Seasons are the very important part for both healthy and patient especially in Ayurveda. Because seasons are undertaken as the diagnostic tool in many of the diseases or there are so manuy of diseases which are only occurs because of the seasonal changes. In Ayurveda the seasons are called as “Ritu”. And Ayurveda mentions about the proper seasonal regimen for all the six types of seasons. And these seasonal regimen are called as “Ritucharaya”
Rituacharya is the ancient Ayurvedic practice and is comprised of two words, “Ritu” which means season and “charya” which means Regimen or discipline. Ritucharya consists of lifestyle and Ayurvedic diet routine to cope with the bodily and mental impacts caused by seasonal changes as recommended by Ayurveda . Ritucharya enables us to build our physical strength and mental capability to fight against the ailments that may happen due to seasonal changes. At the same time it will protect the body from the external changes in the environment because of that particular season. In addition to that, it balances all the three Doshas in our body and keeps us fit and healthy throughout the year.
Shada- ritucharya is the Sanskrit term which means six seasonal regimens, because there are six seasons or Ritu as per the Ayurveda. These Ritu are classified from an complete year, that means there are six season in a single year of 365 days or 12 months. Which means two months combined to form a season or Ritu.
The Kaala is again an Sanskrit term which denotes the time. Or it can be used as the measuring unit of time. As an year is divided into two Kaals, which composed of three seasons, that finally gives six seasons. Each seasons lasts for two months and mainly founded in Asian continent. These classification is based on the movements of Chandra (moon) and Surya (sun).
In this time period the the strength of Sun is more in comparison to the Moon. It is also called as “Agneya kaala”, “Udgayaney Kaala” and “Surya Uttarayana Kaala”. It consist of Shishira, Vasanata and Grishma ritus (which will be explained further).
In this time period the the strength of Moon is more in comparison to the Sun. It is also called as “Soumya kaala” and “Surya Dakshinayna Kaala”. It consist of Varsha, Sharda and Hemanta ritus (which will be explained further).
As it is already mentioned that these two Kaalas consist of three seasons each i.e.
Shishira Ritu (Winter)- mid January to mid March
Vasanta Ritu (Spring)- mid March to mid May
Grishma Ritu (Summer)- mid May to mid July
Varsha Ritu (Mosnsoon)- mid July to mid September
Sharada Ritu (Autmn/ fall)- mid September to mid November
Hemanta Ritu (Late Autmn/ Pre- Winter)- mid November to mid January
Each season has its particular diet regimen and lifestyle regimen which should be followed in Ayurveda to make the body disease free. which will be explained in further articles.
