Dal Lake Freezes As Chillai Kalan Begins In Kashmir

A shikara is seen parked on the banks of the frozen Dal Lake on a cold winter morning, in Srinagar. Chillai Kalan, the 40-day period of harshest winter, commenced in Kashmir on Saturday with Srinagar experiencing its coldest December night in five decades at minus 8.5 degrees Celsius, according to the meteorological department.

Boatmen row their 'Shikaras' at Dal Lake on a foggy day, in Srinagar. The city recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, a coldest night of the season so far, ahead of the 'Chillai Kalan', the harshest winter period in Kashmir.

Migratory birds on a frozen part of Dal Lake on a foggy day, in Srinagar.

A man walks on a frost-covered wooden bridge on a cold winter morning in the interiors of the Dal Lake, in Srinagar.

A woman warms her hands on ‘kangri’, an earthen pot woven around with wicker filled with hot embers, on a boat in the interiors of Dal Lake on a cold winter morning, in Srinagar.

An elderly vendor on the banks of partially-frozen Dal Lake on a cold winter morning, in Srinagar.

Players of Saint Joseph (in green) and SRM Welkin in action during a football match, on the first day of Chillai-Kalan, a 40-day harshest winter period, in Srinagar.