As the mercury in Kashmir Valley continues to dip, the traditional fire pots known as Kangris are in high demand in Kashmir’s capital city Srinagar.
People can be seen buying Kangris in some congested markets of Srinagar including Batamaloo. Even, in the flea market of Srinagar, kangris were put on sale.
This winter people associated with this trade witnessed a brisk business. “Scores of people are earning their livelihood from this business,” said a Kangri seller in Srinagar who hails from Ganderbal.
Due to pesky power cuts which stop people of Srinagar from using electric appliances, this Kangri plays an important role as it is easy to carry with fire inside it and keeps one warm.
“I have been doing this business since childhood. I have three varieties of colorful Kangris for selling including large, medium, and small. In winter, its demand increases here,” said another Kangri seller Aijaz Ahmed.
Arshid Ahmad, a customer said, “People use Kangri here in winter because it works as a heater. Almost all the people here have these firepots.”
Kangri forms an important part of Kashmiri culture and is a unique cultural identity of the valley. It is the easiest and cheapest way to keep warm in the chilling cold of Kashmir. Kangri is the only alternative available for people to protect themselves from the chilling winters of Kashmir. [KNT]