By Sunil SonkarMussoorie, 22 Dec: Mussoorie is once again ready for a vibrant celebration. The world-renowned Winterline Carnival will begin this year on 24 December and will continue until 30 December. This year’s carnival will be special in many ways, as it is dedicated to the Silver Jubilee of Uttarakhand state and the 100th birth anniversary of Indramani Badoni.Regarding the carnival preparations, Mussoorie SDM Rahul Anand and Municipal Chairperson Meera Saklani jointly launched the programme brochure and outlined the grand seven-day event. They stated that, this year, special priority has been given to local culture and artists in the carnival. Approximately 95 percent of the artists will be local artists from Uttarakhand, who will captivate the audience with folk music, folk dances, and cultural performances.During the carnival, events such as processions, cultural evenings, a food festival of Pahari (hill) cuisine, a motor bike rally, a marathon, stargazing, and heritage walks will be organised. A Bollywood night will make the audience dance. Performances by artists from Himachal Pradesh and Bhojpuri artists will also be a major attraction. Special sessions of Sufi music and Qawwali will also be held.The organisers said that keeping in mind everyone from children to the elderly, programmes will be organised at five major locations in Mussoorie, including Mall Road, Landour, George Everest House, and other areas. Along with sports activities, adventure sports will also be a part of the carnival, which will be a special attraction for the youth.SDM Rahul Anand said that it is likely that the carnival will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The administration is making elaborate arrangements for security, parking, and cleanliness. Considering the increasing number of tourists, additional police forces will also be deployed to ensure that no one faces any inconvenience. Mussoorie’s Winterline Carnival is not just a celebration, but also a golden opportunity to witness the rare natural phenomenon called ‘Winterline’, which is visible in only a few places in the world. This is why thousands of tourists from India and abroad flock to Mussoorie every year during this time.The carnival will begin on 24 December with a grand cultural procession from Survey Ground to Library Chowk at 12 p.m. This will be followed by performances by the ITBP and CRPF bands. In the afternoon, the inaugural ceremony is scheduled to take place in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with auspicious songs and performances by local cultural groups. In the evening, at the Municipal Town Hall, under the banner of ‘Historical Night’, a documentary based on the life of Indramani Badoni, folk cultural programmes, and enactments of tales of bravery and sacrifice will be presented. Tourists will also be able to enjoy a unique stargazing experience at Garhwal Terrace.During the carnival, activities such as nature photography, trekking, and bird watching will be organised in Company Bagh, Char Dukaan, Hathipaon, and the George Everest area. The Cartography Museum located at George Everest will also be a major attraction for tourists.Every day, performances of Garhwali, Kumaoni, Jaunsari, Himachali, Gorkhali, and Sufi music will be held at Gandhi Chowk, Shaheed Sthal, Landour, and Company Garden. Local artists will share the stage with renowned folk singers, bands, and dance troupes. Importantly, open platform events like ‘The Stage Is All Yours’ have also been organised every day, providing a platform for emerging talents.Every evening, cultural evenings with different themes will be held at the Municipal Town Hall. These include Sufiana Night, Romantic Musical Night, Mixed Folk Night, Let’s Dance and Rap Night, and Rhythm and Resonance Night. Bollywood, Qawwali, Awadhi-Bhojpuri songs, along with rap and fusion music, will also attract young people.A sports bike rally will be held from Dehradun to Mussoorie on 28 December, which will be a major attraction for the youth. Along with this, a fashion show of traditional attire, a comedy show, and a karate demonstration will also add to the festivities.On 29 December, the closing and awards ceremony will be held at Shaheed Sthal, where the winners of various competitions and participating artists will be honoured. In the evening, the carnival will conclude memorably with a performance by the Himnad band and renowned singer Nikhil D’Souza at the Municipal Town Hall.
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