Vasanta Rutucharya (वसन्त ऋतुचर्या)

Vasanta Rutu/ Rtu (शरद ऋतुः) is one of the 6 seasons of the Hindu calendar year. Chaitra (चैत्रः) and Vaishakha (वैशाखः) masas (मासाः months) comprise of this season. It is the period of the year that can be called as Spring. It is the period of the year when the winter season in Bharata (भारतः) ends and the summer sets in. Hence this is the transition period from cold of winters to heat of summers. Therefore the diet, lifestyle regime, do's and dont's for this season are peculiar and are described under Vasanta rutucharya (ऋतुचर्या).

वसन्तमासाः॥ Months of Hindu calendar for Vasanta rtu

As per Hindu calendar in Bharata, for every 2 months there is one season. Therefore for 12 months there are 6 seasons. However the seasons are listed with little variation in the names in 2 different cases. The list of season and months in Hindu calendar is given below,

No.	Rtu list 1	Hindu calendar months	Corresponding season
1	Shishira (शिशिरः)	Magha, Phalguna	Winter
2	Vasanta (वसंतः)	Chaitra, Vaishakha	Spring
3	Grishma (ग्रीष्मः)	Jyeshtha, Ashadha	Summer
4	---	---	Early Monsoon
5	Varsha (वर्षा)	Shravana, Bhadrapada	Monsoon
6	Sharad (शरदः)	Ashvin, Kartika	Autumn
7	Hemanta (हेमंतः)	Margashirsha, Pausha	Winter or late autumn

The month of Chaitra, Vaishakha make up the Vasanta rtu.  

• फाल्गुनचैत्रौ वसन्तः (Sush. Samh 6.10)

• तत्र माघादयो द्वादश मासाः, द्विमासिकमृतुं कृत्वा षडृतवो भवन्ति; ...........मधुमाधवौ वसन्तः, (Sush . Samh. 6.6)

• मधुः चैत्रः, माधवः वैशाखः| (Dalhana commentary on Sush . Samh. 6.6)

Thus, Chaitra and Vaishakha are the 2 months in the lunar calendar which fall under Vasanta rtu. While, as per Gregorian calendar Hemanta is grossly a period from Mid March to Mid May.

1. Chaitra or Madhu (मधु) - Mid March -Mid April
2. Vaishakha or Madhava (माधवः)- Mid April to Mid May

अव्यापन्नवसन्तऋतुलक्षणानि॥ Characteristics of Vasanta Rtu

Vasanta rtu is called as the king of the 6 rtus. The reason behind it being the pleasant and cheerful weather in this season. Vasanta appears after the chilling cold of the winters and before the extremely hot weather of Greeshma. The temperature level reaches an optimum level and flowers begin to blossom. It is the season when the dormant buds, trees start blooming on getting sufficient sunlight and warmth to grow. The darkness of night starts reducing and the daytime light span starts increasing gradually. The life on the earth is not in a dormant stage but starts surfacing, growing and blooming once again after dormant period of winters. Branches of the trees start bearing new tender leaves. The blooming flowers on the mountains like Malaya spread their fragrance everywhere through the blowing winds causing happiness and energy in the atmosphere. The weather is clear (unlike smoky and foggy air of winters). Forests are adorned with the blossoming trees like Kinshuka (Forest flame). Birds like cuckoo and bees sing and represent happy cheerful life on the earth. The nature of spring or vasanta affects humans in such a way that one can feel the energy, affection and love in the air growing.

The advent of Vasant Ritu marks the end of cold winter season. In the northern parts of the country, Vasant Ritu heralds the beginning of outdoor activities like Kite flying and colourful Holi festival. The mid-point of Vasant Ritu is characterised by Vernal Equinox, which is also known as Vasant Sampat or Vasant Vishuva in the Vedic astrology. Equinoxes refers to tilt in the Earth’s axis in a manner that the inclination is neither towards nor away from the Sun. Equinoxes occur twice every year, during the spring and autumn season. Vernal Equinox is observed on the 20th or 21st of March and is characterised by equivalent number of hours during days and nights.

