Chillai Kalan

Chillai Kalan or Chillia Kalan (Kashmiri : چِلَے کَلان [t͡ʃilaj kalaːn] , Translation : forty days of intense cold)[1] is the local name given to 40 day period of harsh winter in Kashmir.[2] It is the coldest part of winter, starting from 21 Dec to January 29 every year. Chillai-Kalan is followed by 20-day long Chillai Khurd (Kashmiri : چِلَے خۄرٕد [ t͡ʃilaj kʰɔrɨd] , Translation : small cold) that occurs between January 30 and February 18 and a 10-days long Chillai Bachha (Kashmiri : چِلہٕ بَچہِ [t͡ʃilɨ bat͡ʃi] , Translation : baby cold) which is from February 19 to February 28.[3]

Chillai Kalan in Kashmir.

Weather

During this 40 day period in Kashmir, nights are chilly and day temperatures thrive in single digits. During Chillai-Kalan, the weather in valley of Kashmir continues to remain cold with minimum temperatures hovering below the freezing point. The snow that falls during this time period freezes and lasts longer. It is this snow that adds to the glaciers of the Valley and replenishes the perennial reservoirs that feed the rivers, streams and lakes in Kashmir during the months of summer. Any snowfall after the chillai kalan does not last long.

Etymology

Chillai Kalan is a Persian word which means Major Cold.[4]

Impact

Chillai Kalan affects the daily life of Kashmiris. Use of Pheran (Kashmiri dress) and a traditional firing pot called Kanger increases.[5] Due to subzero temperature, tap water pipelines freeze partially during this period and world-famous Dal Lake also freezes.[6][7] Famous tourist resorts like Sonamarg and Gulmarg receive heavy snow.[8]

Cultural importance
  • Celebrating Chillai Kalan with sumptuous Harees (Kashmiri : ۂرؠ سہٕ [hərʲsɨ]) is a quintessential part of Kashmiri tradition.[9][10]
  • The first day of ‘Chillai kalan’ is to be celebrated as ‘World Pheran Day'.[11]

See also

References
  1. Snedden, Christopher (2015-09-15). Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-1-84904-622-0.
  2. "Kashmir continues to shiver as 'Chillai Kalan' begins". Deccan Herald. 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  3. "Intense winter begins in Jammu & Kashmir with sub-zero temperatures". Hindustan Times. 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  4. sofi (2020-12-21). "Chillai Kalan, Chillai Khurd, and Challai Bache". Kashmir Observer. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  5. "The Pheran: Traditional Kashmiri Dress". Greater Kashmir. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  6. "Srinagar shivers with falling temperatures, Dal Lake freezes - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  7. Naqash, Rayan. "40 days of biting cold: Life during chillai kalan, Kashmir's harshest period of winter". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  8. "skiing in kashmir News and Updates from The Economic Times - Page 5". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  9. "As Chillai Kalan sets in, Kashmiris turn to 'Harissa' to keep themselves warm - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  10. Ashiq, Peerzada (2017-12-21). "Harissa is a hot favourite in freezing Kashmir". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  11. Ashiq, Peerzada (2020-12-21). "Kashmiris welcome 'chillai kalan' with cool pictures". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-01-03.


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