Kashmir is shivering with sub-zero temperatures these days and the harsh winter of forty days called 'chilling Kalan' is on its last leg ending on the last day of January 2023. However, Weather experts have forecasted a fresh spell of huge snowfall on Monday. Advisories have been issued for snow avalanches in different areas in Kashmir.
As for coping with the shivering cold in winter is concerned, a fire-pot is the primary source of warmth for people in Kashmir. Everyone uses it and enjoys with it the chill in Kashmir. There are other electronic gadgets that people use in Kashmir like electric blankets, room heaters, and blowers for heating purposes but people usually don't rely on these gadgets due to a shortage of electricity during winters in Kashmir. So, people mostly use firepots for heating purposes. Hamaam is also common in Kashmir which helps to cope with the winter coolness.
And one has to wear proper clothes, cover his or her face, or wear a muffler and woollen cap to protect oneself from cold and cough, especially elderly people need more care and protection during winter. People in Kashmir wear long tweed fabric called PHERAN and use fire-pots under it to protect themselves from cold.
Cracked skin and cough are more prominent in people during winter, especially children and elderly people who are more prone to these problems. As a remedy for cracked skin, glycerin and Vaseline are essential to overcome the problem. Besides this, we relish some good food that helps people stay energetic in winter.
Ginger Tea can't be compromised, Harissa provides energy and warmth in the morning, and Khewa is everyone's favourite in winter and even when anyone has a cough or cold. Kashmir is known for non-veg food and wazwan but during winter people enjoy rajma dal and our traditional pickles without which winter dishes are incomplete.
As we expect a fresh snowfall, the children are all set for a snow fight and make snowmen and different structures out of snow! Far away from the fear of catching a cough, fever, or cold, children and young alike expose themselves in snow and enjoy it!
