mid the persistent dry and cold weather, the Jammu and Kashmir region is ready to face the 40-day-long harshest winter period of ‘Chillai Kalan’, beginning from the intervening night of December 20 and December 21. This period of Chillai Kalan, which begins with Winter Solstice spans from December 21 to January 31, marks the apex of Kashmir’s severe winter. Chillai Kalan is also known as “Shahenshah-e-zamistan.” Chilla-i Kalan is a Persian term which means “major cold” while the intense cold conditions are known as ‘Jaada’ in North and East India.
During Chilai Kalan, the chilling cold increases further, while heavy snowfall and temperatures well below freezing point cause water bodies and even water taps in homes to freeze. In this 40-day period, nights are chilly and day temperatures are in single digits.The winter games at the skiing resort of Gulmarg are held during this period.
During Chillai Kalan, many Kashmiri families prepare ‘Shabdeg’ on the first day of ‘Chillai Kalan’. Meat is slow cooked with turnips and spices in an earthen vessel during the night intervening December 20-21, to mark the onset of the coldest phase of the season.