Changes

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

== Months of Hemanta rtu as per calendar ==

== हेमन्तमासाः ॥ Months of Hemanta rtu as per calendar ==

Margashirsha and Pausha are the 2 months in the lunar calendar which fall under Hemanta rtu. While, as per Gregorian calendar Hemanta is grossly a a period from Mid November to Mid JAnuary

Margashirsha and Pausha are the 2 months in the lunar calendar which fall under Hemanta rtu. While, as per Gregorian calendar Hemanta is grossly a a period from Mid November to Mid JAnuary

# Pausha or Sahasya - Med December to Mid January

# Pausha or Sahasya - Med December to Mid January

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

== अव्यापन्नहेमन्तऋतुलक्षणानि॥ What is Hemanta rtu? How is it characterized? ==

This ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and philosophy direct the need for correcting lifestyle patterns as per the environmental changes. Hemanta Rtu marks the beginning of Winters in Bharata. After the onset of Hemanta  rtu,  the  surrounding  environment appears  smoky  with  a  covering  of  thick  mist and fully surrounded by  snow (especially in the northen part of Bharata), the Sun is also covered  likewise, cold breeze from north creates horripilations, trees like Lodhra (Symplococos racemosa), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Punnaga (Calophyllum inophyllum), Lavali (Phyllanthus acidus) become  splendid with  flowers. Animals  like  elephants, goats, buffaloes, horses, crow and pigs become more energetic and vigorated. Resources of water (natural and artificial) are covered with thick layers of snow and mist with the inert fish and birds. Water of wells is warm.  

This ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and philosophy direct the need for correcting lifestyle patterns as per the environmental changes. Hemanta Rtu marks the beginning of Winters in Bharata. After the onset of Hemanta  rtu,  the  surrounding  environment appears  smoky  with  a  covering  of  thick  mist and fully surrounded by  snow (especially in the northen part of Bharata), the Sun is also covered  likewise, cold breeze from north creates horripilations, trees like Lodhra (Symplococos racemosa), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Punnaga (Calophyllum inophyllum), Lavali (Phyllanthus acidus) become  splendid with  flowers. Animals  like  elephants, goats, buffaloes, horses, crow and pigs become more energetic and vigorated. Resources of water (natural and artificial) are covered with thick layers of snow and mist with the inert fish and birds. Water of wells is warm.  

== Hemanta- The end of Dakshinayana (Southern solstice) ==

== दक्षिणायनस्य अन्तिमऋतुहेमन्तः॥ Hemanta- The end of Dakshinayana (Southern solstice) ==

Hemanta Rtu marks the end of Southern solstice called as Dakshinayana in Vedic astrology. Varsha (Pravrt), Sharada and Hementa are the 3 rtus that appear in sequence in Dakshinayana period. In all these rtus, heat in the environment reduces and coldness increases in a stepwise gradual manner. The sun is situated in southwards position, and due to its position with respect to earth, and also due to clouds, wind and rain, the heat in the environment slackens. The power of the moon is predominant. All thee lead to the abundance and predominance of panchamahabhutas in the surroundings that are non-dry and generate amla (sour), lavana (salty), and madhura (sweet) rasa respectively and gradual increase of body strength in human beings during these three seasons. Thus in Hemanta, MAdhura (sweet) rasa is abundant in the environment and the physical strength or Balam is the highest. Acharya Charaka has described these changes in a following way,<blockquote>

Hemanta Rtu marks the end of Southern solstice called as Dakshinayana in Vedic astrology. Varsha (Pravrt), Sharada and Hementa are the 3 rtus that appear in sequence in Dakshinayana period. In all these rtus, heat in the environment reduces and coldness increases in a stepwise gradual manner. The sun is situated in southwards position, and due to its position with respect to earth, and also due to clouds, wind and rain, the heat in the environment slackens. The power of the moon is predominant. All thee lead to the abundance and predominance of panchamahabhutas in the surroundings that are non-dry and generate amla (sour), lavana (salty), and madhura (sweet) rasa respectively and gradual increase of body strength in human beings during these three seasons. Thus in Hemanta, MAdhura (sweet) rasa is abundant in the environment and the physical strength or Balam is the highest. Acharya Charaka has described these changes in a following way,<blockquote>

वर्षाशरद्धेमन्तेषु तु दक्षिणाभिमुखेऽर्के कालमार्गमेघवातवर्षाभिहतप्रतापे, शशिनि चाव्याहतबले, माहेन्द्रसलिलप्रशान्तसन्तापे जगति, अरूक्षा रसाः प्रवर्धन्तेऽम्ललवणमधुरा यथाक्रमं तत्र बलमुपचीयते नृणामिति||७||</blockquote>Therefore, Ayurveda believes that, Hemanta rtu which comes at the end of Visarga kala is one of the 6 seasons that gives maximum physical strength one can have throughout the year. Hemanta is the ideal period to build strength, stamina and immunity in our bodies.

