By: Rakesh Lohumi, Sr. Editor-ICN Group
SHIMLA: The sight of cottony snowflakes wafting down lazily from the overcast skies is indeed mesmerising. The landscape undergoes a dramatic change as the specks of white settle down all over the place– on the trees, rooftops, power lines, roadside railings, grassy slopes, bushes and the ground.
It is a feast for the eyes as the Nature’s brush extends the white mantle across the hills in no time, lending an ethereal beauty to the scenery. The best of human efforts cannot create anything like it. The snow virtually transforms the most colourless and dull winter landscape into a fairyland.
The tourists and the local are equally delighted. The impact is so overpowering that the extreme cold condition do not bother them at all. They venture out in falling snow to engage in the most popular game of snowballing. Its no organised sport but sheer fun, full of excitement. Sliding or rolling down on the snow covered slopes is even more thrilling.
The magical snowscape provides the ideal settings for photo shoot and tourists, particular the young honeymooning couples, make the best of the opportunity. Once the snow starts melting, it is all over. The historic Ridge with imposing Christ Church and the Scandal Point on the Mall, the most popular points, saw the endless photo sessions.
Making snowman is another wonderful activity that enthrals both the locals and the tourists who join hands to put together funny looking snow statues. The current spell of snow saw a surfeit of snowman. Normally the snow reveller chooses a sun-shadowed portion to ensure that their creation lasts longer.
Nowadays owners encourage and even help in making snowman in front of their showrooms as it not only attracts public attention but also serves as a means of publicity. The tourists vie to get them photographed with the snowman and in the process the picture of showrooms get free publicity across a host of social media platforms like facebook and whatsapp.
A heavy snowfall like also sets the stage for a variety of winter sports like skiing, heli-skiing and the indigenously developed, bungee sledging. Now only high altitude areas like Solang Nullah and Narkanda are the only regular venues left for skiing. Until 1980s famous tourist resort of Kufri near here , used to host national winter games. However, it is no longer suitable for winter sports activities because of o erratic and declining snow.
Incidentally, the fascinating sport of skiing was first introduced by the British in India at Illalqua slopes, near Dharamsala, in 1906. However, It could not be developed as a regular venue because of its inaccessibility. Subsequently, Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir emerged as a popular ski resort. While Kufri faded out from the winter sports map, Auli in Uttrakhand emerged as the new centre with the entire modern ski infrastructure.
