Ritu (Indian season)
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For other uses see Ritu (disambiguation).
Ritu (Sanskrit: ऋतु) means "season" in the Hindu calendar, and there are six ritus (also transliterated rutu) or Indian seasons. The word is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Rtu, a fixed or appointed time, especially the proper time for sacrifice (yajna) or ritual in Vedic Religion; this in turn comes from the word Rta (ऋत), as used in Vedic Sanskrit literally means the "order or course of things".
Seasonal table[1][2]
India observes all 6 ecological seasons. South India experiences the seasons on a different schedule than the one depicted here.
| No. | Ritu | Season | Hindu lunar months | Gregorian month | Characteristics | Seasonal festivals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vasanta वसन्त |
Spring | Chaitra and Baisakh | ~ February 18 to April 20 | Temperature around 20-30 degrees; vernal equinox occurs in the middle of this season. | Vasant panchami, Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, Holi, Rama Navami, Vishu/RongaliBihu/Baisakhi/Tamil Puthandu, Hanuman Jayanti |
| 2 | Grishma ग्रीष्म |
Summer | Jyeshta and Aashaadha | ~ April 21 to June 21 | Very hot, temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius; ends with the summer solstice. | Vat Pournima, Rath Yatra, Guru Purnima |
| 3 | Varsha वर्षा |
Monsoon | Shraavana (Sawan) and Bhadrapada (Bhado) | ~ June 22 to August 23 | Very hot, very humid and heavy monsoon rains; begins with the summer solstice. | Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmaashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, Gurujonar Tithi |
| 4 | Sharad
शरद्, पतझड़ |
Autumn | Ashwin (Kwar) and Kartika | ~ August 23 to October 23 | Mild temperatures; 19 to 22 degrees Celsius; Autumnal equinox occurs in the middle of this season. | Navaratri, Vijayadashami, Sharad Purnima, Bihu |
| 5 | Hemant
हेमन्त |
Fall winter | Margashirsha (Agrahayana, Agahan) and Pausha (Poos) | ~ October 23 to December 21 | Very pleasant temperatures; generally, 20-25 degrees Celsius; ends with the winter solstice. | (mid-Winter celebration), Bihu, Deepavali, Kartik Poornima |
| 6 | Shishir शिशिर |
Winter | Magh and Phalguna (Phagun) | ~ December 21 to February 18 | Moderately cold, but pleasant during occasional sunshine; temperatures may decrease below 10 degrees Celsius.This season is typical to tropical and subtropical regions, because trees actually shed their leaves in this season in tropical areas; starts with the winter solstice. | Shivaratri, Shigmo, Pongal, Sankranthi |
The seasons are described in literature such as the Sanskrit poem Ṛtusaṃhāra written by Kālidāsa.
See also
- Vedic timekeeping
References
Further reading
- Feller, Danielle. The Seasons in Mahākāvya Literature, Eastern Book Linkers, Delhi, 1995, ISBN 8186339248
- Raghavan, V. Ṛtu in Sanskrit literature, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Delhi, 1972
- Renou, Louis. Sanskrit et culture, Payot, 1950
- Selby, Martha Ann (translator). The Circle of Six Seasons, Penguin, New Delhi, 2003, ISBN 0-14-100772-9
External links
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