Charm of hill weddings rising: Lansdowne emerges as Uttarakhand’s new marriage hotspot, 30+ couples tie knot in two years
The craze for destination weddings is growing, and Lansdowne's valleys are driving couples from across India to take the seven vows at 6,250 feet. Surrounded by bamboo and pine forests, the hill town has hosted over 30 weddings in two years, with bookings rising.
Lansdowne: The picturesque hill town of Lansdowne in Pauri district is fast becoming a favorite wedding destination. Surrounded by bamboo, rhododendron, pine, and cedar forests, couples are arriving from different parts of the country to take the seven vows in the serene valleys.
In the past two years, more than 30 weddings have been organized here. This year alone, over a dozen couples tied the knot in Lansdowne, and for next year, 16 bookings have already been confirmed until April. Hotels are now constructing wedding halls and pavilions to meet the growing demand.
Guests are served hill delicacies
The charm of Lansdowne weddings lies not only in the natural beauty but also in the local traditions and cuisine. Guests are served hill delicacies such as Bal Mithai, Mandua Barfi, Laddu, Jhangora Kheer, and Arsa. The wedding procession is welcomed with tilak ceremonies and the melodious sounds of folk instruments like Dhol-Damau, adding a cultural touch to the celebrations.
Complete arrangements by hoteliers
Hoteliers in Lansdowne provide complete arrangements, from Godan rituals, mandaps made of banana trees, mehndi, flower decorations, live music, DJ, stage construction, and photography to the farewell of the wedding procession. Families only need to share the number of guests, while the hotels take care of everything else.
Trend has been fueled by social media
The craze has also been fueled by social media. Actor Pawan Yadav, known for his work on the YouTube channel Nazar-Battu, chose Lansdowne for his wedding last year. Videos of his ceremony went viral, inspiring more couples to consider Lansdowne as their wedding destination.
PM Modi’s emphasis on developing Uttarakhand as a wedding destination
The trend aligns with the state government’s vision. During the Investors Summit 2023 in Dehradun, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized developing Uttarakhand as a wedding destination. Following this, the government identified mountain locations for infrastructure development, and hoteliers are hopeful that Lansdowne will establish a distinct identity in the region.
Creating employment opportunities for locals
The boom in wedding tourism is also creating employment opportunities for local people. According to Hotel Association Lansdowne President Ajay Satija and hotelier Anuj Rajput, most hotel staff are locals. From priests to decorators, arrangements are handled by residents, ensuring that the benefits of wedding tourism reach the community.
Currently, more than 800 local people are employed in Lansdowne’s hotel industry, and the growing demand for destination weddings is expected to generate even more jobs.