Charcoal fired hot basket known as Kangdi at Chatpal in Kashmir, India
That's how the Kashmiris keep themselves warm. They wear a woolen coat called "firan" and carry this basket called "kangdi" with hot coal in it. The firan is loose enough for the kangdi to fit inside around the stomach or the back. In the freezing cold, this is an extremely effective personal heater. Not very safe, though.
Boys playing in Chatpal, Kashmir, India
In the midst of the pine and fir trees of Chatpal, with a stream flowing by, surrounded by the Himalayas, this is a playground of a privileged few. No wonder then, their games are so simple! Shabbir and Younis were playing a game of chasing a metal ring down a slope. One whose ring didn't fall off was the winner of this game.
Boys from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Shabbir, Younis and Rauf were the brothers we met in Chatpal. We watched them play an exciting game of racing their metal rings down a slope. We spent a long time with them. They jumped off high rocks. Posed for photos. And reminded us to get the photos the next time we visit, before saying their goodbyes.
Rauf from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
This is Rauf from a small village called Chitergul in Kashmir. On a rainy day in June, we met him and his brothers outside our tourist bungalow in Chatpal. He had come to play by the stream along with his elder brothers. While they played some competitive games, Rauf was just running around, trying to emulate his elder brothers. Read more of the life in Kashmir at People of the valley: Kashmir
Shepherd from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Bakarwal is what shepherds are called locally in Kashmir. Chatpal is a beautiful little village nestled in the a valley surrounded by the Himalayas on all sides. Its a heaven for grazing of the cattle and the sheep flock. We met in the evening. He was returning from his daily routine of taking his flock out to graze. He was waiting for one little calf to return from the mountains. They way he spoke of his flock, it almost felt like they were people, not sheep! Read more of the life in Kashmir at People of the valley: Kashmir.
Rauf from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
This is Rauf from a small village called Chitergul in Kashmir. On a rainy day in June, we met him and his brothers outside our tourist bungalow in Chatpal. He had come to play by the stream along with his elder brothers. While they played some competitive games, Rauf was just running around, trying to emulate his elder brothers.
Bridge to Thimran, Kashmir, India
A fairy tale – was our first impression of Chatpal. A wooden cottage. A gushing stream next to it. Air so clean and fresh, it felt almost – unnatural! There are no “tourist points” to sit on a horse and see, in Chatpal. Getting lost in nature, or within oneself is the star attraction of Chatpal.
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Landscapes of Chatpal in Kashmir, India
A fairy tale – was our first impression of Chatpal. A wooden cottage. A gushing stream next to it. Air so clean and fresh, it felt almost – unnatural! There are no “tourist points” to sit on a horse and see, in Chatpal. Getting lost in nature, or within oneself is the star attraction of Chatpal. Read more on Chatpal at Chatpal, an offbeat gem hidden in Kashmir.
Aharbal waterfall, Kashmir, India
A passageway along the gushing river makes for an exciting approach to this thrilling waterfall.
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Tea with snacks at a family home in Kolam Chinar, a village with sulphur springs in Kashmir
A farmer family from Kolam Chinar, Kashmir
Kolam Chinar, a village with sulphur springs in Kashmir
Kids playing at Kolam Chinar, a village with sulphur springs in Kashmir
The farms at Kolam Chinar, a village with sulphur srings in Kashmir
Kolam Chinar, Kashmir, India
Kolam Chinar, a tiny village in south Kashmir is known for its sulfuric springs, said to have medicinal properties.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the people here. The month of June sees frenzied farming activity, with people busy in planting rice, the staple food in Kashmir.
Read more about the life in Kashmir at People of the valley: Kashmir
A house in Kolam Chinar, village with the sulphur springs in Kashmir
A tailor in the market of Anantnag, Kashmir
We spotted this tailor while walking down a market in Anantnag and realised hookah is also a work time accessory! Read more at People of the valley: Kashmir.
A copper store in the Anantnag market , Kashmir, India
Copper ware is a highly prized kitchen ware in Kashmir. Heavy and intricately carved copper vessels are a sign of affluence in Kashmir. Their cost is decided by the weight of copper used in making them.
Shops like these indicate a “big city”, the urban side of Kashmir!
Know more about the life in Kashmir at People of the valley: Kashmir
Horseman shopping at Anantnag, Kashmir, India
The markets in Anantnag (as well as the rest of Kashmir) are packed with horse accessories in the month of June. Horsemen are busy buying and negotiating saddles, ropes and such gear.
Photograph by Chetan Karkhanis
Verinag, Kashmir, India
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Photograph by Chetan Karkhanis
Verinag, Kashmir, India
VER2013061214075DanantnagBaratocanonchetanchetan karkhanisfarmsfieldsgeotagHindistanindeIndiaIndieIndienIndiëIndlandIntiajammu and kashmirkarkhanisphotophotographerphotographyphotossandeepasandeepa karkhanissandeepachetantourismTravelÍndiaІндіяИндияИндијаהודוינדיאַالهندبھارتهندوستانอินเดียẤn Độインド印度인도
Photograph by Chetan Karkhanis
Verinag, Kashmir, India
VER2013061213975DanantnagBaratocanonchetanchetan karkhanisgeotagHindistanindeIndiaIndieIndienIndiëIndlandIntiajammu and kashmirkarkhanisphotophotographerphotographyphotossandeepasandeepa karkhanissandeepachetantourismTravelÍndiaІндіяИндияИндијаהודוינדיאַالهندبھارتهندوستانอินเดียẤn Độインド印度인도
Photograph by Chetan Karkhanis
Verinag, Kashmir, India
VER2013061213785DanantnagBaratocanonchetanchetan karkhanisgeotagHindistanindeIndiaIndieIndienIndiëIndlandIntiajammu and kashmirkarkhanisphotophotographerphotographyphotossandeepasandeepa karkhanissandeepachetantourismTravelÍndiaІндіяИндияИндијаהודוינדיאַالهندبھارتهندوستانอินเดียẤn Độインド印度인도
Hangout place next to butcher shop, Kashmir, India
Idyllic scene in the market at Verinag which is in South Kashmir. Old men, wearing firan (woolen coat), kangdi (basket with red hot charcoal pieces) keeping them warm sharing a hookah/sheesha. Read full stories at People of the valley: Kashmir.
Fried Trout fish, a delicacy of Kashmir, India
Trout fish was introduced in the waters of Kashmir by a Norwegian. Today trout is known as the pride of Kashmir. Read more about Asia's largest trout fishery at A day in Kokernag, Kashmir
Mughal garden in Verinag, Kashmir, India
Mughal gardens, typically multi-leveled terraces with water channels and fountains decorated with seasonal flowering plants are a specialty in Kashmir. Stories from Kashmir :A day in Kokernag, Kashmir, Life and sights around Dal lake in Srinagar, People of the valley: Kashmir
