Srinagar, Dec 10 : With winter and snowfall coming early in Kashmir valley, Kangri (fire pot) a traditional wicker-work basket used as a heater with embers in it, is selling like hot cakes.

The Kangris helps people to keep warm despite the electronic heating gadgets available in markets.

Kangri, which holds hot embers inside, is used as a portable heater during winter. The wicker basket with the coal embers is held within the folds of the long and loose pherans (traditional garment) during winter.

The entrepreneurs dealing with Kangri can''t stop rejoicing as mercury dips down.

There has been a surge in the sale of Kangris, with the traditional heater being sought after to beat the cold both in rural and urban areas.

"The demand has increased a lot. The snowfall usually happens in mid December, but this year it happened much before. This is why the demand of Kangri has gone up," said Javed Bhat, a Kangri maker.

Kashmiris find Kangri easy to make and carry, unlike electrical heating devices. The pots are also given to brides as marriage gifts. A Kangri costs between 25 to 120 rupees on an average.

Emphasising the merits of Kangri as a heating device, which makes it unparallel vis-a-vis electrical and gas heating appliances, Kashmiris say that the traditional device would continue to be most preferred.

"Without Kangri, the people of Kashmir will find it far more difficult to survive. The tradition of making the Kangri will continue," said Shafi, a customer. (ANI