वर्षाशरद्धेमन्तेषु तु दक्षिणाभिमुखेऽर्के कालमार्गमेघवातवर्षाभिहतप्रतापे, शशिनि चाव्याहतबले, माहेन्द्रसलिलप्रशान्तसन्तापे जगति, अरूक्षा रसाः प्रवर्धन्तेऽम्ललवणमधुरा यथाक्रमं तत्र बलमुपचीयते नृणामिति||७||</blockquote>Therefore, Ayurveda believes that, Hemanta rtu which comes at the end of Visarga kala is one of the 6 seasons that gives maximum physical strength one can have throughout the year. Hemanta is the ideal period to build strength, stamina and immunity in our bodies.

|Highest strength

|Highest strength

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== Hemanta specific Diet and lifestyle regimen ==

 

== हेमन्तऋतुचर्याविधानम् ॥ Hemanta specific Diet and lifestyle regimen ==

The diet and lifestyle elements that will help balance the disturbances in bioenergies or body constituents that happen due to Hementa rtu are discussed under Hemanta rutucharya regimen. Agni or the digestive power is strong in this season and thus taking advantage of it less restrictions on diet are put and rather consumption of food that is usually preferred by the food lovers is accepted and recommended. Therefore Hemanta could actually be the most awaited season of the year for many such reasons, food being the main element!  

The diet and lifestyle elements that will help balance the disturbances in bioenergies or body constituents that happen due to Hementa rtu are discussed under Hemanta rutucharya regimen. Agni or the digestive power is strong in this season and thus taking advantage of it less restrictions on diet are put and rather consumption of food that is usually preferred by the food lovers is accepted and recommended. Therefore Hemanta could actually be the most awaited season of the year for many such reasons, food being the main element!  

The lifestyle in Hemanta should be such that it will help to maintain the body temperature to the optimum level. Activities that increase warmth and protect from cold are encouraged.

The lifestyle in Hemanta should be such that it will help to maintain the body temperature to the optimum level. Activities that increase warmth and protect from cold are encouraged.

* Since the nights are longer and the days are shorter (due to sou

* Since the nights are longer and the days are shorter (due to southern solstice) sleeping for a long time in the morning due to late sunrise is not recommended. Instead it is advisable to wake up early and start the daily activities.

* thern solstice) sleeping for a long time in the morning due to late sunrise is not recommended. Instead it is advisable to wake up early and start the daily activities.  

* [[Abhyanga (अभ्यङ्गम् )|Abhyangam]]: Although Abhyanga a part of [[Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)|dinacharya]] or daily routine, it is must in Hemanta rtu. Massage with luke warm oils help to keep check on vata dosha in body, reduce skin dryness by locking the moisture, improve peripheral blood circulation and keep skin soft, hydrated, smooth.  

* [[Abhyanga (अभ्यङ्गम् )|Abhyangam]]: Although Abhyanga a part of [[Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)|dinacharya]] or daily routine, it is must in Hemanta rtu. Massage with luke warm oils help to keep check on vata dosha in body, reduce skin dryness by locking the moisture, improve peripheral blood circulation and keep skin soft, hydrated, smooth.  

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

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

Deepawali is the most widely celebrated festival in India.

Deepawali festive rituals: A guide to the Hemanta Rtucharya

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

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

Therefore, the whole regimen advised for hemanta should also be followed in Hemanta ritu. In addition to that, one should specially stay in less windy and warm shelters (homes).

Therefore, the whole regimen advised for hemanta should also be followed in Hemanta ritu. In addition to that, one should specially stay in less windy and warm shelters (homes).

== Seasonal produce in Hemanta: Fruits and vegetables and how they are helpful[edit | edit source] ==

 

 

 

 

 

 

== Seasonal produce in Hemanta: Fruits and vegetables and how they are helpful ==

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Winter

|+Winter