KHOLO KHEESA KHAAVO HARISSA

Another round of rains and snow in hills over here. Another  National Highway blockade on account of slips at Banihal Tunnel area. Chlls , Cold waves and sleet . Snow in Gulmarg , Banihal and upper reaches of Valley. What to do ? sit , Relax ,sip Tea and Have HARISAA . Incidentally HARISAA is an Arabic word meaning breaking into pieces . Our elders would sometimes say

“KOLAA HARISAA KARRAY ”


“ YOU FOOL , I SHALL BREAK YOU TO PIECES . ”

As the cold increases , people over here line up outside HARISAA shops to buy this porridge for the morning breakfast . We used to see these shops at Fateh Kadal , Nawa kadal , Sura Teng Rainawari and down town area only . Now they are in plenty and almost everywhere . HARISAA is sold in some hotels as well.

Harisaa is made from Boneless Mutton with traditional  spices and saffron . O! it is steamed , simmered and served Hot with TSECH VOR ( kashmiri Bread ) .I used to see the HARISAA shop busy with customers in SURRA TENG Rainawari in early morning hours . Some would eat it hot at the shop only while others would carry it home. Who does not like it?  I have seen Businessmen, Bureaucrats, Professionals ,Legislators and students having it hot . They say it keeps you warm during extreme winters. Can winter actually be fought with mouth watering HARISAA  alone ? Enjoy two views of a Tradional HARISAA shop in Srinagar with two lines from an urdu Poem of noted poet Bekal Utsaahi. i am touched by these lines . This is for those sons who left their parents back home and are busy in making big bucks without  knowing how  parents are going through their lives back home.

Boodhi Maa ke ilaaj ki scheme ,
Gaon waale Banarahe honge .
Maa ke aansoo ye sonchte honge,
Mere betay kama rahe honge.
(Bekal Utsaahi)


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