Traditional ways still prevail during Chillai Kalan in Kashmir

Jan 28, 2023

Anantnag (J&K), Jan 28 (ANI): It is no secret that the winter season is the toughest in Kashmir. The valley receives huge amount of snowfall during this season and it becomes really cold in the valley. It is a challenge for the local people to endure Chillai Kalan, which is a 40-day period of harsh winter in Kashmir. It is a Persian term which means ‘major cold’. The people in Kashmir are relieved that the Chillai Kalan is soon going to end. The Kashmiri people know ‘Chillai Kalan’ and also the ways to get through it. There are many traditional ways through which they make their living easy during the Chillai Kalan. For centuries, people have been preparing in advance to face the harsh winter. During summer, people collect fresh vegetables in large quantities and dry them under sunlight and store them for winter. People prefer to stay indoors when there is a good quantity of snowfall. They wear traditional gowns known as ‘Pheran’. They also use traditional fire pots known as ‘Kangri’ with charcoal. Despite the modern world, people in far-flung areas are still using a unique kind of slipper made of grass, popularly known as ‘Pulhour’ as it helps them to walk easily in the snow. This year as well, they used all these ways to endure the cold. They are now relieved that the Chillai Khurd is now going to begin. Chillai Kalan is followed by a 20-day-long Chillai Khurd that occurs between January 31 and February 19. 10-day long Chillai Bache starts from February 20 to March 02.