What is the Ritucharya in Ayurveda?

Ritucharya is an Ayurvedic discipline that focuses on consuming seasonal produce and living a lifestyle that is in tune with each season. One can avoid seasonal illnesses by keeping the body and mind in sync with nature.
Ritucharya in Ayurveda provides a holistic approach to aligning one's lifestyle and diet with the changing seasons. This blog will cover the six different kinds of Ritucharya and the diet and lifestyle each regimen requires.
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What is Ritucharya?
The Sanskrit word “Ritucharya” is comprised of two words. “Ritu” means season, and “Charya” means regimen. Ritucharya in ancient Ayurvedic practice is maintaining a lifestyle and diet routine to deal with the physical and mental impact one faces during seasonal changes.
Ritucharya in Ayurveda helps us build our physical and mental strength so that we can battle the various ailments that may happen due to seasonal changes. Practising this regime enables one to balance the three doshas (Pitta, Vata, and Kapha) in our body.
Ayurveda divides a year into two “Kaalas” periods, and each Kaal is further divided into three seasons. So, according to Ayurveda, there are six seasons in a particular year. Each of these seasons lasts approximately two months, and they are synonymous with the weather seen in the Indian subcontinent.
List of 6 Ritucharya According to Ayurveda
We know that the external environment, due to seasonal changes, influences our body. During the changes in the seasons, one’s body may fall to Dosha Vaishamya and become susceptible to catching diseases. As previously discussed, Ritucharya divides the year into 2 Kaalas and 3 seasons each, and these are:
Adaan Kaal/Uttarayan/Northern Solstice

Duration: 14th January- 14th July
This Kaal is characterised by intense sunlight and powerful winds, and as a result, all the strength and energy from humans gets sapped away. Moreover, the Sun also takes away the Earth’s cooling quality during this time. This Kaala is divided into the following three subcategories or seasons:
1. Shishir Ritu/Winter

In the Shishir Ritu, the Earth’s environment is cold and windy. As a result, people’s strength decreases. The cold and wet season also increases the Kapha energies in one’s body. If you want to keep the aggravating Kapha balanced, your Agni element should burn even brighter.
2. Vasant Ritu/Spring

People often refer to spring as the season of flowers; during Vasant Ritu, new flowers and leaves bloom everywhere. An individual’s strength tends to be at moderate levels during this time. The Earth and Air elements combine to create a lively transition. Furthermore, the Kapha energies also start decreasing during this season.
3. Grishma Ritu/Summer

In the Grishma Ritu, the weather is usually extremely hot, and unhealthy winds called “loo” blow during this time of the year in most parts of India. Lakes and rivers dry up easily, and plants start to look lifeless and become weak. Moreover, the fire and air energies dominated during this time, so the Pitta and Vata energies increased in one’s body.
One's Agni remains at an all-time low during this season, so it is important to consume light to digest food. One should also avoid long exposure to sunlight and heavy exercise.
Visarga Kaal/ Dakshinayana/ Southern Solstice

Duration: 14th July to 14th January
In this Kaal, the days are shorter, and the nights are longer. Moreover, in India, people often discourage one from participating in or hosting auspicious works. The three different seasons under this Kaal are:
4. Varsha Ritu/Monsoon

In this season, the sky remains cloudy, and it rains almost all the time. Generally, thunderstorms do not accompany these rainfalls. Monsoons bring great respite to humans and nature because the dry lakes and rivers are again filled with water. However, one’s Agni gets extremely dampened during this season as the Earth and Fire energies are elevated in this season.
5. Sharad Ritu/Autumn/Fall

This season provides one last surge of dryness and warmth just after the rainy season. The Agni and digestive fire in a human’s body again starts to gain strength. Moreover, this season pacifies the weakened Vata and Pitta Doshas.
6. Hemant Ritu/ Late Autumn/ Early Winter

In this season, you will feel a cool breeze and a slight chill in the air. Earth and water elements dominated during Hemant Ritu. Moreover, this season pacifies Pitta doshas in one's body. Individuals regain all their strength, which is highest at this time.
What are the Benefits of Ritucharya?
In Ayurveda, among seasonal treatments, Ritucharya aims to adjust the body and mind to the habits according to the season. Following Ritucharya brings several benefits, including but not limited to the following:
How to Perform Ritucharya?

Performing Ritucharya involves aligning your lifestyle and diet with the changing seasons to maintain balance and health. Here’s a guide to help you practice Ritucharya effectively:
- Step 1: Understand Seasonal Impact: Begin by understanding the characteristics and impact of each season (Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemanta, Shishira) on your body and mind.
- Step 2: Follow an Ayurvedic Diet: Follow an Ayurvedic diet tailored to the season. For example, in summer, consume cooling foods and drinks; in winter, opt for warming foods.
- Step 3: Daily Routine Adaptation: Align your daily activities with seasonal rhythms. For instance, wake up early in spring and summer to harness the increasing energy of the day.
- Step 4: Detox for Seasonal Cleansing: Engage in seasonal detox routines to cleanse and rejuvenate your body. This could include fasting or consuming detoxifying herbs and foods.
- Step 5: Physical Activities Adjustments: Choose activities that suit the season. In warmer months, opt for outdoor exercises; in cooler months, consider indoor or gentle exercises.
- Step 6: Skincare Customisation: Adjust your skincare routine to address seasonal skin issues. Use hydrating and cooling products in summer and warming, moisturising products in winter.
- Step 7: Seasonal Herb Incorporation: Use beneficial herbs for the season. For example, consume cooling herbs like mint in summer and warming herbs like ginger in winter.
Ritucharya in Ayurveda has always preached about living a life in tune with the ongoing seasons. Individuals should eat seasonal fruits and vegetables as they grow during that season and are more suitable for that weather. Though the once-seasonal products are available throughout the year, it is advisable to stick to natural diets.
Consuming something unsuitable for a particular season leads one to contract various unwanted health issues. That is why it is important to follow the diet and lifestyle lessons of Ritucharya.