Snowfall- The Charm of Winter

"Sun Shine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind brushes us up and snow is exhilarating”

As the monsoon ends and winter begins to set in, people buy bulky coats and gloves, they start arranging heating systems and spend as little time as possible outdoors. One year back, i was among those. I never loved winter and the reasons was that cold restricted me from having fun. But now, it is not a trouble anymore for me, even this is the season i wait for throughout the year. And this feeling is very new to me.

The majestic charm that pulled me last winter at the place where real beauty lies, was snowfall.

Frozen white sheets bewilder us forming a beautiful landscape and takes the viewer into fantasy world of snow. What can one think of more than the enchantment of the forest clothed into white hallows of snow. It is so ecstatic viewing mother nature spraying its charm which personifies through every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig, clad with radiance.

When winter descends almost everyone has some plans in their kitty, mostly to go snow places. In India we do have numerous destinations which ideally makes India snow wrathing heaven.

SNOW FALL PLACES IN INDIA :

Himachal Pradesh - India's most favorite Himalaya destination, Himachal Pradesh is blessed with high mountains, snow covered peaks, beautiful hills and slopes. For its snow capped hills Kullu manali, shimla and Dalhousie are the well known spots.

The climate and weather of Himachal Pradesh depends on the altitude, that varies from semi arctic to semi tropical region. Heavy snowfall is recorded during this season (October to February) therefore winters are very severe. The entire place seems to be enveloped in a white cloak of snow at this time.

Gangtok- Capital of Sikkim, Gangtok is famed for its super chilled weather and wonderful orchids. All twelve months of the year are rainy in Gangtok. You forget everything once you get glimpse of those snowy chain of mountains.

Standard variations of weather is seen in Gangtok throughout the year. The minimum temperature in the months of December and January. Fog is common in Gangtok during the months starting from the month of May till the month of December. One can observe regular Snowfall on the upper reaches of Gangtok.

Darjeeling-The clean fresh mountain air, the verdant hills and valleys and the vast stretches of lush green tea gardens makes Darjeeling the queen of all the hill stations of India.

The average range of temperature 5 °C to 7 °C and winters (December to January) have a cool climate. Minimum temperature this season can be freezing –2 °C. The place also receives occasional snowfall with frequent hailstorms. There is heavy snowfall in the months of January and February during winters and Darjeeling pristine white with snow. The people who wish to enjoy the typical winter chill it becomes the ideal burrow place.

Tourists visiting Ghoom, the highest point in Darjeeling (Heritage toy train makes its route visible through) and Tiger Hill witness the awesome sight of the sun rising. They also take in the breathtaking sight in gulps. The entire hill range gets engulfed in white. The pine trees all over the hill station get enveloped with a white sheet.

Auli - Auli a picturesque Himalayan destination located in Chamoli district within the hill state of Uttarakhand in India. Auli, cradled in the Garhwal Himalayas, is amongst the most well known skiing resorts of India. Snowfall is quite a regular phenomenon in Auli since the temperature can plummet to -4 degree Celsius during the winter season. It is during this season that tourists visit Auli to enjoy snow skiing.

The winters are sunny during the daytime while the nights are very cold with temperatures falling below the zero degree mark easily. During the months of January - March, Auli is packed with skiing enthusiasts. Various National skiing championships are conducted here. The beautifully snow blanketed slope of Auli are dotted with coniferous vegetation that cut wind velocity to a minimum, thus promising the skiers a thrilling experience.

Jammu and Kashmir - The snow covered mountain peaks and numerous unexplored trails of Jammu & Kashmir make it a favored adventure sports destination. Winters in Kashmir are exhilarating as the temperature drops to zero and below zero degrees. Lakes and pools transform into sheets of ice.

Most parts of Kashmir receive heavy snow fall during the winter season. Snow Skiing, winter games and river rafting are some of the most sought after adventure sports activities, which have won international accredition for many of the state's destinations. Hundreds of tourists can be seen all around the state frolicking in the snow and having a good time.

I also experienced the winter's beauty and felt the joy of bone chilling temperature ( even below than -20 degree) during snowfall. No doubt, cold was there but somehow I didn't mind because I was distracted by the nature's beauty and snow activities which included skating, skiing, snowboarding and ice carving. So what are you waiting for? Now, gather your friends/family, choose the destination you love to go and make your winter chilly and mesmerizing with crystal shower of snowfall.