All about the Manali Winter Carnival 2022
Manali will become more than just a tourist spot for 5 days this winter. The town is getting ready to deck up from January 2 to January 6, 2022 for the Manali Winter Carnival, a cultural festival made to attract tourists, which has become something of an annual must-go event for the people of that region too.
What happens in the Manali Winter Carnival?
The highlights of the Carnival are the Carnival Parade, Voice of Winter Carnival and Winter Queen contests, the folk, Bollywood and classical dance competitions, region-wise talent shows and street plays that attract crowds. Like all festivals, yummy street food and local food stalls entice visitors, local handicrafts and textiles are up on sale, and many holidayers from cities go on a winter clothes shopping binge. This year is extra-special, since the Carnival was cancelled in 2021 due to COVID19.
What are the unique attractions of the Manali Winter Carnival?
Apart from the colourful programmes to woo tourists, the Carnival is a good opportunity to participate in winter sports like skiing and snowboarding in the Solang valley nearby. 120 Mahila Mandals, that’s an estimated 4000 local women, have agreed to participate in the festival this year. Their dances to folk songs from Kulu are worth seeing on the picturesque Mall Road. The beauty pageant is also quite unique, given that it happens outdoors. So the ramp walk can happen in sub-zero temperature, and it has even happened under snowfall! Apart from the usual rounds, one special round has competitors dressed up in Himachali traditional outfit. An important addition this year is the venture by the state government to plant some 5000 saplings in the area and extend the green cover, which is under threat from indiscriminate building of hotels. Group cleanliness campaigns would be run before and after events, which are supposed to be 100% plastic free.
When and how did the Manali Winter Carnival start?
The origin of Winter Carnival goes back to 1977. Interestingly, the Winter Carnival was the brainchild of Harnam Singh, founder, Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Manali. He felt that the Carnival might bring more people to winter sports, especially skiing. So the Carnival started with skiing competitions on the Solang valley with active participation by professionals. Harnam Singh was pleasantly surprised at its popularity, so he looped cultural events by the local Manu Rang Shala. Thereafter, the festival grew till it became a national event, and is now a very popular venue for tourists and winter sports enthusiasts.