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Ayurveda has put forward various guidelines and regimens including diet and lifestyle components to acclimatize to seasonal enforcement easily, without affecting body homeostasis. These guidelines and seasonal regimens are known as ‘Rtucharya’. Observance of such behavior, lifestyle and diet modifications is extremely important in order to prevent diseases developing due to seasonal variations and poor immunity. Thus, Rtucharya forms integral part of preventive healthcare described in Ayurveda. Main theme of this topic is to make people aware concerning the methods to live in accordance with the environment.  

Ayurveda has put forward various guidelines and regimens including diet and lifestyle components to acclimatize to seasonal enforcement easily. This helps individuals to maintain homeostasis of internal environment of body, despite fluctuating external climatic conditions. These guidelines and seasonal regimens are known as ‘Rtucharya’ (Samskrit: ऋतुचर्या). Observance of such behavior, lifestyle and dietary modifications is immensely useful in preventing diseases which might develop due to seasonal variations and individual's poor immunity. Naturally, Rtucharya forms integral part of preventive healthcare described in Ayurveda and is one of the exclusive subjects in this traditional system of medicine. Main theme of this topic is to make people aware concerning the methods to live in accordance with the environment.  

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Rtucharya has been described in almost all the authoritative Ayurvedic classics. Ayurveda believes that every change in the environment and season affects the internal environment of the human body. This leads to imbalance of Doshas which control all the mechanism in the union of body, mind & life energy. This imbalance further leads to development of diseases which occur as a result of inability of an individual to balance the changes occurring in the internal environment of body. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of seasonal variations in diseases development as well as the measures to correct this imbalance and achieve right balance of bodily elements. Under the topic of Rtucharya, Ayurveda acharyas have provided such measures in the form of dietary and lifestyle modifications, to maintain the equilibrium of internal environment of body even in the presence of fluctuating external environment and climatic conditions. These measures have been put forward after keen observation of seasonal characteristics and their effect on the state of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|Doshas]] and [[Dhatus (धातवः)|Dhatus]] in the [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]]. In the clinical settings, observance of such regime has been found extremely useful in the cases of individuals falling sick frequently because of seasonal variations due to poor immunity.

Rtucharya has been described in almost all the authoritative Ayurveda classics. Ayurveda believes that every change in the external environment and season affects the internal environment of the human body. This leads to imbalance of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|Doshas]] (दोषाः) which control entire mechanism of the union of body, mind & life energy known as Ayu (आयुः। life). This imbalance further leads to development of diseases. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of seasonal variations in diseases development as well as the measures to correct this imbalance and achieve right balance of bodily elements. Under the topic of Rtucharya, Ayurveda acharyas have provided such measures in the form of dietary and lifestyle modifications, to maintain the equilibrium of internal environment of body even in the presence of fluctuating external environment and climatic conditions. These measures have been put forward after keen observation of seasonal characteristics and their effect on the state of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|Doshas]] and [[Dhatus (धातवः)|Dhatus]] (धातवः) in the [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]] (पुरुषः। human being). In the clinical settings, observance of such regime has been found extremely useful especially in the cases where individuals who fall sick frequently because of seasonal variations owing to their poor immunity.

Practical utility of following Rtucharya  

== ऋतुसात्म्यस्य उपयोगित्वम् ॥ Practical utility of observing Rtucharya ==

तस्याशिताद्यादाहाराद्बलं वर्णश्च वर्धते| यस्यर्तुसात्म्यं विदितं चेष्टाहारव्यपाश्रयम्|| (Char. Samh. 5.3)<ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Tasyashiteeya_Adhyaya#Benefits_of_following_seasonal_regimen Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sootram 3])</ref>

It is the form in which the nature expresses itself in a sequence in particular and specific in present forms in short, the seasons.

Meaning: A person who knows the ''ritusatmya'', i.e., getting accustomed to suitable changes in diet and behavior according to seasons, and practices such habits accordingly, and whose diet consists of various types of food articles (with properties such as ''ashita'', ''pitta lidha'' , and ''khadita''), has his strength and luster enhanced, and he leads a healthy, long life.

Charya (चर्या।) means regimen{{Citation needed}}

Thus, Rtucharya (ऋतुचर्या) means the regimen to be adopted during the changing states of the nature or climate.  

The word Ritu means “to go.” {{Citation needed}}

== ऋतुविभागाः॥ Classification of season ==

 

The year according to Ayurveda is divided into two periods Ayana (अयनम्। solstice) depending on the direction of movement of sun. Each is formed of three Rtus (ऋतुः। season).  Thus, A year consists of six seasons <ref name=":0">Sushruta Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sootram 7])</ref> as listed below,

 

== Classification of season ==

The year according to ''Ayurveda'' is divided into two periods ''Ayana'' (solstice) depending on the direction of movement of sun. Each is formed of three ''Ritus'' (seasons).  Thus, A year consists of six seasons <ref name=":0">Sushruta Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sootram 7])</ref> as listed below,