वसन्ते अग्निदोषादीनां गतिः॥ The status of bio-energies in body in Vasanta

The change of weather conditions affect the bio energies of human body. Atmosphere or weather of every season leads to some changes in the levels of Dosha, Dhatu, mala and agni in human body. There is either aggravation, vitiation or pacification of a particular element. Acharya Charaka and Acharya Vagbhata have clearly explained the effect of Vasanta rtu on these body elements.

कफश्चितो हि शिशिरे वसन्तेऽर्कांशुतापितः| हत्वाऽग्निं कुरुते रोगानतस्तं त्वरया जयेत्||१८|| (Asht. Hrud. Su. 3.18)

वसन्ते निचितः श्लेष्मा दिनकृद्भाभिरीरितः| कायाग्निं बाधते रोगांस्ततः प्रकुरुते बहून्||२२|| (Char. Samh. Su 6.22)

The major change occurs in the state and strength of Agni. In the previous Shishira rtu, Kapha dosha has accumulated due to excess cold weather. This accumulated Kapha gets aggravated and starts mobilizing from all the parts of the body due to increasing temperature, looking as if it is melting down. This excess kapha then affects the agni and lowers down its strength. Agni strength is directly proportional to the immunity and inversely proportional to the disease development in one's body. Hence weakness of agni further lays foundation for development of various diseases in Vasanta Rtu if appropriate regime is not followed. Status of all the body elements in Vasanta is described in the table below,

The status of body elements in Vasanta Rtu

	Body element	Status in Vasanta
1	Doshas	Kapha is predominantly aggravated with little amount of Vata
2	Agni	Weak
3	Dhatus	Moderate strength

ऋतुचर्याविधानम्॥ Rtucharya for Vasanta

Imbalance in the levels of functional elements or bio-energies of body caused due to the vasanta rtu can be controlled and illnesses due to these can be prevented by following a certain regime. This is called as Vasanta rtucharua vidhana and is discussed in brief below.

वसन्ते अपथ्यानि ॥ What should be strictly avoided in Vasanta rtu?

There are certain diet and lifestyle related things that should be strictly avoided in order to create balance and prevent illnesses in Vasanta rtu. The factors are listed below.

• One must avoid eating food that is heavy to digest, unctuous or fatty (high calorie) and cold. This means especially the fried food should be avoided in this season.
• Food that are sweet and sour in taste should be avoided. Hence desserts, ice-creams, sweets are best to be avoided.
• Day time sleep is strictly prohibited in this season. Day time sleep is known as Diwaswapan (दिवास्वपनम्) in Ayurveda. It is said to aggravating Kapha dosha predominantly. In this season the Kapha is aggravated already due to the seasonal changes
• Cold air, water, food should be avoided.

वसन्ते पथ्यानि ॥ What should be followed in Vasanta rtu?

There are lot of foods, activities and remedies that can keep one healthy and energetic despite disequilibrium of bodily elements in Vasanta rtu.

आहारः॥ Diet

• One must take food that is light to digest and is less fatty (low calorie).
• Old grains like Barley, wheat should be consumed.
• Honey serves many purposes and acts as a superfood if consumed wisely in this season.
• The meat of the animals from Jangala deshas (dry deserted regions) can be consumed after grilling it.
• Certain fermented drinks like asavas & arishtas prepared from various herbs, alcoholic preparation of black raisins (mardvika) and honey (madhava) can be consumed for their medicinal benefit.
• Water infused with dry ginger, honey, Jalada (Cyperus rotundus) is beneficial to keep check of Kapha and kindle the digestive fire.
• The food that is predominantly bitter/pungent in taste, Ushna veerya (hot in potency), drying in nature is best suited in this season. However there should be a balance in making food choices and overindulgence in any type of food is not recommended.

