Culture of Kashmir
Our Kashmir is a beautiful piece of land on earth. It is popular for its rich culture and a vast treasure of the resources. Popularly known as the “Paradise on Earth”, Jammu and Kashmir is world famous for its scenic splendour, snow-capped mountains, plentiful wildlife, exquisite monuments, hospitable people and local handicrafts. Kashmiri culture is vast and appealing and it creates a long lasting impression on the visitors to Kashmir. In-fact It is the cultural traditions that have shaped an identity for Kashmir.
The culture of Kashmir encompasses the spoken language, written literature, cuisine, architecture, traditions, and history of the Kashmiri people native to the northern part of the Indian subcontinent.
The culture of Kashmir was influenced by the Persian as well as Central Asian cultures after the Islamic invasion of Kashmir. Kashmiri culture is heavily influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism and later by Islam.
Their dance, music, cuisine, carpet weaving and Koshur Sufiana forms a significant part of Kashmiri identity. Kashmiri culture is mainly followed by people living in Kashmir valley and Dodab of the Chenab region. The valley is known for the fine arts including traditional boats and houseboats, handicrafts and poetry
Cuisines of Kashmir
The history of modern Kashmiri cuisine can be traced back to the 15-century invasion of India by the Timurid Empire, which was based in and around modern day Afghanistan and Iran.
It brought around 1,700 skilled workers from the Samarkand region, including cooks, to Kashmir. These cooks settled in the region and their descendants are today “Wazas” — chefs — of Kashmir.
Kashmir Historian Abdul Ahad told Anadolu Agency that there are two vital parts of the region’s identity, “one is language and the other is food.”
“In any situation, this food has been cooked here for many years and you won’t find it in any other part of the world. The wazwan prepared and relished here is unique because of its ingredients, surroundings and water.”
Kashmiri beverages include Noon Chai or Sheer Chai and Kahwah or Kehew.
The Kashmir Valley is noted for its bakery tradition. Bakers sell various kinds of breads with golden brown crusts topped with sesame and poppy seeds. Tsot and tsochvor are small round breads topped with poppy and sesame seeds, which are crisp and flaky; sheermal, baqerkhayn (puff pastry), lavas (unleavened bread) and kulcha are also popular.
A person with a taste for non-vegetarian foods will definitely love a ‘Food Trip’ to Kashmir. But, this does not mean that Kashmir has nothing to serve the vegetarians. They have some amazing vegetarian delicacies too. Due to the abundant use of spices, most Kashmiri dishes are full of flavours. Here is a catalogue of famous dishes of Kashmir that one must try.
Rogan Josh
Yakhni
Matschgand
Kashmiri Muji Gaad
Modur Pulaw
Aab Gosht
Lyodur Tschaman
Kashmir is not only the land of picturesque mountains and lakes but also a land of flavours and aroma.
Unique in Kashmir
The traditional Kashmiri dress, Pheran, the unique copper kettles called Samovar, the earthen fire pots wrapped in woven wicker called Kangiri, handcrafted walnut furniture and souvenirs, etc. are some uncommon things to check out.