Chillai Kalan Begins in Kashmir | Locals Celebrate International Pheran Day at Lal Chowk, Srinagar We come here in front of the Ghanta Ghar and take a breath, here tourists come from all over the country and abroad, we walk here and take a breath of relief, said residents in Kashmir. Today it feels good to sit here near Ghanta Ghar and see our tricolour flag fluttering. Today is the first day of ‘Chillai Kalan’. The 40-day harsh winter period has commenced in Kashmir. It starts from December 21 and ends on January 31st. The mercury dips below freezing point across the Valley. And the Dal Lake freezes because of the extreme cold spell. There is such a winter season in Kashmir Valley where the temperature becomes very low. The chilly spell takes long to pass even after January 31st. After the major cold spell of 40 days, a 20-day spell of little cold follows called ‘Chillai Khurd’. Then comes a 10-day winter spell known as ‘Chillai Bachha’ or baby cold. Meanwhile, the whole public waits for when it will snow? We have a dress called Pheran which is worn in the winter season which keeps our body warm, said Kashmiri locals. International Pheran Day on December 21 also coincides with the beginning of Chillai Kalan period and was celebrated in Srinagar at the commercial hub Lal Chowk. On the occasion, a Kashmiri showing his love draped a life size cutout of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the traditional attire Pheran and kissed him several times. The knee-length woollen gown is a unique identity of Kashmiri culture.