विहारः॥ Lifestyle and activities

• Vyayama (व्यायामम्): Exercise is must in this season. One can keep check of kapha levels with right amount of exercise and enjoy the healthy life.
• Udwartana (उद्वर्तनम्): It means scrubbing body with dry fragrant powders of herbs. The very act of rubbing the powders or scrubbing is said to reduce the kapha dosha. Hence this activity which is also included in dinacharya (Daily routine) if intentionally practiced in this season can provide lot of health benefits.
• Aghata (आघातः): Aghata means injury but in this context it refers to body massage by foot or the kneading type of body massage or deep tissue massage. It is beneficial to practice or get this massage done in Vasanta rutu. These activities Vyayama, Udwartana and aghata are said to lower the aggravated kapha from body.
• Perfuming : After all above procedure one is advised to take a bath with warm water and then apply fragrances of saffron, aguru and sandalwood as a part of Vasanta rutu regime.
• One should use warm water for all the cleaning purposes.
• Kawala (कवलम्): Refers to gargling. Gargling with medicated water, decoctions or medicated oils is referred to as Kawala. It is a therapeutic procedure for many oral diseases in Ayurveda. However one is advised to practice it as a daily regime in Vasanta rtu to control Kapha.
• Dhumapana (धूमपानम्): Refers to medicated smoking. Although a therapeutic procedure for various oral diseases in Ayurveda, it is advised to be included in regime of Vasanta rutu due to its kapha controlling activity. Smoking medicated vartis (वर्तिः । herbal cigars) in an appropriate way (to be learned from a vaidya) helps control kapha and vata as well.
• Anjana (अञ्जनम्) : Refers to medicated collyrium. It also helps to keep check of Kapha especially in eyes and head region.
• One should enjoy the youthfulness of women and of gardens in the afternoon period. A pleasant company of desirable woman in the place like garden where blooms and blossoms of flowers along with their fragrance create romantic weather is said to be helpful.

पंचकर्माणि॥ Panchakarmas done in Vasanta Rtu

Vasanta is the Shodhana Rtu which means specific panchakarma must be done in this season in order to bring about balance of doshas in body and achieve good health for entire year. Since Kapha dosha is aggravated in this season it is advised to be removed out of body through the procedure of Vamana (Therapeutic emesis).

हरेद्वसन्ते श्लेष्माणं पित्तं शरदि निर्हरेत् | वर्षासु शमयेद्वायुं प्राग्विकारसमुच्छ्रयात् ||३८|| Sus. Su. 6.38
तीक्ष्णैर्वमननस्याद्यै....र्जित्वा श्लेष्माणमुल्बणम्||१९| Asht. Hrud. 3.19

The specific Panchakarmas advised in Vasanta are,

• Vamana (वमनम्): Therapeutic emesis
• Nasya (नस्यम्): Nasal instillation of medicated oil/decoctions/juices/powders.

Other procedures under panchakarma advised in regime are,

• Dhumapana (धूमपानम्) - Medicated smoking
• Kawala (कवलम्) - Medicated gargling
• Anjana (अञ्जनम्) - Collyrium

Specifications related to Vasanta rtu described in Samhitas (in any)

Ruturaj - Vasant Rtu or Spring Season is also known as ‘Rturaj’ or ‘King of all the Seasons’.

वसन्त्यस्मिन् सुखम् ।

During this time, there is neither cold nor heat and the climatic conditions are very pleasant. There is blossom and blooming of Flowers.

New year: Vasanta is considered as the beginning of the year in most of the cultures in Bharata. Thus a new year is celebrated on the days of Chaitra masa of Vasanta e.g. Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the Hindu New Year on the ‘Pratipada’ (1st day) of the month of Chaitra in Maharashtra. Ugadi begins from the first day of the ‘Chaitra’ month and marks the beginning of the New Year in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Festivals that appear in Vasanta Rtu and guide on useful regime

Some of the important Hindu festivals are celebrated during the time of Vasant Ritu.

Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami is an auspicious Hindu festival that marks the onset of the spring season or Vasant Ritu. This day also commemorates the day of birth of Devi Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom. Vasant Panchami is also known as ‘Shree Panchami’ and is observed on the ‘Shukla Paksha Panchami’ (5th day during the waxing phase of moon). According to one belief, Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. As per another Basant Panchami story, God Rama ate half tasted grapes of Mata Shabari on Basant Panchami. The festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated with great zeal and fervor in different parts of the country. The day of Basant Panchami is considered as the beginning of life. This day is the day of arrival of happiness. The season of spring is the season of rebirth and renewal. In this season, fields of yellow mustard charm everyone’s heart. Therefore, it is also considered auspicious by many to wear yellow on Basant Panchami.

Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the Hindu New Year on the ‘Pratipada’ (1st day) of the month of Chaitra. It also marks the beginning of the auspicious 9-day long ‘Chaitra Navratri’ festivities. Gudi Padwa is celebrated with great pomp and show in the Indian state of Maharashtra and the adjoining regions.

The parts of the gudi that is installed on the day of Gudhi padwa symbolize the substances and flavours one has to add to his diet in upcoming season of the year. e.g. Neem leaves, sugar candies, The prasadam on this day also consists of Neem leaves, coriander seeds and jaggery or sugar. Neem (Azadirecta indica) is the medicinal herb well known to every Indian and widely grown across the country. The therapeutic activity of this herb lies in its bitter taste and dryness causing property. Both these properties make it opposite to Kapha dosha in Body. Therefore it is best suited herb to reduce naturally aggravated Kapha in Vasanta Rtu. Also it is widely available and thus included in the prasada form on the day of Gudhi padwa. Corriander seeds, Sugar help to reduce the excess drying and elimination of Kapha through body wastes smoothly.

Ugadi

The festival of Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The celebrations of Ugadi or Yugadi begins from the first day of the ‘Chaitra’ month, which is also first month of the traditional Hindu calendar. This day is celebrated with different traditions and rituals all across India.

The name is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Yug’ and ‘Adi’,meaning ‘age’ and ‘starting’ respectively. Therefore, the word denotes the beginning of a new age. As with any other Hindu festival, there are several legends associated with the festival of Ugadi. But one of the most popular is that of Lord Brahma,who is said to have created the universe on this auspicious day, in the month of Chaitra. The occasion is also known as ChaitraSuddhaPadhyami.Since Ugadi also overlaps with the onset of spring and the harvest season, this day is believedto be highly auspicious forstarting new ventures.

Another inseparable ritual that has been followed for many years or maybe centuries is the preparation of a dish called Ugadi Pachhadi (Telegu). Also known as Bevu Bella in Kannada, the dish is a unique mixture of six different tastes, representing different experiences in life, which every individual should learn to respect and accept and move ahead unrelentingly. People eat neem and jaggery together welcoming a life full of beautifully heart warming events in the coming years. And the practice is called Bevu Bella.

Tastes Of Ugadi Pachadi

Many delicacies are prepared during this festival and UgadiPacchadi, is the most popular among them. This dish is a fusion of various tastes. The six tastes of UgadiPachhadi are sweet, sour, salty bitter, pungent and spicy and the basic ingredients are neem, jaggery, mango, tamarind, chilli and salt. These ingredients reflect the six aspects or emotions of life.

Symbolic Six Tastes of a Dish

The significance of this special dish UgadiPachhadi is that it symbolizes the six flavours of Ugadipachadi that reflects the various emotions of life as follows.

• Neem- This ingredient has a bitter taste and hence it symbolizes the bitterness of life.
• Jaggery- This imparts a sweet taste to the dish and symbolizes happiness of life.
• Tamarind- It has a sour taste and it reflects the unpleasant, disgusting phase of life.
• Mango- The tangy taste of the raw mango symbolizes the unexpected and the surprises of life.
• Salt- The salty taste signifies the fear, the unknown.
• Black pepper/Chilli- The red, hot chilli signifies the anger and outbursts in life.

Holi

Holi is the colourful festival of Hindus. It is one of the ancient festivals that celebrate the spirit of brotherhood. Holi is rightly referred as the ‘Spring Festival’ and people of all caste, creed or religious discriminations celebrate this festival of colors. It is undoubtedly one of the enjoyable and boisterous festivals of Hindus.

