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The diet and lifestyle guidelines given by Ayurveda which should be followed in Shishira Rtu to preserve and promote health are mentioned under Shishira rutucharya. Thus, It can also be called as diet and lifestyle routine to be followed in Shishira rtu so as to prevent illnesses occurring due to the cold and dryness of shishira rtu. When this regimen is followed appropriately it helps one to maintain the balance of body energies namely doshas which ultimately help to maintain health and wellness in this season.  

The diet and lifestyle guidelines given by Ayurveda which should be followed to preserve and promote health in Shishira rtu  are discussed under Shishira rtucharya. These are the guidelines given by Ayurveda acharyas to help one to prevent illnesses occurring due to the cold and dryness of shishira rtu. When this regimen is followed appropriately it helps one to maintain the balance of body energies called as doshas which ultimately help to maintain health and wellness in this season.  

== What is Shishira rtu? How is it characterized? ==

== What is Shishira rtu? How is it characterized? ==

Climate in shishira

Shishira rtu is the coldest season of the year. It comes after Hemant rtu and before Vasanta rtu. It is characterized by cold climatic conditions. During this time some regions even witness snowfalls with temperatures falling to below zero degrees centigrade. Cold winds, dryness, occasional clouds and rainfall are some of the features that describe Shishir Rtu. This season is associated with dryness and dehydration. The cold air leads to increase in kapha as well as vata dosha levels. However the accompanying dryness in the weather leads to accumulation of Kapha Dosha and aggravation of Vata Dosha.

Mid-January to mid-March is considered as Shishir Rtu (Winter), which incorporates the months of Magh and Phalgun. This season is associated with dryness and dehydration, which leads to an accumulation of Kapha Dosha and the aggravation of Vata Dosha. According to Ayurveda, physical strength is at its peak during this time and it is the ideal period to build strength, stamina and immunity in our bodies..

== Months of shishira rtu as per calendar ==

Magha and Phalguna are the 2 months in the lunar calendar which fall under Shishira rtu. While, as per Gregorian calendar Shishira is grossly a a period from Mid-January to mid-March.  

# Magha OR Tapa- Mid-January to Mid-February

Magha(Tapa) Mid-January to Mid-February

# Phalguna OR Tapasya-Mid-February to Mid-March

 

Phalguna(Tapasya) Mid-February to Mid-March

== Shishira- The start of Uttarayana (Northern solstice) ==

== Shishira- The start of Uttarayana (Northern solstice) ==

तत्र रविर्भाभिराददानो जगतः स्नेहं वायवस्तीव्ररूक्षाश्चोपशोषयन्तः शिशिरवसन्तग्रीष्मेषु यथाक्रमं रौक्ष्यमुत्पादयन्तो रूक्षान् रसांस्तिक्तकषायकटुकांश्चाभिवर्धयन्तो नृणां दौर्बल्यमावहन्ति||६||

Shishir Ritu starts with the solstice, called Uttarayana in Vedic astrology. In the northern hemisphere, which includes India, the solstice signals the beginning of winter. In the southern hemisphere, it is the start of summer. Thus in Bharata, Shishira marks the beginning of Uttarayana or Adana kala. Adana kala is that kala in which the outside environment is such ta tit absorbs moisture and fluid from body leading to dehydration and reduction in energy levels. Shishira which marks the beginning of adana kala is characterized by climate having cold winds and dryness. Such environment leads to loss of moisture and increase in dryness of body. Acharya Charaka has described thee changes in environment and body as below,<blockquote>तत्र रविर्भाभिराददानो जगतः स्नेहं वायवस्तीव्ररूक्षाश्चोपशोषयन्तः शिशिरवसन्तग्रीष्मेषु यथाक्रमं रौक्ष्यमुत्पादयन्तो रूक्षान् रसांस्तिक्तकषायकटुकांश्चाभिवर्धयन्तो नृणां दौर्बल्यमावहन्ति||६||</blockquote>Meaning: In adana kala the Sun with its hot rays absorbs moisture from the environment. The excessively dry wind by virtue of its absorbing quality further causes dryness in shishira, vasanta, and grishma seasons progressively, leading to the predominance of tikta, kashaya, and katu [[Rasa (रसः)|rasa]] respectively and gradual increase of weakness in human beings during these three seasons.  

