snow in india

A snow-covered field Tangmarg area of Baramulla District, Jammu & Kashmir

Cold appears to be coming down hard in several places across northern India, with ‘cold day’ to ‘severe cold day’ conditions expected to prevail across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh for another few days.
Meanwhile, some places in the north and northeast are all set for some alluring seasonal snowfall as the new year approaches. While the snowfall has been comparatively less around Christmas this year, a fresh western disturbance is set to turn fortunes from December 30 onwards, as it affects the weather around the Himalayan Region.
The Weather Channel takes a look at five states and the magical tourist destinations within, which you could visit this holiday season to get a taste of pristine snowfall:
The Land of Sunrise: Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang Monastery in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
(Credits: Kamalendu Bhadra/TOI, Kolkata, BCCL)While trace amounts of snowfall is falling over the mountainous parts of Arunachal Pradesh, The Weather Channel’s Met Team says the northern half of the state is likely to experience widespread snowfall in the first week of 2020.
With that in mind, the beautiful town of Tawang is one of the places to be visited for sure. Apart from its undeniable natural beauty, it is also wrapped in a scent of spirituality. World-famous for being the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, it is also full of Buddhist monasteries, including the Tawang Monastery—a very sacred monastery for the Buddhists.
Bomdila, with its snow-clad Himalayan mountain ranges and lush greenery, is another place to explore this holiday season. Situated 8,000 feet above sea level, this tourist destination is known for Orchid and Wildlife Sanctuaries, and the Dirang Valley, which lies between Bomdila and Tawang. It is also home to the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Land of Mystique: Sikkim
Village home stay at Pastanga, near Gangtok, Sikkim
(Credits: Sudipto Das/TOI, Kolkata, BCCL)The whole of Sikkim is likely to experience snowfall at the start of 2020—heavier falls towards the north, and lighter as you progress southwards.
Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley, all of which are located in North Sikkim, are some of the best places to visit in the entire state. Lachen, a distant northern village that is home to the Tibetan nomadic tribes, stands out as the most famous location to experience snowfall all across Sikkim. Lachung, located less than 50 km away from Lachen, is another high altitude village inhabited by the Tibetan and Bhutia people. Yumthang is a picturesque valley bounded by snow-capped mountains.
If you are into trekking and winter sports, Gangtok, in east Sikkim, is the perfect place for you. The state capital is popular for its sports grounds for skiing and ice skating activities. The Tsomgo lake, located just 38 km away from Gangtok, is also a must-see, primarily due to the migratory birds and beautiful flowers that are constantly on display here.
Land of the Gods: Uttarakhand
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Varying degrees of snowfall have been forecast in the northern half of Uttarakhand starting December 31, 2019, according to TWC Met Team.Dehradun, the state capital, is one of the best places to visit this holiday season. Its geographical location provides you with a diverse view, with the Himalayan ranges and the rivers Ganga and Yamuna visible on either side of the city. Apart from the natural beauty, which includes waterfalls and caves too, Dehradun is also famous for its splendid architectural constructions. The beautiful Mussoorie, dubbed the ‘Queen of Hills’, is located approximately 34 km away from the capital.
The district of Almora, located in the eastern parts of the state, is as good as a heaven for nature lovers. Apart from offering spell-binding views of the Himalayas, this place is also famous for its delicious cuisine, handicrafts, wildlife sanctuaries and hippie trails.
A variety of pilgrim places such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kedarnath, and Badrinath are also worth visiting, not necessarily for snowfall, but a spiritual experience. Places where you can, in fact, expect snowfall this season are Auli, Munsyari, Joshimath, Uttarkashi, Chopta and Dhanaulti.
Apple State: Himachal Pradesh
At present, the state of Himachal Pradesh is experiencing a strange combination of sunny conditions and freezing point temperatures. However, starting December 30, a majority of the state, excluding the westernmost stretch, is expected to receive snowfall once again, as per IMD’s regional Met Office.Amid snowfall, Kullu-Manali, one of the most well-known north Indian tourist destinations, is also the most recommended one in Himachal Pradesh, as it offers a variety of experiences. Located on the banks of the river Beas, Kullu was earlier known as ‘Kulanthpitha’, which means ‘the end of the habitable world’. Like Kullu, Manali too offers scenic views of snow-capped mountains. However, the latter offers you a chance to test your fitness levels in the sheer cold conditions too, as it is known for its adventure and sporting facilities.
Dharamshala, engulfed with snow-capped mountains on three sides and a valley on another, offers mind-boggling views in every direction. Home to Tibetian refugees and their culture, this place is known to attract tourists from all around the world, which fly in to get a glimpse of Tibet.
Paradise on Earth: Jammu & Kashmir
The entirety of Jammu & Kashmir appears set to receive another wave of snowfall from December 31 onwards, and this newly-formed union territory (UT) is a site that should not be missed during its prime glory in winters.The hill station of Gulmarg, for instance, is an absolute must-see if you visit this region, due to the snowfall it receives. Its beauty has led visitors to name it ‘heaven on Earth’. Moreover, the abundance of snow makes it one of the most popular destinations for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports.
Srinagar, the capital of Jammu & Kashmir tourism, is another destination that cannot be missed, in spite of its rather touristy nature. Dubbed the heart of J&K, Srinagar offers you visits to the iconic Dal Lake, the floating markets and the charming Old City bridges over river Jhelum.
Jammu, the UT’s winter capital, is the perfect combination of a city and a hill station. This beautiful location is also the starting point for pilgrimages that go to Vaishno Devi and the Kashmir Valley. From palaces to temples to parks, Jammu has a variety of places for you to explore.