The 'Pheran' is the traditional dress worn by the men and women of:

The Pheran (Phiran or Feran) is the traditional outer garment of Kashmir, worn by both men and women. It is a long, loose gown that falls to below the knees, with wide sleeves and no buttons or a simple opening at the neck.

Features of the Pheran:

• In winter, it is made of wool or tweed; in summer, of cotton.
• Women's pherans are often decorated with beautiful embroidery, called "tilla" (gold or silver thread work) or "aari" work, around the neck, cuffs and pockets.
• Kashmiri Pandit women traditionally wore a pheran with a "poots" (an inner garment) and a headdress called "taranga" or "kalpush", while Muslim women wore a headdress called "kasaba".
• Men's pherans are usually plain.

The pheran is closely linked with the "kangri" (also called kanger). This is a small earthen fire-pot holding hot coals, set inside a woven willow-wicker basket. In the cold winters, people keep the kangri inside the loose pheran, close to their body, to stay warm. The pheran's loose shape is ideal for this.

Some historians believe the pheran was introduced or made popular in Kashmir by the Mughal emperor Akbar after he conquered Kashmir in 1586, while others believe it is much older and came from Central Asia. Pheran Day is celebrated in Kashmir to promote this traditional dress.

Other traditional dresses of the Himalayan regions:

• Ladakh: the "goncha", a long woollen robe, and the "perak", a headdress of turquoise stones worn by women.
• Himachal Pradesh: the "Kullu topi" (cap) and "pattu" (a woollen shawl).
• Sikkim: the "bakhu" (kho), a loose robe worn by the Bhutias.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Ladakh's traditional dress is the goncha and perak.
• ✗Himachal Pradesh is known for the Kullu cap and pattu.
• ✗Sikkim is known for the bakhu.