Chillai Kalan

Chillai Kalan

Part of: Prelims and GS-I- Geography

Context Kashmir is in a deep freeze as the 40-day harshest spell of winter, locally called ‘chillai kalan’, started on December 21, 2021.

• The minimum temperature already reached sub-zero in the entire Valley.

What is Chillai Kalan?

• Chillai Kalan is a Persian word which literally means forty days of intense cold.
• It is the local name given to 40 day period of harsh winter in Kashmir.
• It is the coldest part of winter, starting from 21 December to January 29 every year.
• Chillai-Kalan is followed by 20-day long Chillai Khurd (small cold) and a 10-days long Chillai Bachha (baby cold).
• Impact of Chillai Kalan on daily life of Kashmiris: Use of Pheran (Kashmiri dress) and a traditional firing pot called Kanger increases. 
  • Due to subzero temperature, tap water pipelines freeze partially during this period and world-famous Dal Lake also freezes.