New Delhi: Tourist activity in Sissu village of Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district has been put on hold for 40 days, from January 20 to February 28, following a decision by the local gram panchayat to protect religious customs and long-standing traditions.
No tourists allowed in Sissu during the holy period
The resolution was taken after discussions involving village elders, religious groups and elected panchayat members, who agreed that the sacred winter period should be observed without outside disturbance.
Public notice issued by village authorities
The decision was conveyed through a formal public advisory released by the Sissu Gram Panchayat. The restrictions apply across the village and surrounding panchayat areas and cover all forms of tourism.
Hotels, homestays, sightseeing trips, adventure sports and recreational activities have all been suspended for the duration of the ban.
Why outsiders are kept away during this period
For residents of Sissu, late January and February are considered among the most spiritually significant weeks of the year. The period is traditionally marked by prayer, rituals and community gatherings, with limited engagement in daily commercial activity.
Locals believe that the presence of outsiders during this time interferes with the spiritual focus required for rituals dedicated to deities such as Raja Ghepan and Goddess Bhoti. On these grounds, the panchayat has ordered a complete halt to tourism-related operations.
Accommodation providers have been told not to accept bookings, while tour operators and adventure sports organisers have been asked to suspend services temporarily.
Losar and Halda: Central to village life
The ban coincides with the observance of Losar, the Tibetan New Year, and the Halda festival, both of which are deeply rooted in the cultural life of the Lahaul Valley.
Losar is observed through family prayers, monastery rituals and private ceremonies, usually carried out within homes. Halda, unique to the region, involves lighting cedar twigs to symbolise the victory of light over darkness and is performed with strict ritual discipline.
Residents have stressed that the decision is not meant to discourage tourism permanently but to prevent sacred traditions from being reduced to spectacles.
When faith trumps economics
Winter tourism in Lahaul-Spiti has grown rapidly in recent years, especially after the opening of the Atal Tunnel, which provides year-round road access. Despite the economic benefits, the village has chosen to prioritise religious practice during this period.
Tourist attractions in and around Sissu, including frozen waterfalls, trekking trails and snow activity areas, will remain closed. Activities such as skiing, tube sliding, zip-lining and hot air ballooning have also been stopped.
Heavy snowfall during the winter months often disrupts roads and strains local resources, making it difficult to manage large visitor numbers. Restricting entry during this time also helps ease pressure on essential services.
How the ban is being implemented
Village authorities, assisted by local youth groups and women’s collectives, are enforcing the closure. Information barriers have been set up at entry points, and travellers are being informed in advance.
While the Manali–Keylong highway through the Atal Tunnel remains open, Sissu village itself is closed to leisure visitors. Officials have urged travellers to respect local beliefs and avoid sightseeing or photography during the restricted period.
Balancing tourism and tradition
Since year-round connectivity became possible, Sissu has seen a sharp increase in winter visitors. Once isolated for months, the village is now a popular stop for snow tourism.
Local leaders say the rising footfall has also brought concerns about cultural erosion. The 40-day closure, they argue, serves as a reminder that spiritual life in the valley cannot be shaped around tourist schedules.
Sissu on your bucket list? Here’s what you need to know:
Ban period: January 20 to February 28
Area affected: Sissu village and panchayat limits
Activities suspended: Hotels, homestays, sightseeing and adventure sports
Other areas open: Koksar, Keylong, Yangla and most of Lahaul-Spiti
If you are still insistent on planning a trip to the region, you will have to plan your visits from March onwards. Until then, Sissu will remain quiet, with its snow-covered slopes reserved for prayer, ritual fires and customs that predate modern tourism.