Wazwan: The Supreme Feast
When we are having quality time in the mountains of Kashmir Valley, we need something tasty and nutritious to fill our stomachs with. In the fresh air, amid the natural scenes of meadows, streams and forests, we ought to check out the local food. Talking about the Kashmiri cuisine, it includes marvellous dishes for every food lover that will amaze the visitor in every way.
Kashmiri cuisine consists of royal dishes for celebration, medicinal foods for better health, and dishes prepared for fighting the cold. Among these is the king-level feast of Kashmiri Wazwan, consisting of 40 or more dishes which remains the norm for celebration.
About The Blog
This blog is a production of Kashmir Online, a trusted and premium quality trip planner. In this article, we will explore the most sought-after feast in the Kashmir Valley, a symbol of the culture and tradition, Kashmiri Wazwan. We will talk about Wazwan as a winter feast, Kashmiri winter cuisine and other related topics.
History of Wazwan
Kashmiri Wazwan remains one of the most significant traditions among the Kashmiri population. Historians trace it to the Mughal Era and earlier. Having a Middle Eastern influence, Wazwan is the way of celebrating any special event for Kashmiri people. It is an integral part of a Kashmiri marriage and other functions.
Earlier, the Wazwan did not have as many dishes as can be seen today. The way of having Wazwan on a celebration has not changed to the day which is eating in groups of four on a big copper plate called ‘Trami’ in Kashmiri. Today, many practices stand intact in the Wazwan feast, some added and a few dropped.
Most Important Dishes
The most important and integral dishes in the Kashmiri Wazwan include Methi, Kebab, Tabak Maaz, Rogan Josh, Aab Gosh, Dani Phol, Waaze Kokur (roasted chicken), Rista, Yakhni, Dod Ras and Goshtaba. The dishes can be added or removed according to the occasion and liking.
There are mostly non-vegetarian dishes requiring lamb meat and chicken with few non-vegetarian ones. The preparation of all these dishes includes complex methods thus, not suitable for describing in this blog. We will cover them in future blogs. Wazwan is one of the best winter feasts in Kashmir.
The Experience
The best experience of Kashmiri Wazwan happens to be at a wedding. You sit in a group of four, waiting for the meal to be served, while the waza (chef in Kashmiri) is heating the dishes in large vessels. The tablecloth is spread on the floor (as Kashmiri people mostly eat on the floor) and the chefs bring a large plate covered with a copper lid or ‘Sar Posh’ in the local language.
You open the lid and look at the mouthwatering dishes on the plate. After starting the meal, various dishes are served one after another in a timed manner. The last dish called the Gushtaba marks the end of the feast. That is the unique style and royalness of one of the best winter feasts in Kashmir.
Conclusion
Kashmiri winter cuisine speaks a lot about the culture and traditions of the Kashmiri population. If you are visiting Kashmir, you have to try the Wazwan anyhow. Kashmir is an experience to boast about and remains in the minds and hearts of the travellers forever. I hope you like this blog. For any suggestions, the author’s email is here-[email protected].
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FAQs
Why do people call the Kashmiri Wazwan, a royal feast?
It is because of the history related to it and the way it is served. In earlier times, kings of Kashmir would gather for celebrations and have this feast. At that time, this feast remained limited mostly to the rich and royalty.
Why does Kashmiri Wazwan have meat and chicken dishes mostly?
The reason lies in the religious nature of Kashmir. The local population of Kashmir is majorly Muslim and therefore favours meat dishes more. It is also a fact that the Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir were also meat consumers and loved it very much.
Does Kashmiri winter cuisine only include wazwan?
No, the Kashmiri winter cuisine is vast and includes many other dishes and foods. But wazwan stands among the top ones.
Author is a student who loves to explore new corners of learning. He likes writing and travelling while taking challenges that question his abilities and skills. His hobbies are helping people and spending time in nature.