A season is a division of the year characterised by particular weather conditions, temperature etc. Seasons result from the yearly revolution of the earth around the sun and the tilt of the earth's axis relative to the plane of revolution.
According to Ayurveda a year is divided into two parts (kaals), based on the position of the sun:
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Aadaan kaal (Uttarayan) : When sun takes North Way course. Aadaan means taking away. During Aadaan kaal which is considered Hot (Aagneya) the sun and wind are powerful. The sun takes away the strength of the people and the cooling qualities of the earth. It is the period when body strength is weakened. This period consists of three seasons: Sihir, Vasanta, and Grishma.
Visarga kaal (Dakshinayaan) : When sun takes South way course. Visarga means giving. During Visarga kaal which is considered Cool (Soumya), the sun releases strength to the people. The moon is more powerful, and the earth becomes cool due to the clouds, rain, and cold wind. This period consists of three seasons: Varsha, Sharad and Hemant.
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Ayurveda also delineates the ascendant and descendant of strength as per Ritu (Season) which is as follows:
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Low Strength
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Medium Strength
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High Strength
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Beginning of Visarga Kaal
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Mid of Visarga Kaal
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End of Visarga Kaal
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End of Aadaan Kaal
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Mid of Aadaan Kaal
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Beginning of Aadaan Kaal
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In Ayurveda, the season is referred to as 'RITU' and the year as 'SAMVATSAR'. One year (Samvatsar) consists of six Seasons (Ritu) i.e. each ritu consists of two months. The Ancient seers of Ayurveda highlighted the relationship between season and health and recommended proper seasonal regimens. The Season affects the physiology of human beings, so if an appropriate regimen is not followed then one may not cope with the seasonal changes and fall ill. So to attain the maximum benefits from the good qualities of the Season and protection from its bad effects, Ayurveda prescribes certain rules regarding diet, behaviour and medicines which is called seasonal regimen or RITUCHARYA (Seasonal regimen).
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S No. |
Name of Ritu
(Season)
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Month
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Recommended
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Restricted
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Diet
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Regimen
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Diet
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Regimen
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1.
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Shishir
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Maagh and Phalgun (About Mid January to Mid March)
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Unctuous, Sweet, sour taste diet. Meat of animals of damp region
Wine, honey, Milk, milk products, sugarcane products, New Cereals,
edible oils ,hot water.
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Massage Sudation
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Much Spicy, Bitter, Astringent taste diet Light and cold food
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Much travelling
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2.
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Vasant
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Chaitra and Baishakh
(About Mid March-Mid May)
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Barley, old wheat, honey, roasted meat,
Beverages
such as asava (fermented infusion), sidhu (fermented sugarcane juice),
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Emesis (Vaman)
Physical exercise.
Dry massage.
Medicated
smoke inhalation
Keeping medicated liquid in mouth
APPLY camphor
or sandalwood Intercourse.
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Heavy, sour, sweet, unctuous food
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Sleeping in day time.
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3.
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Grishma
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Jyasth and Aasadha
(About Mid-May to Mid July)
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Sweet, cold, unctuous, light, liquid food
Beverages with sugar.
Meat of birds, quadrupeds,
cold water
milk
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Sleep in day time at a cool place
Apply sandalwood paste on body.
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Sour , salty and spicy food
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Exercise, intercourse
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4. |
Varsha |
Shraavan and Bhadrapad
(Mid July to Mid September) |
Food and drinks should be taken with honey
Sour, salty, fatty food
Old cereals
Like barley, wheat, rice
Meat of Arid animals
Vegetable soup
For drinking use boiled cool water |
Rub the body
Take bath
Wear aromatic garlands
Wear light and
clean apparels
Live in a place devoid of humidity |
Groat diluted in excess
Water of rivers |
Sleeping in day
Excessive exercises
Moving in Sun
Sexual
intercourse |
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5. |
Sharad |
Ashvin and Kaartik
(About Mid September to Mid November) |
Sweet, light, cold and bitter food and drinks
Meat of Common
quail, antelope, sheep, rabbit etc
Cereals like wheat, rice, barley
Ghee medicated with bitter herbs
Water exposed to the sunlight for
whole day and to the moonlight in night in this season is called as
'HANSODAK' and this water should for drinking, Bathing and swimming
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Purgation
Blood letting
Clean cloths for wearing
Garlands made
of seasonal flowers
Staying in moonlight in evening |
Oil
meat of aquatic and marshy animals
alkaline salt preparations
curd
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Sun bath
Sleeping during day time
Exposure to easterly wind and
frost |
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6. |
Hemant |
Margshirsh and Pausha
(Mid November - Mid January) |
Unctuous, sour and salty taste food
Meat of borrow dwelling animals
and aquatic animals and animals who eat food by snatching
Wine with
honey
Milk and milk products
Sugarcane and its products
Oil
New rice
Hot water
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Massage
Apply hair oil
Fomentation
Live in basement or inner
heated house
The vehicles, seat and bed should be properly covered by
silk cloth or blanket etc
Wear heavy and warm cloths
May indulge
in sexual intercourse |
Light food and drinks
Intake of gruel
starvation |
Exposure to cold wave |
