The word Ritucharya is an Ayurvedic practice comprising of two words, ‘Ritu’ meaning season, and ‘Charya’ meaning discipline. Ayurvedic Ritucharya is a lifestyle and a diet designed to help cope with physical and mental impacts caused by seasonal change.

According to Ayurveda, the year is divided into 2 time periods, Uttaryana (northern solstice), and Dakshinayana (southern solstice). They have 3 seasons each, making it a collective of 6 seasons altogether.

Uttaryana

1) Shishir Ritu (Winter)

The winter season calls for a cold and windy atmosphere throughout. People feel lethargic and less energetic. This season typically lasts from mid-January to mid-March.

Diet: Tarty foods like Amla, wheat/gram/flour items, pulses and cereals, corn, etc. are highly recommended. Eating milk and milk items, sugarcane, ginger, and garlic are also encouraged. Bitter, pungent, astringent, cool, and light foods are to be avoided

Lifestyle: To keep your body in a balanced state, massages, showering with tepid water, sunlight exposure, and warm clothes are beneficial.

2) Vasant Ritu (Spring)

This is the season of blooming flowers and leaves. This season typically lasts from mid-March to mid-May.

Diet: Foods that are easily digestible like cereals, rice, and wheat are recommended. Among pulses, Mugda, and Lentil are good choices. Bitter, pungent, and astringent foods are good during this time. However, heavy, cold, and viscous foods are to be avoided.

Lifestyle: Exercise is a must during this season. Massages with Kesara, Chandan and Aagaru, and showering with tepid water are beneficial. Avoid sleeping during the day.

3) Grishma Ritu (Summer)

Summer is the season of unhealthy winds. This season typically lasts from mid-May to mid-July.

Diet: Foods that can be quickly processed like lentils and rice are to be eaten. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids like fruit juices, cold water, mango juice, buttermilk, etc. A glass of milk with some sugar is good before going to bed.

Lifestyle: A lot of exercises and tiring work should be avoided. Staying in cool places, wearing light clothes, hanging blossoms around your house, and applying cooling pastes like sandalwood on your body is suggested.

Dakshinayana

1) Varsha Ritu (Monsoon)

This is the season of heavy downpours and cloudy skies. An individual’s energy level becomes low during this season. It typically lasts from mid-July to mid-September.

Diet: Tastes like Amla (tarty), Sneha (unctuous), and Lavana (salty) should be included in your diet. Old barley, wheat, and rice are good grains. Drinking soups and warm water is also considered beneficial.

However, the intake of excess fluids, and foods that are difficult to process like meats, are to be avoided.

Lifestyle: Bathing with hot water and a good massage is advisable during this time. Napping in the daytime, hard work, too much exercise, and drenching in the rain are considered harmful to your body.

2) Sharad Ritu (Autumn/Fall)

This season is considered to be a thing of beauty by many. The sun is beautiful and the skies are clear. This season typically lasts from mid-September to mid-November.

Diet: Foods that are light to process, sweet, and cold are recommended. Hot, bitter, and astringent foods, with lots of fats, meats, and curd are to be avoided.

Lifestyle: Naps during the day, excessive eating, and increased exposure to sunlight are a big NO-NO during this season.

3) Hemant Ritu (Late Autumn/ Pre-Winter)

Chilly breezes are a trademark of this season and your energy levels are extremely high. This season typically lasts from mid-November to mid-January.

Diet: Unctuous, tarty, salty, and sweet foods should be eaten. Milk and milk products, fatty foods, sugarcane items, and sesame should be incorporated into your meals. Avoid light and cool foods.

Lifestyle: A lot of exercise, a head-to-toe massage, hot showers, staying in warm places, wearing heavy garments and sunbath are suggested. Naps in the day and exposure to chilly winds should be avoided.

Be it any season we need to follow the routine that is suitable for the season. Visit us at Mekosha Ayurveda Spasuites Retreat and book yourself an Ayurvedic Getaway that is good for any season. This beautiful state of Kerala has the best Ayurvedic Treatment Packages along with the most gifted Ayurvedic Professionals waiting for you. Also, do not miss out on the Cuisines that we have to offer as well as our Communal table.