Cold wave, known as a sheet leher, is here! Winter gets exciting! More Fun! And the cold vibes are something we all want to enjoy.
Plans become all the more active for some, while others may just not want to emerge from their winter hibernation. It’s quite thrilling to experience this weather every year specially when December hits till late January. Throughout India, the cold wave sways, making temperatures rock the weather. With the cold breeze comes the Mist and fog typically known as sheet leher. Whereas some towns experience this amazing phenomenon, and people tend to plan trips to move to these places and enjoy their winters, while some states or towns continue to be pleasant at normal temperatures, where just a hoodie is enough. Let’s look at some cold wave places where you can chill and get chilled.
A weather of intense cold and winters tends to be in Northern, central, and eastern India. From dense fog to cold days and cold waves, the weather is with minimum temperatures below normal. The visibility drops to near zero in the morning hours. Maximum temperatures are very, very low.
Cities like Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jaipur, Sikar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Indore, and Bhopal. Some parts of Maharashtra, like Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur. Odisha, West Bengal, including Kolkata and Darjeeling. Places like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Manali, Lachen, Ladakh, all have some severe cold and dense fog and cold days.The coldest place is Drass in Ladakh. Here temparatures plunges below -40 degrees Celsius. Its the coldest place in India. It has heavy snowfalls and sub-zero conditions. Other cold places are Siachen, Kargil, and Leh can make you the chillest.
How to enjoy the Cold Wave !
A steaming, warm cup of Hot chocolate, spicy 2 minute maggie is on our minds. From paneer tikka to handiwalli daal, Bajre ke roti with theekha mirchi ka thecha. Or just some Kulchas with dal Makhani, that too on a cold winter night,t on a campfire. Counting stars and experiencing the cold breeze is another level of joy. Or just sitting under your winter rajai and enjoying a Netflix movie. But yes, we do wish to experience some snowfall and also do some outdoor activities.
As winter comes along the way, one can preplan to visit a cold hideout from their routine hustle and bustle. Get into a snowball fight, but not without your gloves. You can hop into the snow in North India. Go skiing or snowboarding in Auli or Gulmarg. Head trekking to some higher altitude treks, but check on the safety with locals before you head up. Also, you need to be well-equipped with your thermals and medical needs while you wish to chill in the snow.
Winter also brings you some natural hot springs, which is yet another experience of a lifetime. You can get those in the Himalayas in Manikaran, Tattapani, Kheerganga, in Sikkim, at Yumthang, and Reshi. Whereas in Ladakh, it has mineral-rich water in Panamik and Chumathang.On the way to Kedarnath, you can dip into the Holy Gaurikund. Auli also has one hot spring. Consult a doctor before you plan to jump into it. It’s best to stay hydrated and limit your soak time. Don’t drink or dive. Be cultured and leave no garbage behind.
If you like wildlife Safaris then go to Jim Corbett, Ranthambore or Kaziranga. December January is all about the desert and winter festivals, check on Rann Utsav, Maru Mahotsav in Jaisalmer, Bikaner camel festival, or Dubai shopping festival. Some beach escapes in Goa and the Andaman are also quite pleasant. If you don’t want to thermalise yourself up, then enjoy your winters in Jaipur, Udaipur, Pondicherry, Mahabeshwar, Pune, Matheran, Indore and the lower altitudes in Himachal and Uttarakhand. Trek upto Kedarkantha, Brahmatal and the Chadar frozen river trek, which definitely goes for some advanced trekkers. For some pleasant spaces, you can visit Wayanad, Coorg and Munnar.
You can also go for some birdwatching and tiger spotting. So pick a plan, pack your bags, and go for it. To seek some peace and body healing, attend some Yoga retreats in Rishikesh. In Dharamshala, you can explore some Tibetan experiences.
Cold wave - Do's and Dont's
“Sheet Lehar- Cold Wave ” can get a little tougher too, so it’s at times good to stay indoors with warm clothes, blankets, and some winter-friendly food and hot drinks. Don’t ignore Frostbites, shivers, or fevers.
The elderly and young need to be extra careful. Always stay hydrated. Let there be good ventilation. It’s always better to avoid alcohol. Don’t overexert. Change wet clothes when needed. Immediately connect to a doctor in case of frostbite or symptoms of altitude sickness. Dial 108 for medical help in India.
