A season of a plate of hot Pakoras & hotter Chais, Winters in India are usually waited with bated breath and an inexplicable longing. Majorly experienced during the months of Dec & Jan it’s a very short affair compared to a good 10 months of sweltering heat and Blazing sun, well Monsoons do come in as a reprise but Summers in India are a non ending tale.
Still the vast geographical expanse does give us a few places to look forward to in Winters. A colder & a harsher winter is predicted this year due to La Nina Conditions. It is a recurring phenomenon and the change in temperature is accompanied by changes in the patterns of upper and lower level winds, sea level pressure, and tropical rainfall across the Pacific Basin. It’s not good news for places with extreme air pollution especially the likes of Delhi where Covid19 has already taken a toll. Yet here are a few places in India where we have nearly dreamy Winters!
Auli, Uttarakhand:
Auli is a Himalayan ski resort and hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. Encapsulated by coniferous and oak forests it’s as good as a place straight out of dream. It also is surrounded by the Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat mountains. A long cable car links Auli to the town of Joshimath. North of Auli has the colorful & Divine Badrinath Temple and the Valley of Flowers National Park, with its alpine flora and wildlife like snow leopards and red foxes. With snow-draped peaks on every side and tranquility abound, Auli is the ultimate winter destination.
Manali, Himachal Pradesh:
A resort town in northern Himachal Manali is fondly known as the Honeymoon town. With towering snow-capped Himalayan peaks and stunning valleys, Manali is a beautiful place year-round, and perhaps at its best in winter. It is also known as the backpacking center. Located on the Beas River, it’s a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It’s also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting, and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal mountains, home to 4,000m-high Rohtang Pass.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh:
Rightly the capital of Himachal, Shimla was once the summer resort of the British. Shimla is the most popular base for treks. In winter, there is skiing at Kufri and Narkanda from January to mid-March. Shopping is a relishing experience at some of Shimla’s most lively and colorful markets like Lakkar Bazaar. The Kalka- Shimla railway line is an engineering marvel that is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Also known as the Queen of Hills, Shimla is a winter spectacle from December until February.
Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat:
One of the biggest salt deserts in the world, the great Rann of Kutch in the Gujarat state of India is famed for its natural splendor. The best time to visit this Marvel is during Winters where the inhabitants organise the great ‘Rann mahotsav’. Every winter lakhs of visitors descend on the world’s biggest salt desert – Rann of Kutch stretching 7,505 square miles in the Thar Desert.
“Have you seen this Underrated places to visit in India?“
Gulmarg and Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir:
Nestled in the pit panjal range this abode is said to be one of Nature’s creations which even God would love to visit. Popular for both family and Honeymoon trips there are a lot of winter sports activities which are organized in this part of the valley for the tourists who throng in. Trip to Gulmarg is magical year-round, but when winter arrives, it takes on new hues with the entire town blanketed in white.
Goa:
The beaches of Goa are somewhere you can be at any time of the year but the sweltering climate otherwise makes it a little uncomfortable during peak summers. The cool breeze and the coastal effect make it a much popular Destination during Winters. People who don’t enjoy the chills too much the pleasant climate of Goa during Winters’s would be a perfect choice with His hosting one of its biggest festivals the Sunburn festival!
Kerala:
Popularly known for monsoons, Winters are one time where you can catch the Scenic marvel Kerala is minus getting drenched. The climate is not very wintery but not humid or drenching either. With a pleasant one at other places. The popular ones like Munnar, Wayanad, etc are quite cold and a calming experience. If you find yourself down south during winters (December-February), then make a beeline for ‘God’s Own Country’.
Rajasthan:
It doesn’t call for a ‘stay inside blanket’s’ kinda climate but hop out and relish in the Colors and heritage kind of one. The colorful Rajasthan flaunts its best of colors during this season. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur, or Bikaner. Go anywhere, you come back with a colorful chest of memories. Right from the cuisines to the folklore and Handloom everything in this part of the country is noteworthy! Winter is the ideal time to visit the Land of Maharajas and experience its regal culture and tradition.
Shillong, Meghalaya:
Extremely cold Shillong is one of the most popular honeymoon Destinations, You can Better be blanketed. One place which witnesses an array of climatic changes and kaleidoscope of nature. Winters around here are quite cold but there isn’t much of a snowfall. This capital city of Meghalaya is a picturesque hill station that is in full bloom during winter.
Kohima, Nagaland:
Most popular for it’s trekking Experiences and the tribal activities Kohima is one of the popular destinations in India. Dzukou valley and Japfu Peak offer one of the most breathtaking landscapes of the region. Nagaland is called the ‘Switzerland of the East’ and Dzukou valley and Japfu Peak provide solid proof to that. Kohima’s winter highlight is the Hornbill festival held in December.
Warm up the Kulhads and get the wools ready with not much tourism happening abroad. The winter destinations in India are going to be much in demand this winter!