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Classification of Seasons in a year

|+Classification of Seasons in a year

|-

|-

|1

|1

|Shishira

|Shishira (शिशिरः)

|Winter

|Winter

| rowspan="3" |''Uttarayana'' (northern solstice)=  

| rowspan="3" |Uttarayana (northern solstice)=  

| rowspan="3" |mid-January to mid-July

| rowspan="3" |mid-January to mid-July

| rowspan="3" |According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun falls perpendicularly at 30 degree meridian of the North Pole on June 21st every year, called as summer solstice. The northward journey of the Sun from Tropic of Capricorn to Tropic of Cancer happens.

| rowspan="3" |According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun falls perpendicularly at 30 degree meridian of the North Pole on June 21st every year, called as summer solstice. The northward journey of the Sun from Tropic of Capricorn to Tropic of Cancer happens.

|-

|-

|2

|2

|Vasanta

|Vasanta (वसंतः)

|Spring

|Spring

|-

|-

|3

|3

|Grishma

|Grishma (ग्रीष्मः)

|Summer

|Summer

|-

|-

|4

|4

|Varsha  

|Varsha (वर्षा)

|Monsoon

|Monsoon

| rowspan="3" |''Dakshinayana'' (southern solstice)

| rowspan="3" |Dakshinayana (southern solstice)

| rowspan="3" |mid-July to mid-January

| rowspan="3" |mid-July to mid-January

| rowspan="3" |According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of the earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun fall over 30 degree meridian of the South Pole perpendicularly on December 21st every year, is called as winter solstice. The southward movement of the Sun occurs from Tropic of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn.

| rowspan="3" |According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of the earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun fall over 30 degree meridian of the South Pole perpendicularly on December 21st every year, is called as winter solstice. The southward movement of the Sun occurs from Tropic of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn.

|-

|-

|5

|5

|Sharad

|Sharad (शरदः)

|Autumn

|Autumn

|-

|-

|6

|6

|Hemanta  

|Hemanta (हेमंतः)

|late autumn

|late autumn

|}

|}

As ''Ayurveda'' has its origin in India, the above seasonal changes are observed predominantly in Indian subcontinent.

As Ayurveda has its origin in India, the above seasonal changes are observed predominantly in Indian subcontinent.

 

Dakshinayana= when cool sets, and due to which anabolic activity dominates over the catabolic activity in the environment. the strength of person enhances during this period.<ref name=":0" />

=== उत्तरायणस्य तथा दक्षिणायनस्य परिणामाः॥ Effect of Uttarayana (northern solstice) and Dakshinayana (southern solstice)  ===

During Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्) period, warmness and dryness in weather increases. It has an overall debilitating effect on surrounding environment, of which human being is also a part. As a result, it brings about dryness in the body and reduces the Bala (बलम्। strength) of the individual. <ref name=":0" />

At the time of Dakshinayana (दक्षिणायनम्) period, when cool sets, and due to which anabolic activity dominates over the catabolic activity in the environment, the strength of person enhances.<ref name=":0" />

After keen observation of external climatic conditions in a particular season (Rtu) and their reflections in the Purusha, Ayurvedic scholars found a close association between external environments and Body's internal environment. It is believed and experienced that, for every change in external conditions, Doshas and other body elements like Agni, Dhatu get affected. change in their normal state creates temporary imbalances which leave body vulnerable for attack by various diseases. Thus, if one wishes to maintain health in spite of any change in external environment, one must consciously understand the changing weather and practice specific diet and lifestyle interventions proposed by Ayurveda in order to nullify the effects reflected in body.  

Ayurveda acharyas have proposed following diet and lifestyle guidelines for 6 Rtu (seasons) to correct the imbalances of Doshas, Agni, strength and internal environment of body created by changes in weather due to seasonal rotations.<ref>Thakkar J, Chaudhari S, Sarkar PK. Ritucharya: Answer to the lifestyle disorders. ''Ayu''. 2011;32(4):466–471. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.96117</ref>

== ऋतुचर्या विधानम्॥ Seasonal regimen: Diet and Lifestyle for Every season ==

After keen observation of external climatic conditions in a particular Rtu (ऋतुः। season) and their reflections in the Purusha (पुरुषः), Ayurveda scholars found a close association between external environments and Body's internal environment. It is believed and experienced that, for every change in external conditions, Doshas (दोषाः) and other body elements like Agni (अग्निः), Dhatus (धातवः) get affected. Change in their normal state creates temporary imbalances which leave body vulnerable for attack by various diseases. Thus, if one wishes to maintain health in spite of any change in external environment, one must consciously understand the changing weather and practice specific diet and lifestyle interventions proposed by Ayurveda in order to nullify the effects reflected in body.  

== Rtucharya: Diet and Lifestyle for Every season ==

Ayurveda acharyas have proposed following diet and lifestyle guidelines for 6 Rtu (ऋतुः। seasons) to correct the imbalances of Doshas, Agni, strength and internal environment of body created by changes in weather due to seasonal rotations.<ref>Thakkar J, Chaudhari S, Sarkar PK. Ritucharya: Answer to the lifestyle disorders. ''Ayu''. 2011;32(4):466–471. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.96117</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Seasonal Regimen  

|+Seasonal Regimen