The Ayurvedic Ritucharya or Seasonal Routine!

In our previous post, we spoke about the Ayurvedic Dinacharya or Daily Routine in detail. Now, let’s talk about the Seasonal Routine or Ritucharya.

As mentioned earlier, Ayurveda divides a year or 12 months into six seasons. The year as such is divided into two Kaals, with three seasons forming each Kaal. These two Kaals are:

1. Aadaan Kaal or Uttarayana or Northern Solstice, and

2. Visarga Kaal or Dakshinayana or Southern Solstice.

Aadaan means taking away and Visarga means giving. So, basically the division of the year is done based on the position of the Sun. Aadaan Kaal is when Sun sucks out or absorbs the energy from the Earth and its beings, and Visarga Kaal is when the Sun gives out energy to the Earth. Therefore, during Aadaan Kaal, the living beings on the Earth feel weakened and debilitated and lacking in energy. While during the Visarga Kaal, they feel full of life with plenty of energy.

The Kaals are sub-divided into Ritus or seasons. Each Kaal comprises of three seasons of two months each - So, altogether six Ritus or seasons in a year. These seasons are:

1. Early Winter or Hemanta Ritu,

2. Late Winter of Shishir Ritu,

3. Spring or Vasanta Ritu,

4. Summer or Greeshma Ritu,

5. Rainy Season or Varsha Ritu, and

6. Autumn or Sharat Ritu.

Like it is important to follow the Ayurvedic Daily Routines, it is equally important to follow the Ayurvedic Seasonal Routines or Ritucharya for us to stay in good shape and health. Seasons change… and our eating habits, lifestyle, physical activity and everything else needs to change accordingly. Simply because, our body is built in such a way that it responds to every season in a unique fashion. And we need to aid our body in doing so by adapting according to the needs of the season. When we fail to do so, that is when diseases come knocking.

For example: During the winter season, our digestive fire is at its best as it is concentrated at the center of the stomach. And that is the reason why we have a rich appetite during winters. But come summer, and we automatically lose our appetite. But just because, we love eating, we can’t force our digestive system by providing excess food. The result would certainly be disastrous.

So, it is paramount for us to adapt our eating and lifestyle habits according to the season. By doing so, we can keep our Doshas, Dhatus, Agni, Malas and sense organs in balance. And if we do that successfully, then Ayurveda ensures us great health in every season.

Stay tuned, as in our next post, we will talk about the Seasonal Routines or Ritucharya in detail.