News in Frames: The chilling 40 days

The Hindu's News in Frames: January 26, 2025

From December 21 every year, the Kashmir Valley experiences 40 days of the harshest winter spell, locally known as Chillai Kalan.

Freezing temperatures and snow-covered mountain peaks reflect the beauty and resilience of the Kashmiris steeped in hundreds of years of tradition.

In preparation for the harsh winter spell, they brace for surviving the challenges nature throws at them.

To keep warm, they use mobile earthen pots covered with intricately woven wicker, known as kangri; hot embers put in it raise the temperature. They often carry this inside their long traditional cloaks known as pherans.

For keeping the houses and masjids warm, they construct hamams inside the structures, where one room is covered with carved and polished stones and firewood is burnt in a cavity under it. Hamams are a great place for small social gatherings in winters. Family members often prefer to eat in winters inside the warmth of these hamams.

Many families prepare for the winter well ahead in the summer by sun-drying vegetables to be cooked during hostile weather, when availability of essentials is scarce because roads remain blocked by heavy snow.

Smoked fish is another delicacy that is prepared ahead and consumed in the winter. Preserving food in such a manner is an important practice in winter when produce becomes scarce.