Recently Neha visited Manali, when seasons first snowfall happened. This Photo Journey shares some of the beautiful photographs of Manali town with white sheet all around. Manali town looks beautiful after fresh snowfall and that's when one can enjoy the snow in best way. Fresh snowfall makes a place beautiful and after a while the same snow creates mess, if not handled properly. Whenever Kullu valley gets snowfall, many of the tourists from Delhi, Chandigarh and various parts of Haryana/Punjab start moving towards Manali.
Above photograph looks so poetic. Beas river surrounded by snow covered landscapes having symmetrical trees as a background.
Usually tourists visit Rohtang Pass to see snow which is usually not that fresh. Fresh snow is always very special. It's fluffy texture makes it special. As it gets old, some part of the snow starts melting and it starts becoming ice which is hard. And after few days, dust starts settling down on this snow and it looks horrible. If you have ever visited Rohtang, you know what I am talking about.
Ten years back snowfall pattern was quite predictable and most of the times, snow used to happen in the month of december. Most of the tourists used to prefer Shimla and Manali for Christmas or New Year vacations. For last few years, this pattern was broken and hills were getting first snowfall in January or February. Many of the folks associated with Tourism must be very happy this year. Snowfall in the month of december is definitely a good indicator for a profitable tourist season.
Hills around Manali look amazing after snowfall. But at the same time, it restrict you to move around. Most of the basic facilities get disrupted and connecting roads gets blocked. It becomes difficult to go to some of the interesting places like Naggar Castle, Solang Nala, Marhi, Rohtang, Manikaran, Kasol, Malana etc.
Snowfall in these hill stations is definitely very exciting for tourists, but for local folks it's a temporary fun and suddenly many of the facilities stop working for next few weeks. Electricity cuts become normal and imagine living around snow without electricity. Although folks have figured out right ways to deal with these situations but still not having electricity and water for 6 days is big deal.
Thanks Neha for sharing these beautiful photographs from Manali.