Srinagar, Dec 30: Jammu and Kashmir will experience a subdued start to the New Year as the Valley observes a seven-day mourning period for former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024. The Union Government has declared national mourning, lasting until January 1, 2025, during which official celebrations, including those in the Valley, have been suspended.
Dr. Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related health complications. In honor of his passing, the Union Government has ordered the postponement of all official functions and the lowering of the national flag to half-mast.
In Kashmir, this means that the usual New Year’s Eve festivities, including grand events in popular tourist spots such as Gulmarg and Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, will not be held. Last year, Gulmarg hosted a live performance by singer Aabha Hanjura and a laser show, but the Tourism Department has confirmed that no official events will take place this year due to the mourning period.
Raja Yaqoob, Director of Tourism Kashmir, stated that while New Year celebrations will be skipped, winter carnival events will begin once the mourning period concludes. The Pahalgam Winter Carnival is set to start on January 2, 2024, and the Gulmarg Winter Carnival is scheduled for mid-January. Other locations like Sonamarg, Doothapthri, and Lolab will also host tourism events later in the season.
Despite the absence of official celebrations, tourism in the Valley remains strong. The season’s first snowfall has attracted both domestic and international tourists to Kashmir’s snowy landscapes. Gulmarg, a premier skiing destination, has seen a surge in bookings, with hotel managers reporting high inquiry volumes and expecting a busy tourist season, even with the quiet start to the year.
