Chillai Kalan

• 24 Dec 2021

• It is a Persian word meaning Major Cold and it is the local name given to the 40 day period of harsh winter in Kashmir (starting from 21^st December to 29^th January every year).
• Chillai Kalan is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd (small cold) that occurs between 31^st January and 19^th February and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold) which is from 20^th February to 2^nd March.
• During Chillai-Kalan, the weather in Kashmir valley continues to remain dry and cold with minimum temperatures hovering below the freezing point. The chances of snowfall are most frequent during this period.