 

In adana kala the Sun with its hot rays absorbs moisture from the environment. The excessively dry wind by virtue of its absorbing quality further causes dryness in shishira, vasanta, and grishma seasons progressively, leading to the predominance of tikta, kashaya, and katu rasa respectively and gradual increase of weakness in human beings during these three seasons.  

 

strength

Therefore, Ayurveda believes that Shishira rtu which comes at the beginning of adana kala and end of visarga kala is one of the seasons that have maximum physical strength that one can have throughout the year. Shishira is the ideal period to build strength, stamina and immunity in our bodies.

== Shishira specific Diet and lifestyle regimen ==

== Shishira specific Diet and lifestyle regimen ==

In the shishira season, food and drinks that are predominantly pungent, bitter and astringent in taste, vata vitiating, and inherently light to digest and cold in properties should be avoided. [21]

Ayurveda believes that Katu, Tikta and kashaya rasa increase in the outer environment in Shishira Rtu. Increase in these rasas, cold wind and dryness in outer environment lead to aggravation of vata dosha. Aggravated Vata dosha might cause health related issues and thus it is important to know what food and lifestyle elements can help one balance naturally aggravated vata dosha and keep all the other body energies in balance in the season of cold and dry winters.  

At the advent of winter season intake of food and drinks that cause vata vitiation and inherently light to digest in property, (getting exposed to) strong winds, inadequate quantities of food, and intake of diluted gruel are contraindicated. [18]

In Shishira rtu, agni (the digestive fire) is strong and it can smoothly digest even the foods that are otherwise heavy on digestion. The key mantra is to eat food and drinks that are predominantly Amla (sour) as the predominant rasa (taste) are preferred. While those having pungent, bitter and astringent in taste, cold, dry in nature or inherently light to digest are best to be avoided.

Foods having Amla (sour) as the predominant taste are preferred. Cereals and pulses, wheat/gram flour products, new rice, corn, and others, are advised. Ginger, garlic, Haritaki (fruits of Terminalia chebula), Pippali (fruits of Piper longum), sugarcane products, and milk and milk products are to be included in the diet.

In order to protect one's body from cold and dryness of winters it is necessary to avoid (getting exposed to) strong winds. In case it is not possible, on should at least use clothing that can protect one from cold and dry winds. Also, excessive walking, sleep at late night are to be avoided which causes vata aggravation (Thakkar J, Chaudhari S, Sarkar PK. Ritucharya: Answer to the lifestyle disorders. ''Ayu''. 2011;32(4):466-471. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.96117)

Foods having Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent) predominant Rasa are to be avoided. Laghu (light) and Shita (cold) foods are advised to be prohibited.

[[Abhyanga (अभ्यङ्गम् )|Abhyangam]]: Although a part of dinacharya or daily routine, abhyangam is must in Shishira rtu. Massage with luke warm oils help to keep check on vata dosha in body, reduce skin dryness by locking the moisture.

Massage with oil/powder/paste, bathing with lukewarm water, exposure to sunlight, wearing warm clothes are mentioned to follow.

Bathing with luke warm water after abhyanga and udwartanam. Sun bath in region where the view of sun is obstructed for long time due to snowfall, cloudy atmosphere etc.  

Vata aggravating lifestyle like exposure to cold wind, excessive walking, sleep at late night, are to be avoided. (Thakkar J, Chaudhari S, Sarkar PK. Ritucharya: Answer to the lifestyle disorders. ''Ayu''. 2011;32(4):466-471. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.96117)

Physical activities that need strength and give pleasure are best suited for this season. Since it does not lead to energy loss of individual.  

== Festivals celebrated in Bharata to encourage people to adopt shishira rutucharya ==

== Festivals celebrated in Bharata to encourage people to adopt shishira rutucharya ==

Sankranti  

Sankranti  

Diwali- sweets, snacks- तस्मात्तुषारसमये स्निग्धाम्ललवणान् रसान्| औदकानूपमांसानां मेद्यानामुपयोजयेत्||११||

Diwali- sweets, snacks- तस्मात्तुषारसमये स्निग्धाम्ललवणान् रसान्| औदकानूपमांसानां मेद्यानामुपयोजयेत्||११||