In Kashmir, every season with a drop in temperature brings back the age old device Kangri (Kangdi - as pronounced by non-Kashmiris) being the prized possession of people. Even the modern heating gadgets cannot replace the indigenous device Kangri using charcoal as fuel, due to its portability and size. During winter days one can see Kashmiris with Kangri is an earthen ware bowl set in a decoratively, woven willow wicker case in a quaint shape. Earlier the Kangri was earthen-ware pot called as Mannan. Later the Mannan got encased in wicker followed by further innovation but without changing the basic pattern which is today’s Kangir.

In the year 1835 GT Vigne described Kangri as a basket with a handle containing a vessel of earthenware about the size of about 42 lb short into which is put a small quantity of lighted charcoal." The Kangri consists of two pars: the inner earthen part called Kundal and the outer one that of wicker work, some times

ornamented with rings and colours. A silver spoon or some wooden pieces tied to the outer handle for the charcoal to move about is known as Taslan. The Kangri word may have been derived from Sanskrit Kut Angara, or Stein’s Kashthangarika, Kut signifying bitterness and Angara or angari meaning a portable fire-places or Kani a switch and gar the maker.

Dr W F Elmshe, observed that the locals of Kashmir probably learned the use of the Kangri from the Italians who used to visit the vale during the Mughal Emperors time. Anyway how the Kangri must have come to the beautiful vale is another tale.

Water R Lawrence, the settlement commissioner, Kashmir and Jammu in his book, The valley of Kashmir says that there is a proverb "What Laila was on Majnuns bosom so is Kangari to a Kashmiri. Kangri is made at very few places in Kashmir valley and except for minor structural differences all Kangries are similar. A Kangri from south Kashmir has a wide earthen bowl while a Kangari from north is conical and elongated and a Kangri from Tsrar-i-Sharief combines elegance with utility.

This Kangri has a smaller earthen pot and the willow weaving is more intricate, it is known as Tsrar Kangar. Tsrar Kangri of a special category for a new bride is made of a most superior wicker, dyed in different colours to create an ornamental effect. This type of bridal Kangri is woven with number of rounds ranging form two sets (Ze-Zal). Such Kangries in particular have an elongated prodder tehalan hanging to the Koph wicker handle with a silver or willow chain. Some times this type of Kangari has an engraved silver prodder tchalan where as a routine Kangri has wooden, iron or almunium prodder tchalan to rekindle the smoldering embers in the pot today Kangar has become part and parcel of a Kashmiri life especially in winter which lasts about five months between Nov-March. It has assumed social as well as religious significance. On the day of Shivratri a Hindu, Kashmiri Pandit, bride has to necessarily carry on elegantly designed Kangri which is gifted to a Hindu bride by her in-laws on Shushur the first day of her winter with in-laws. This Kangari is gifted with some money placed in its earthen bowl and the relations are given a banquet. And on Makar Sankaranti which heralds the first day of coldest part of the winter, Kashmiri Pandit give Kangari with embers as alms with a belief that his dead kith and kin might get warmth wherever they might be. Kangari is always filled with smouldering coal covered with semi burnt layer of chinar leaves. However, the gest fuel for Kangri is Hak, the small driftwood collected at the mouth of hill rivers by nets. As winter draws near collecting and storage of charcoal to be used in winter begins.

Kangar warms the body in winter and people walk miles together carrying it with them. People carrying Kangri involved in petty quarrels use it as a weapon and hurl it at their opponents. But on the other hand Kangar helps to cure in digestion, common cold and cough.

The object that marks the tradition of Kashmir and has now been identified with the domesticity of a Kashmiri household.