Delighting the senses and embracing the spirit of winter, the valleys of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kashmir were embraced by a fresh cover of snow, transforming them into captivating landscapes. Social media was abuzz with pictures and videos of this enchanted scenery, with ‘snowfall’ becoming a trending topic due to people sharing their joy-filled experiences amidst the soft white splendor.
A particularly memorable visual contribution came from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who posted a video of a train slicing through the pillowy white snow along the tracks of the Kashmir Valley. The clip begins with the train forging onward through the snowfall at a robust pace, all within the serene surroundings of the Baramulla – Banihal section. Vaishnaw captioned the video in Hindi, celebrating the ‘Snowfall in the valleys of Kashmir!’ and highlighting a scene capable of stopping viewers in their tracks with its picturesque exquisiteness.
The magic of the snow-laden valley drew widespread adoration online, accruing over 18,000 likes and a string of comments filled with wonder and praise. One user exclaimed the video showcased ‘Mesmerising beauty,’ while another simply declared it ‘Very beautiful.’ Some were reminded of international snowy retreats, with one commenter asserting, ‘Wow! Seems Its in Switzerland!’ and another expressing nostalgia for the landscapes of Belgium, Sweden, and Germany. The train video was a touchpoint of nature’s beauty, galvanizing onlookers and inspiring a longing for distant winter paradises.
Meanwhile, a different facet of winter’s charm was evident at the Gulmarg Ski Resort, a winter sports haven enjoying an enthusiastic patronage due to sudden snowfall after a prolonged dry period. The resort, with its array of slopes and tracks, has become a delectable destination for snow aficionados. Tourists keen on adventure and nature’s splendors rushed to Gulmarg, enchanted by visions of snow-sheathed mountains and the ever-enticing possibility of traveling via cable car, skiing down gentle slopes, or sledging merrily down the hills.
The charm of Gulmarg’s wintertime is magnetic, pulling in an array of visitors who are eager to take in the valley’s matchless beauty and engage in joyful exploits. Local communities, including shopkeepers, skiing instructors, taxi services, and sledge operators, rejoiced in the economic boon brought by holidaymakers. Their livelihoods, enlivened by the season’s bonanza, comprise an integral piece of the winter mosaic that is Gulmarg’s splendrous snowy season, creating memories and merriment for all who traverse its white-wrapped domain.