Holika dahana

Then on the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. Effigy of Holika, the devil minded sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap is placed in the wood and burnt. For, Holika tried to kill Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of a true devotee.

Children also hurl abuses at Holika and pray pranks, as if they still try to chase away Dhundhi who once troubled little ones in the Kingdom of Prithu. Some people also take embers from the fire to their homes to rekindle their own domestic fires.

Play of Colors

Next day, is of course the main day of Holi celebrations. The day is called Dhuleti and it is on this day that the actual play of colours take place. There is no tradition of holding puja and is meant for pure enjoyment.

Ranga Panchami: Ranga Panchami usually falls after five days of Holi festivity in rest of the India

The tradition of playing colours is particularly rampant in north India and even in that region, there can be no comparison to the Holi of Mathura and Vrindavan. In Maharashtra and Gujarat too Holi is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and fun.

Bihu

Bihu is the most significant festival of Assam and is celebrated with full dedication by Assamese in all corners of the world. This festival is characterised by its unique traditions and rituals.Magh Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam and it marks the end of the harvesting season in the region. Magh Bihu is observed on the first day of Magh month as per Bengali Panjika. Magh Bihu is the Assam celebration of Sankranti and the celebrations last for a week. The festival of Magh Bihu is dedicated to Agni, the Lord of Fire. However in the rest of India the festival of Sankranti is dedicated to Surya, the Sun Lord. Magh Bihu is synonym of feasts and bonfires which begin one day before of Magh Bihu. The day preceding Magh Bihu is known as Uruka which is the last day of Poush month as per Assamese calendar. On Uruka day people erect makeshift huts, known as Meji, from bamboo, leaves and thatch. The food for feasting is prepared inside Meji and a community feast is held on the Uruka night. The Meji is burned the next morning and the ashes are scattered on the farmlands to increase fertility. Magh Bihu is also known as Bhogali Bihu and Maghar Domahi.

Vaisakhi

It is an ancient harvest festival celebrated in the Punjab region by all Punjabis regardless of their religion. For people of Punjab, especially the Sikhs, Vaisakhi is a very significant day. Vaisakhi is also celebrated as Sikh New Year based on Hindu Solar calendar. For the Sikh community, Vaisakhi is not only a harvest festival but also a religious festival. Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi as the day of the formation of the Khalsa (the pure one). On Vaisakhi day, in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Sikh Guru, established the Khalsa. He eliminated the difference between higher and lower caste communities and declared that all human beings are equal. Later the Guru tradition in Sikhism was put to an end and Guru Granth Sahib was declared as eternal guide and Holy Book of Sikhism. Vaisakhi is also spelled as Visakhi, Vaishakhi and Baisakhi.

Mesha Sankranti / Pohela Boishakh

Mesha Sankranti is celebrated as Naba Barsha (নববর্ষ), Noboborsho or Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal. Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali Calendar. Hence Pohela Boishakh is also known as Bengali New Year. Bengali New Year is celebrated in West Bengal and among Bengali communities in Assam and Tripura and in Bangladesh.

Hanuman Jayanti

Rama Navami - On Rama Navami day Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Rama. On this day Lord Rama was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya

Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman and is observed on the ‘Purnima’ or the full moon of the Hindu month of ‘Chaitra’. Lord Hanuman is a dedicated devotee of Lord Rama and is also known as ‘Anjaneya’ or ‘Bajrang Bali’. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great devotion and love by the Hindus in all regions of India.

Buddha Purnima: Buddha Purnima also known as Buddha Jayanti is the most revered festivals of the Buddhist sect. This day honours the three significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha, His birth, His enlightenment and Nirvana. Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) during the ‘Vaisakh’ month of the traditional Hindu calendar. On this day devout Buddhists worship Lord Buddha and spread his teachings to all.

Akshaya Tritiya - Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is one of the most auspicious days. This day is ruled by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity.