Snow and Navratri spark tourism surge in Himachal Tourist numbers in Himachal Pradesh saw a significant rise following recent snowfall, with Manali experiencing heavy crowds and devotees flocking to sacred sites on the first day of Navratri. The snowfall, which has persisted for three days, has drawn both nature enthusiasts and religious pilgrims to the region. Devotees gathered at various shaktipeeths and temples, seeking blessings for a prosperous year ahead. The snowfall has also benefited the local tourism industry, with hotel occupancy rates surging. In Manali and surrounding areas of Lahaul and Spiti, intermittent snowfall has created ideal conditions for winter tourism. Gondla in Lahaul and Spiti district received 13 cm of snow, while Keylong, Kukumseri, Hansa, and Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded 12 mm, 11.4 cm, 10 cm, and 0.4 cm of snow respectively. However, vehicle access beyond Solang Valley was restricted due to heavy snow accumulation. Industry leaders welcomed the boost in tourism, noting that the snowfall could extend into summer, attracting visitors to high-altitude regions. Roshan Thakur, president of the Manali Hoteliers Association, stated that the snowfall is a boon for the tourism sector. Similarly, Gajender Thakur, president of the Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Association, predicted hotel occupancy could reach 70% over the weekend. The snowfall has also brought relief to agricultural areas, with farmers expressing hope that the moisture will replenish soil levels. Manali resident Fateh Chand highlighted the positive impact of the rain on crops. Meanwhile, religious sites such as Brajeshwari Devi and Chamunda Mata in Kangra district, Chintpurni in Una district, and Sri Naina Devi in Bilaspur opened early, welcoming devotees who gathered for the nine-day Navratri festival.#himachal_pradesh #navratri #manali #shaktipeeths #kali_bari
