Sahil Manzoor
Snow and Winter
Snow enhances the beauty of the Kashmir Valley. Whitish like milk, mushy like sponge, so crispy, so cold. Snow has no alternative in the Kashmir Valley; snow has no artificial way out in Kashmir. Snow is not limited to what it literally is. There are a number of natural phenomena related to snow, like blizzard flurries of snow. Cold wave in all corners of Kashmir, accumulation of glaciers on the colossal shoulders of lofty mountains, meadows of famous tourist destinations like meadows of Pahalgam, meadows of Gulmarg, meadows of Doodhpathri, meadows of Sonamarg. Every water body freezes; the branches of the immense tree look like fruits turned into snow.
Winters are so special in the valley
During winters, visitors from all corners of the world rush to Kashmir to catch beautiful memories in their android phones, DSLR cameras. Not only visitors are from outside of Kashmir are curious to be witnesses of snowfall but locals also love the snow in the Kashmir Valley. Snow has great influence on Kashmir because it enhances the beauty of the Kashmir Valley and makes all corners of the valley look like a bridegroom. Nature makes up all lofty mountains, huge trees, meadows looking lush green and now turned into a white carpet.
Nature and snow
Snow itself defines the nature during winters in the valley and has great importance in a number of ways, like the accumulation of snow on lofty mountains provides the source of drinking water to all of Kashmir, and such glaciers bestow the clear crystal water to famous rivers of the Kashmir Valley like the Lidder River in Pahalgam, the Shaliganga River in Doodhpathri, and the Doodganga River in Yousmarg. Snow explains the beauty of nature and makes every natural surrounding so luscious and so cherished during winters.
When winter starts in Kashmir
Literally, winters start from the arrival of the 40-day period of Chillai Kalaan. The initial harsh 40 days end with the month of January, and winter ends on 20 March. On the 21st of March, the Novruz festival was celebrated in the Kashmir Valley. On this day, most people used baths with cold tap water and felt like winters were not more.
Winters are so special, and native people taste delicious and cultural dishes like Harrisa (a culinary dish of meat and a number of spices eaten with a piece of Kabab and Kashmiri bread, commonly called as kaandir tcho’ut), razma (kidney beans and radish, fishes, dry fruits, and several other delicious foods are being cooked during winters).
Snow as a source of water and generates employment for the tourism sector
Winters are no winters: Winters are not winters when there is no heavy snowfall or snow after every two weeks in Kashmir. Snow attracts visitors and is the main source of hydropower projects in Kashmir.
Games: Sports activities can be performed only on snow
Kashmir Valley is one of the famous and renowned tourist destinations where a number of Bollywood movies were shot in the past and is now becoming the main hub for those who love winter games like skiing and snow rafting.
Cable car corporation: The gondola ride remains one of the great experiences of the visitor in Gulmarg. One can enjoy a gondola ride throughout the year and can explore the upper reaches of the Gulmarg, like Khillan Marg, etc.
Apart from this recreational means, why is snow so important for the valley?
We all are well aware of the fact that the Kashmir Valley suffers a lot in this and that way. The government sector cannot generate employment for every individual, and the private sector is not so developed that every individual may get a job and earn their livelihood.
The people of Kashmir are hardworking and have great farming skills. The agriculture sector and horticulture provide chances to the unemployed people of Kashmir to get employment.
Snow retains the moisture of the soil and provides the water to the irrigation canal that the farmers grow paddy fields, vegetables, fruits, etc.
Kashmir Valley has its unique fame and charm in all corners of the world and has great and historic tourist destinations, rivers, and lofty mountains of the Pir Panjal range.
This is very fortunate, and the upper reaches and some plains of the valley received the season’s first snowfall on the 11th of December 2024. The night temperature rose in the Kashmir Valley due to cloud cover, and the summer capital has yet to receive snowfall.
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