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News Topical, Digital Desk : The 40 days of 'Chilla-e-Kalan', the coldest period in Kashmir, have begun today. 'Chillai-Kalan' is a time period during which it is extremely cold. 'Chilla-e-Kalan' begins every year on December 21st and this period of harsh winter lasts till January 31st. Chilla-e-Kalan is a 40-day period of extreme cold. During this period, the temperature drops so low that rivers and waterfalls, including the famous Dal Lake, freeze. Snow is visible everywhere. Many parts of the valley face this situation. During this period, most parts, especially the higher altitudes, receive frequent and heavy snowfall.
"Chilla-e-Kalan" began today, December 21st, and will end on January 31st. This period is followed by a 20-day period of "Chillai-Khurd" (small cold) and a 10-day period of "Chillai-Bachha" (mild cold) in Kashmir. During this period, the cold wave continues.
The snowy mountains add a new grandeur to the area.
During the "Chilla-e-Kalan" period, the snow-capped mountains, plains, and white poplar trees lend a new grandeur to the entire region. Chilla-e-Kalan, in Persian, means harsh winter. The cold wave reaches its peak during this time. Even the famous Dal Lake freezes over by the end of January.
The 'traditional' Kangri supports Kashmiris
During these 40 days, the daily lives of Kashmiris are completely transformed. The entire Kashmir Valley is covered in a blanket of white. The traditional Kashmiri attire, the pheran, and the kangri, used for warmth, are seen everywhere. During the cold winters, the people of Jammu and Kashmir use the kangri to keep themselves warm.
What is Kangri?
A Kangri is an earthen pot placed inside a wooden basket, in which charcoal is burned. It acts as a portable and movable heater during the bitter cold, which Kashmiris keep inside their woolen clothes to protect themselves from the cold. This is an age-old method of keeping themselves warm. Due to the drop in temperature, many slow-flowing water sources have frozen, and respiratory problems have increased among children and the elderly. Power outages are common in Kashmir during Chilla-e-Kalan, so people here keep themselves warm in this way.
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