It does make sense since lot of time used to be wasted in moving the offices from Srinagar to Jammu and then back after winter. However, this year after centuries old official practice of rotating the seat of governance between the two capitals of Srinagar and Jammu on a six-monthly basis, called the “Durbar Move”, has been largely cancelled. The Govt offices since the days of Maharaja used to shift to the summer capital Jammu. The hustle and bustle of business declines. Even the stray dogs forget their barking and crows their cawing. Birds, beasts, cattle and other creatures are unwilling to roam around. The streets, shops, bazaars, fields, gardens, and roofs are all covered with snow. The valley is dressed in white all over, no dirt is visible. The Kashmiri winter also has its own charm. Tinned Harissa is also available if you want to carry it to places outside the valley. Harsigyar have now proliferated all over the city and you can get it at your doorstep also. These outlets which cook it the whole night are thronged by people very early before the sunrise. The traditional cooks of this delicacy are based at Saraf Kadal and Ali Kadal areas of the downtown of Srinagar. It is a traditional dish made by specialised cooks “ Harsigyar” from goat meat pounded with a special variety of rice and delicate spices, served piping hot. This breakfast dish in Kashmir is an established delicacy. Winter is also the time to enjoy the traditional dish called Harissa. The voltages dip to very low levels, making electric gadgets ineffective at times. The electricity in the valley is always in short supply in winters because of reduction in production from hydroelectric projects and also much higher demand. This is a novel technology but cannot replace the traditional Hammam. Modern technology imported from South Korea which lays fine cables underneath the carpets in sitting rooms has also come there through local agencies. It is a permanent solution and the family spends most of the indoor wakeful hours in this area, which is also invariably next to the kitchen. It also ensures a supply of hot water through an attached copper tank (It is called Khazana in Kashmiri). It typically is a room with a hollow base for burning firewood which provides heat. Traditional Kashmiri homes have hammams for giving the much-needed heat. The soft warm beds are soothing and make us rather lazy. Nights in winter are very long and at times boring. During this period, he introduced mountaineering, skiing, rafting and mountain biking. He rose to the position of the Director General and headed the department till 2003, when he retired after serving for 3 decades. When we talk about adventure tourism and winter sports in Kashmir, we need to remember the name of M Ashraf Batkoo, who gave a big fillip to adventure sports in general, and winter sports in particular. The skiing on the incredible slopes of the meadow of Gulmarg and also at higher points like Apharwat is a dream of the skiers from all over the world. Sonamarg and Gulmarg receive very heavy snowfall. The world-famous Dal Lake also freezes at times. It may be because of the global warming process. Although during the last few years the severity seems to have reduced. Due to sub-zero temperature, tap water and pipelines freeze partially at the peak of this season. The use of traditional Kashmiri dress, - Pheran - and the fire pot - Kangri - becomes ubiquitous and comes to the rescue irrespective of the social status. Winter affects the daily life of the Kashmiris. It is this snow that adds to the glaciers of the valley and replenishes the perennial reservoirs which feed the rivers, lakes and streams during the summer. The snow which falls during this time freezes and lasts longer. It is followed by 20-day long Chillai Khurd, a period of small cold followed by 10 days of Chilla Bachha, baby cold.ĭuring this period the minimum temperature hovers around freezing point. The period between 21 st December to January 29 th is the period of intense cold called Chillai Kalan, a Persian word meaning major cold (Forty days of intense cold). In our valley it is generally not a sought-after season, rather it is an unwelcome guest.
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