Chillai Kalan

Chillai Kalan or Chilla-i-Kalan (Kashmiri pronunciation: [t͡ʃilaj kalaːn] , lit. '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 December to January 29 every year.

Chilla-i-Kalan is followed by 20-day long Chilla-i-Khurd (Kashmiri pronunciation: [t͡ʃilaj xɔrɨd], lit. 'small forty days [of cold]') that occurs between January 30 and February 18, and a 10-days long Chilla-i-Bachha (Kashmiri pronunciation: [t͡ʃilɨ bat͡ʃi] , lit. 'baby forty [days of cold]') which is from February 19 to February 28.^[3]

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

Chilla-i Kalan is a Persian for Grand Chilla, Chilla meaning 'forty' from the Persian 'chihil.'

Impact

Chilla-i Kalan affects the daily life of Kashmiris. Use of Pheran (Kashmiri tweed overcoat) and a traditional coal firing pot called Kanger increases.^[4] Due to subzero temperatures, tap water pipelines freeze partially during this period and the Dal Lake also freezes.^[5][6] Tourist resorts like Sonamarg and Gulmarg receive heavy snow.^[7]

Cultural importance

• Celebrating Chillai Kalan with sumptuous Harisa (Kashmiri : ۂرؠ سہٕ [hərʲsɨ]) is a quintessential part of Kashmiri tradition.^[8][9]
• The first day of ‘Chillai kalan’ is to be celebrated as ‘World Pheran Day'.^[10]

See also

• Rantas
• Phiran
• Kanger
• Yalda