Winters in Manali - Snowfall and Coziness of Tandoor
While I write this post today(26th September), I admit the chill has set in and its onset of winters.
Winter usually start with a dry spell in October and severity in December, January and February.
With time a lot has changed, and daily life of the people of the valley is not paused now with onset of winters rather people continue living normally. A few years back, it was not the same, these few months, were focussed on getting ready for long winters.
Stock pile of wood, food items, warm clothes etc were rationed for the winter season. It was all but obvious that there would be days without water and electricity. Mobile phones, televisions and other electronic items were not there then barring a few households.
Today the things have changed, maximum population in the valley today relies on information exchange, be it Facebook, Instagram etc, and would do anything to get their mobile phone charges to keep up with the world pace. Younger generation wouldn't hold on for even one day without electricity and would go to extent of charging their mobile phones and gadget in their cars.
With very very little work in winters and religious activities , congregations very few during winters, this time of year is used for socialising with each other. Villages become a to happening again, Under sunshine, locals can be seen gossiping/chatting over tea.
Every house hold, has special room where tandoor is fired. Tandoor is fire oven in which wood is burnt. It helps to warm the room and maintain a cosy temperature. Without tandoor, it is very difficult to sit in room, even with a quilt or blanket. So essentially, tandoor, helps bringing family together. To keep themselves warm each of the family member sits int the room.
Hot water is kept in a kettle, which has multiple uses like for instant cooking, washing utensils, bathing etc.
Few people (adventurers) also set out to ski slopes with snowboard and ski. Solang valley and Sethan are some areas around with good ski slopes.
During winters, most of the months are said to be dark months (nyara mahine) and very few social events like mariages, etc are held.
Only major event, start in February, and is called a Fagli. The festival is organised to observe the "victory of good over evil".
This festival is celebrated to mark the end of winter or the beginning of spring. It is celebrated in the entire valley on the moonless night or Amavasya.
In many villages, like Malana, Men dressed in traditional attire with masks on their faces were seen dancing in circles while hundreds of locals also gathered to watch the event.
Local beverage, Chaakti/Lugdi made from rice is served in the evening to all the guests.
So winters, in Kullu valley are pretty long and thanks to internet, it does keep most people busy.
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