Opinion | New classification of winter (Chillai’s) in Kashmir

The word winter comes from German word that means “time of water” and refers to the rainy and snow season of the year. The winter is the coldest season of the year that comes after autumn and before spring.The days are shorter and nights are longest during winter. The use of Kashmiri dress called “Phern” and traditional firepot called “Khangri” is used during this season. The eating of Harisa (a special type of mutton) and Aancher (a special type of pickle) is essential part of meal during this period. People especially in villages usually use preserved dried vegetables in winter.
In Kashmir, the winter is traditionally divided into three parts called the Chilias-Chilia Kalan, Chillia Khurd, Chilia Bacha. The Chillia Kalan is Persian term which means extreme cold. It is local term given to 40 days of harsh winter in Kashmir. It starts from December 21 to January 29. It is followed by minor or small cold of 20 days called Chilia Khurd that occurred between January 30 and Febuary 18. The Chilia Khurd is in turn followed into 10 days baby cold called Chillia Bacha which is from February 19 to February 28.
However, the division of winter (Chillias) into above three parts appeared to be arbitrary and does not make any sense of understanding because for example Chilia Bacha (Baby cold) should come before Chilia Kalan (Major or Young cold) rather than after Chilia Khurd (Small or Old cold). Moreover, winter (Chilias) generally began from December Ist rather than from December 21 because temperature fall below zero degree usually from December Ist and intensity of cold gradually build from this point of time. Although it is truly observed that Chilia Kalan starts on December 21 but the onset of Chilias is not all of sudden on 21 of December but its occurrence take time to build up.
Therefore, keeping in view the above mentioned shortcomings of older traditional classification of Chillias, it is better to classify winter into a new way of understanding which as follows;
Chillia Bacha (Baby cold): It occurs from December Ist to December 20 (20 days) when the temperature fall below zero degree. The intensity of cold gradually builds during this period. Snowfall usually starts to fall during this period especially in hilly areas.
Chillia Kalan (Major or Young cold): It is the period from December 21 to January 31 (40 days). It marks the time of winter solstice which occurs when either of Earths poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. Winter solstice is the time having shortest day and longest day of the year. It means, it the day when we get least amount of sunlight. The intensity of cold and the chance of snowfall are maximum during this time. During this period the temperature drops below freezing point. Tap pipelines partially freezes and the famous Dal Lake completely freezes during this period. The snow that falls during this time also freezes and lasts longer.
Chilia Khurd (Minor or old cold); It is the period from February Ist to February 28 (28 days). The intensity of cold again starts diminishing during this period. The snow usually remains freezed in hilly areas and start melting in plain areas because temperature gradually starts increasing during this period.
About Writer : (Author: Dr Saif Chowdhary M.D Psychaitry PGI Chandigarh Email: chowdharydrsaif@ gmail.com)