Six Seasons in Ayurveda (Shadaritu)


                 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"

Ritucharya/ Shada- ritucharya

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.

Kaala

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). 

1. Adaana Kaala

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). 

2. Visarga Kaala

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). 

Six seasons/ Shada-Ritu

As it is already mentioned that these two Kaalas consist of three seasons each i.e.

Adaan Kaal/ Northern Solstice/ Uttaryana (14 January to 14 July)

  • Shishira Ritu (Winter)- mid January to mid March
  • Vasanta Ritu (Spring)- mid March to mid May
  • Grishma Ritu (Summer)- mid May to mid July

Visarga Kaal/  Southern Solstice/ Dakshinayana (14 July to 14 January) 

  • 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.  

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