CHILLAI KALAN          

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Context

• Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan'.

About of 'Chillai-Kalan'

• It is a 40-day harshest winter period when a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodiesincluding the famous Dal Lake here as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley.
• The chances of snowfall are the most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall.
• The cold wave continues even after Chilai Kalan in Kashmir with a 20-day-long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold)and a 10-day-long 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold)

Dal Lake

• It is a lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is an urban lake, which is the second largest in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is named the "Lake of Flowers", "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir"or "Srinagar's Jewel".
• The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.
• The floating gardens, known as "Rad"in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August.
• Dal is mentioned as Mahasarit in ancient Sanskrit texts.

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