Winter in Kashmir starts in December and most of the people think that it starts in mid-November. During this time, night temperatures often drop several degrees below freezing point (around −5 °C to −8 °C). This leads to the freezing of many arrears where water bodies, including parts of the famous Dal Lake, and residential water pipelines. Life in Kashmir adapts to the extreme cold. Residents rely heavily on traditional means of warmth. People also make use of loose, long garment which is also known as Pheran. People also start making use of a traditional portable earthen firepot filled with hot embers, often carried inside the Pheran,it is called Kangi. In some arrears people make use of Traditional winter dishes like Harisa (a slow-cooked mutton dish) and preserved dried vegetables -pumpkin (Ale-hatche) are consumed to provide themselves warmth and nutrition. Main part of the winter starts from 21 December .This day is often celebrated as “World Pheran Day” to mark the onset of Chillai Kalaan. From here main 40-day period of harsh cold starts (December 21 – January 31). During this 40 day period in Kashmir, nights remain chilly and day temperatures thrive in single digits. During this Chillai-Kalaan period 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. The cold conditions force people of the valley to put on extra layers of clothes.With electricity supply erratic in many areas of Kashmir, people are now making construction of Hammam rooms in the houses. Hammams are also being made in Masjids and people besides offering prayers there, also rest there for a while for keeping themselves warm. From January, chill reaches on peak in Kashmir. In this month people witness and enjoy snowfall. Even though the temperature goes below zero here at times, people can enjoy the major January activities and the serene and calm beauty of Kashmir. Is chilai kalaan a myth or reality? Chillai Kalan is a reality and not a myth. It is the local name for a real, annual, 40-day period of intense and harsh winter in the Kashmir Valley, which begins around December 21st and ends on January 29th or 31st every year.
“The Pheran, a long garment, has been a staple of Kashmiri attire since at least the 15th century, reflecting strong Persian cultural influence. Its introduction is debated: some credit Mughal Emperor Akbar, while others believe it was brought by Persian travelers to combat the cold. The paragraph concludes by urging the preservation and proud use of these cultural symbols.”
The period has deep cultural roots and is an integral part of Kashmir’s heritage, with a history spanning over a thousand years. Traditionally, people prepare in advance by storing food and firewood, staying indoors, and using traditional methods like the ‘Pheran’ (a woolen cloak) and ‘Kangri’ (a portable firepot) to keep warm. We need to provide our children about the use of Pheran and Kangri. These are parts of culture and we need save these cultural symbols. It is wonderful that we want to preserve the cultural significance of the pheran and kangri. These items are essential elements of Kashmiri heritage, representing both the region’s history and traditional ways of life.
Encourage Everyday Use| Wear Them Proudly: The most effective way to keep a cultural symbol alive is to use it. Wear the pheran in daily life, during festivals, or formal gatherings.
Host Events: Organize “Pheran Days” or cultural festivals that celebrate Kashmiri traditions, encouraging participants to wear the garment.
By actively participating in these efforts, we can help to ensure that the pheran and kangri remain vibrant and cherished parts of Kashmiri culture for generations to come. There is no consensus on the exact origin of the word ‘Pheran.’ However, it seems that the word may have been derived from the Persian word ‘Perahan,’ which means a shirt. Persian culture has had a strong influence in Kashmir, and one thing agreed upon by historians is that the Pheran has been a staple in Kashmiri attire since at least the 15th century. The introduction of the Pheran to Kashmir is shrouded in myths. Some believe it was Mughal Emperor Akbar who introduced the long garment to the Kashmir Valley, while others argue it was Persian travelers who invented the garment to protect themselves from the freezing cold during winters. So let all of us save these symbols and make use of these objects with efficiently and with pride.
(The author is a teacher at Govt High School Brakpora, Anantnag . The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
