Mussoorie, Uttarakhand: The Queen of Hills, Mussoorie, has come alive once again with culture, music, and tourism as the Winterline Carnival 2025 officially began on Wednesday. The festival opened with a grand cultural parade at Survey Ground, where a spectacular flower shower from a helicopter set the entire town in a festive mood. The carnival promises a vibrant celebration for tourists visiting the hills during the New Year season.
Grand Cultural Procession
The parade started at Survey Ground and passed through Landour Bazaar, Clock Tower, and Kulri Mall Road, culminating at Gandhi Chowk. Artists from cultural institutions like Garhwal Sabha Mussoorie and Jhoomilo Group, along with students from various schools, participated enthusiastically. The streets resonated with the beats of drums and traditional music as performers in ethnic attire danced, captivating the local residents and visiting tourists.
Spectacular Performances at Gandhi Chowk
At Gandhi Chowk, the ITBP and CRPF bands performed, enthralling the crowd. Traditional folk dances and Mangalsongs were presented under the aegis of Swajan Shiksha Samiti, receiving immense appreciation from spectators.
Official Inauguration by Cabinet Minister
Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi inaugurated the Winterline Carnival at Gandhi Chowk. He highlighted that after the 2013 disaster, tourism in the state was severely impacted. The carnival, initiated in Mussoorie and Nainital to boost tourism and local business, has already shown positive results. The festival not only promotes tourism but also provides employment opportunities for locals, while giving national and international recognition to hill products, traditional cuisine, and handicrafts, strengthening the local economy.
Special Dedications
Minister Joshi announced that the first day of the carnival is dedicated to Indramani Badoni, known as the “Gandhi of Uttarakhand,” while the second day honors former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He remarked that without the formation of Uttarakhand, such a cultural platform would not have been possible.
A Unique Blend of Culture and Tourism
The Winterline Carnival has become a significant medium for promoting Uttarakhand’s rich folk culture. This year, special emphasis has been placed on traditional attire, folk music, dances, and local cuisine, allowing tourists to connect directly with the state’s cultural heritage.
Festivities to Continue Until 29 December
SDM Rahul Anand stated that the colorful cultural programs will continue until 29 December, with major events, including the Star Night, held at Town Hall. Adequate security arrangements have been made to manage the expected large tourist crowd.
Local Artists Shine
Folk artists like Karishma Shah, Ruhan Bhardwaj, Meena Rana, Gajendra Rana, and Saurabh Maithani from Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh will entertain audiences throughout the carnival. Additionally, a documentary film on the life and contributions of Indramani Badoni has been screened to great acclaim.
Boost to Tourism
Cabinet Minister Joshi emphasized that under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government is continuously promoting tourism. The homestay initiative has revitalized previously abandoned hill homes, providing a fresh direction for rural tourism. Though the Chief Minister could not attend the inauguration due to prior commitments, he is expected to visit Mussoorie during the carnival to personally celebrate the city’s cultural showcase.