winter Carnival 2020: Everything You Need to Know About the Do

It’s hard to leave the blanket on a frosty morning with a toasty mug of coffee! But here is a thing that can make you leave it for good and that is the most fun and prominent Himachal Winter Carnival! The winter carnival is an annual affair that is celebrated for 5 days and is organised by the state government. The idea behind this carnival is to boost tourism in the state, spread awareness about the exotic skiing destinations and celebrate the culture, folk art, food, heritage and natural beauty that is an innate part of Himachal Pradesh.

History and Facts of Manali Winter Carnival at a Glance

• Not many people know that the Himachal Winter Carnival began its journey from 1977 when it was organised for the first time. This adventure and cultural extravaganza have been a regular state affair for nearly four decades now. It was inaugurated by the late Dr. Y. S. Parmar, the then Chief Minister of the state.

• Do you know that the winter carnival is closely related to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. The entire event was the brainchild of Shri Harnam Singh, the founder of this institute. The carnival was inaugurated to bring the skiing culture and the exotic skiing locations of the state in limelight.

• Interestingly, in the initial years, the carnival was participated by professional skiers and experts from Gulmarg Skii School, HAWS and ITBP.

• Later, cultural events and skiing competitions were organised simultaneously as a result of which the footfall at the event increased and the event became a huge hit among the locals and the tourists alike.

• Besides skiing championships and cultural performances, a lot of other entertainment activities and programs are lined up to amuse the visitors. Some other key highlights of the carnival include Street Plays, Adventure Sports, Food Festival, Fashion Shows, Fancy Dress competitions for kids and a lot more.

Fun Highlights of the Himachal Winter Carnival in India

Carnival Parade

The carnival begins with a parade at the Mall Road in Manali which is mandatory to take part in for the participants who are appearing in various competitions. Here boys and girls wear traditional dresses or dress according to the theme if there is any. The enthusiastic crowd cheers for them and the whole ambiance becomes joyful and delightful to look at. The winners of Carnival Parade are granted a cash prize of Rs.25,000, Rs.15,000 and Rs.10,000 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions respectively.

Competitions 

Besides skiing competitions, Manali winter carnival also holds many other competitions in which local people and visitors can take part. Winter Queen competition, Classical Dance, Voice of Carnival, Street Dance, Bollywood Dance, Fashion Show, and Fancy Dress competition are some most popular ones among others. The winners get cash prizes. To take part in these competitions the participants are required to register in advance and qualify the preliminary rounds in order to perform at this state-level event.

Adventure Sports

If in Himachal Pradesh you will never get short of adventure sports to indulge in. You may opt for skiing, trekking, camping, ice skating, biking in the mountains and more.

Crafts Bazaar 

The crafts bazaar is participated by local artisans and artists who display their artifacts for sale. You may buy handwoven shawls, caps, and stoles along with wooden home decor items. 

Food Festival 

This winter carnival is also an opportunity for you to relish some hot and exotic traditional dishes of Himachal Pradesh. Though there are a lot of dishes from starters to the main course to taste but a few must-haves in this long list are: Chana Madra, Dham, Siddu, Babru, Aktori, Tudkiya Bhath, Chha Ghost, Lotus Stem, Kullu Trout Fish, and Mittha.        

Manali Winter Carnival 2020 Dates

The 2020 edition of the carnival has already commenced and will end on January 6. This year a lot of fun activities have been lined up to engage and entertain the visitors. People from all age groups can enjoy the carnival as it has something for everyone!

Now that you know everything about the Manali Winter Carnival head towards the city and witness this vibrant extravaganza in its full glory.