Winter Wonder: Snow-clad J&K, HP woos tourists

New Delhi, Dec 18: It's winter time. Almost entire North India is reeling under cold wave. It has snowed in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Both states are experiencing temperature below zero degree Celsius. But that has not deterred tourists to flock across picturesque states of HP and J&K.

Weathermen say in the initial phase of winter, mercury dips only up to -8 degree Celsius in several places of HP. Later, in January, the minimum temperature dips to -20 degree Celsius in few places of HP. In Lahaul, HP, at about 11,000 feet, it plunges to below -30 degree Celsius.

The inclement weather causes lot of trouble for the residents of both HP and J&K. Right from roadblocks caused by snowfall to freezing water taps due to dip in temperatures, winter brings its woes to the northern states of India. However, as Christmas season has arrived, tourists from across India are heading to HP and J&K to experience the cold weather and snowfall.

"It looks like a paradise. Every year I come to Manali to spend my Christmas holidays with my family. I am sure to come back again," said 40-year-old home-maker Shilpa Goyal.

Beauty at its Best: Is it a picture or painting?

Kufri: Vehicles ply on a snow covered road during season's first snowfall at Kufri near Shimla on Tuesday.

Snow Show: Vehicles stranded in snow-clad Qazigund in J&K

Qazigund: A traffic jam at Jammu-Srinagar National highway near Qazigund on Monday.

Playtime: Children play with snow

Tourists enjoying after heavy snowfall in Manali on Sunday.

Washed in White: Thick blanket of snowfall covers the entire valley

A view of snow-clad valley in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Family Fun: Kid, Mother enjoy snowfall

People enjoy with snow at the hill resort of Dalhousie in Chamba district on Tuesday.

Last Man Standing

Qazigund: A man walks the street as snow falls in Qazigund in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

Its all white here!

A man walks in a snow covered parking lot after a heavy snowfall in Shimla on Firday.

Snow stroll

A man ventures out during the season's first snowfall at Kufri near Shimla on Tuesday.

Go slow my horse!

A man rides his horse-cart through a snow-covered road in Qazigund, Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

Army's tryst with snowfall

Central Reserve Police Force personnel carry out rescue operation for stranded passengers near Jawahar tunnel in Banihal on Saturday after heavy snowfall closed the route.

OneIndia News