Hundreds of Women Perform Traditional ‘Nati’ on Manali’s Mall Road to Celebrate International Women’s Day.
MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur Distributes Rs. 35,000 Each to 299 Women’s Groups at Manurangshala.
Manali:
Hundreds of women dressed in traditional Kulluvi attire performed the famous ‘Nati’ dance on Mall Road in Manali on the occasion of International Women’s Day, celebrating culture while spreading social awareness messages.
The event saw participation from around 1,000 women representing 115 Mahila Mandals (women’s groups) from the Left Bank area of Manali. The large gathering turned Mall Road into a vibrant cultural stage as women performed the traditional folk dance together for nearly an hour, attracting the attention of tourists and locals alike.
The dance performance, known as Maha Nati, had originally been scheduled during the Manali Winter Carnival but had to be postponed due to heavy snowfall earlier this year. The program was finally organised on Sunday, filling the iconic street with music, color, and celebration.
Cultural Pride on Display
Women participated in the dance wearing traditional Kulluvi dresses that included a white three-flower pattuu, silver ornaments like boomani, chandrahars, and anklets, along with gold lockets and the traditional red ‘Dhathu’ headscarf. The colorful attire and rhythmic movements created a festive atmosphere on the Mall Road.
Tourists visiting Manali were fascinated by the performance and many recorded the historic moment on their mobile phones. Some visitors even joined the women and matched their steps during the dance.
A long line of dancing women stretched from Rambagh Chowk to the Durga Temple, making it one of the most memorable cultural moments of the day.
Message of Social Awareness
According to the carnival committee, the Maha Nati was not only a cultural performance but also carried important social messages. Through the dance, women spread awareness about issues such as drug-free society, environmental conservation through tree plantation, clean Himachal, women empowerment, and the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign.
The performance was accompanied by traditional musical instruments and popular Himachali folk songs, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Financial Support for Women’s Groups
Later in the afternoon, the local MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur distributed financial incentives to women’s groups during a ceremony held at Manurangshala.
A total of 299 Mahila Mandals and Self-Help Groups received Rs. 35,000 each as encouragement for their participation in the Winter Carnival activities.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur said that the state government is taking significant steps for the upliftment and empowerment of women. He also expressed gratitude to the state leadership for increasing the incentive amount for women’s groups.
He noted that the financial assistance for Mahila Mandals has been increased from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 35,000 within the last four years, which has significantly strengthened community participation and women’s involvement in social and cultural activities.
Officials present at the event included SDM Manali and Vice-Chairman of the Winter Carnival Committee Raman Kumar Sharma.
The event highlighted both Himachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage and the growing role of women in promoting social awareness and community development.
