Manali starts celebrating Winter Carnival 2019; do not miss

Manali has started its mage 4-day long winter carnival from January 2, 2019. As per the news reports, Manali Winter Carnival 2019 is expected to attract a lot of both domestic and international tourists. While the celebrations started yesterday, winter sports have been postponed due to inadequate snowfall on the slopes of Solang Valley.
This time, the winter carnival has all the components to cater to every type of travellers. The prominent attractions of the said festival will be crafts bazaar, Himachali Food Festival, folk dances, local band competition, and street play.

Manali SDM Raman Gharsangi, who is also the Vice President of Winter Carnival, said that the event will showcase the rich culture and traditions of Himachal Pradesh, and it is touted to be a big tourist attraction. He also informed that efforts will be made to encourage tourists to come and participate in the winter carnival. The 250 m stretch of the Manali Mall, i.e., from Ram Bagh Chowk to Ibex Chowk has been earmarked for carrying out the carnival activities during the festival.
A man’s personality and winter queen contest will be one of the prime attractions of Manali Carnival 2019. Reportedly, audition for the said contest will be held in Chandigarh on December 8, in Shimla on December 10, in Mandi on December 12, and in Manali on December 14.
The origin of Manali Winter carnival dates back to 1977, and it was the brainchild of Harnam Singh, the founder of Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. Manu Rang Shala organises the cultural events. From the year 1985 to 1922, Manu Kala Kendra conducted the carnival. However, the festival started becoming popular and eventually earned the status of State Level Foundation.

In 1999, P K Dhumal, who was the then Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, while inaugurating the 2010 Carnival, made the announcement to turn the Manali Carnival into a state-level affair. Since then the Carnival has become a chief event in the cultural calendar of Himachal Pradesh and now it is celebrated with much fanfare each year.