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Ritu Charya — ऋतु चर्या
Seasonal Regimen — living in harmony with nature's rhythms
Ayurveda describes six seasons (Ritus) in the Indian calendar year. Each season has a dominant dosha energy, and aligning your diet and lifestyle to each season is essential for maintaining health, preventing disease, and living in harmony with nature.
Six Seasons at a Glance
| Season | Months | Dominant Dosha | Diet Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vasant (Spring) | Mar–May | Kapha | Cleansing, light, bitter |
| Grishma (Summer) | Jun–Jul | Pitta | Cooling, hydrating, sweet |
| Varsha (Monsoon) | Aug–Sep | Vata | Warming, digestive, light |
| Sharad (Autumn) | Oct–Nov | Pitta | Purifying, cooling, bitter |
| Hemant (Early Winter) | Dec–Jan | Kapha | Nourishing, heavy, oily |
| Shishira (Late Winter) | Feb–Mar | Vata | Warming, pungent, sour |
The Six Ritus — Seasonal Guides
Vasant
वसन्त
Mar–May
Kapha dominantLight foods, bitter taste — cleansing & rejuvenation
- ✓Eat barley, millet, light grains
- ✓Use honey (old/mature)
- ✓Favour bitter vegetables
- ✓Avoid heavy dairy and oily foods
Avoid: Heavy meals, excess dairy, oily foods, daytime sleep
Full Guide →Grishma
ग्रीष्म
Jun–Jul
Pitta dominantCooling, hydrating, light — pacify Pitta
- ✓Coconut water, cool fruits
- ✓Sweet, light, liquid foods
- ✓Avoid spicy & hot foods
- ✓Rose water, sandalwood drinks
Avoid: Hot spicy foods, excess exercise, prolonged fasting, alcohol
Full Guide →Varsha
वर्षा
Aug–Sep
Vata dominantWarming, easily digestible — strengthen Agni
- ✓Old stored grains (rice, wheat)
- ✓Ginger, cumin, mustard seeds
- ✓Soups and warm broths
- ✓Boiled or well-cooked foods
Avoid: Raw salads, heavy foods, unboiled water, excess cold
Full Guide →Sharad
शरद
Oct–Nov
Pitta dominantCooling, purifying — release accumulated Pitta
- ✓Ghee, rice, sweet fruits
- ✓Bitter greens, pomegranate
- ✓Light protein, mung dal
- ✓Avoid heavy/sour fermented foods
Avoid: Hot spices, fermented foods, yogurt, sour taste, alcohol
Full Guide →Hemant
हेमन्त
Dec–Jan
Kapha dominantNourishing, heavy, oily — build Ojas
- ✓Ghee, milk, sesame products
- ✓Root vegetables, wheat
- ✓Warm soups, stews
- ✓Sesame oil massage (abhyanga)
Avoid: Light/dry foods, prolonged fasting, cold foods and drinks
Full Guide →Shishira
शिशिर
Feb–Mar
Vata dominantWarming, pungent, sour — pacify Vata & Kapha
- ✓Fermented foods (in moderation)
- ✓Warm spiced soups
- ✓Ginger, black pepper, long pepper
- ✓Honey with warm water (morning)
Avoid: Cold food/drinks, excess sweet, raw foods, daytime sleep
Full Guide →Indian vs. Western Seasons
The Ayurvedic six-season calendar is based on the Indian subcontinent's climate and follows the Hindu lunar calendar (Panchanga). The timing differs from Western four-season calendars. Ritu Charya is best adapted to your local climate — if you live outside India, observe the qualities (guna) of your current season (e.g. hot, dry, cold, wet) and apply the corresponding Ayurvedic guidelines.