Ehsan Fazili/Srinagar

While Kashmir finally experienced a delayed snowfall in the peak winter called Chillai Kalan, the Valley hasn’t been shunned by tourists. To make the most of the peak winter when temperatures dip to sub-zero, carnivals are being organized across the valley to sustain the tourists’ interest.

The winter carnivals are being planned in a phased manner in key tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg.

Usually, tourists visit Kashmir during summer but over the years, the authorities and tourism operators have been working on encouraging winter tourism. This year places like Verinag and Kokernag in South Kashmir and Yusmarg and Dodhpathri in central Kashmir are being promoted as winter tourism destinations.

Playing Volleyball in the snowbound Gulmarg

“Winter carnivals are also being organized at Gulmarg and Pahalgam on the eve of New Year,” Fazalul Haseeb, Director, Department of Tourism, Kashmir, told Awaz-the voice. Haseeb said that Yusmarg and Dodhpathri are also going to hold similar carnivals early next month.

These two destinations remain snowbound during winter months and are being opened for tourism this year. These would be open for day trips for tourists this winter, the Director of Tourism said. The authorities claim the roads to these places will be cleared of snow.

Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Tourism, claims all efforts are being put in to make winter carnivals more vibrant and attractive. He said the Kashmir valley has been witnessing an encouraging footfall of tourists during winter and the authorities want to make the most of this trend.

Cultural show during the Pahalgam winter carnival

To herald the onset of Chilai Kalan, a houseboat festival was held in Srinagar’s Dal Lake. “Many snow-related recreational activities have been planned for the Gulmarg carnival. The tourists can ski at Doodpathri and Sonmarg too,” an official said.

Also for the first time, Sinthan Pass was kept open for tourists on the first day of Chilai Kalan (December 21). Sinthan Top connects Kashmir valley with Kishtwar, Jammu. The move was aimed at promoting winter tourism in Kokernag and providing motorable conditions to the people of far-off areas.

Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Basharat Qayoom said that the promotion of winter tourism is a priority area, and steps like these are aimed at inviting tourists to explore beautiful destinations at such times in the year when they are usually inaccessible.

A view of the Sinthan Pass

During his recent visit to Pahalgam, Director of Tourism said that the resort, is fast “emerging as a major winter tourist destination and the department is committed to putting it on the tourist map for winter tourism”. He said that increasingly the winter festivals will be made more vibrant and activities oriented to create and sustain the interest of tourists.

The ongoing Pahalgam Winter festival that began on December 25 will have a grand finale on December 31.

The number of tourists arriving in the valley has been increasing during the past three years, as these numbers in the post-August 5, 2019 era have broken all the previous records. The highest-ever number of tourists arriving in Kashmir has crossed the mark of 22 lahks in the year 2022.

A local artist displaying her products in the Pahalgam Winter Carnival

The tourist footfall in 2021 has been registered at 665814, higher than 41267 in 2020, when the Covid-19 restrictions and protocol were in force.

This year, so far 14 lakh tourists have visited Gulmarg which is a two-and-a-half-fold increase making the meadow the favourite of tourist destinations.

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The place sees good footfall in winter months when tourists enjoy winter sports like snow skiing and skating