Ritu (Indian season)
Ritu (Sanskrit: ऋतु) defines "season" in different calendars around the South Asian countries, and there are six ritus (also transliterated rutu) or seasons. The word is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Ṛtú, a fixed or appointed time, especially the proper time for sacrifice (yajna) or ritual in Vedic religion; this in turn comes from the word Ṛta (ऋत), as used in Vedic Sanskrit literally means the "order or course of things". This word is used in nearly all Indian languages.
Indian calendars
India observes six ecological seasons.[1][2] 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 Vaishakha | ~ March to May | Temperature around 20-30 degrees; vernal equinox occurs in the middle of this season. | Vasant panchami, Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, Holi, Rama Navami, Vishu/Kongali Bihu/Baisakhi/Tamil Puthandu, Hanuman Jayanti |
| 2 | Grishma ग्रीष्म |
Summer | Jyeshta and Aashaadha | ~ May to July | Very hot, temperatures up to 45-50 degrees Celsius; ends with the summer solstice. | Vat Pournima, Rath Yatra, Guru Purnima |
| 3 | Varsha वर्षा |
Monsoon | Shraavana (Sawan) and Bhadrapada (Bhado) | ~ July to September | 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, |
Autumn | Ashwin (Kwar) and Kartika | ~ September to November | Mild temperatures; 19 to 22 degrees Celsius; Autumnal equinox occurs in the middle of this season. | Navaratri, Vijayadashami, Sharad Purnima, Bihu |
| 5 | Hemanta
हेमन्त |
Fall winter | Margashirsha (Agrahayana, Agahan) and Pausha (Poos) | ~ November to January | Very pleasant temperatures; generally, 20-25 degrees Celsius; ends with the winter solstice. | (mid-Winter celebration), Bihu, Deepavali, Kartik Poornima |
| 6 | Shishira शिशिर |
Winter | Magha and Phalguna (Phagun) | ~ January to March | 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 |
Bengali calendar
The Bengali Calendar is similar but differs in start and end time. It has the following seasons or ritu:
| Bengali season | Start | End | Bengali Months | Mapping to English Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grishmo | Mid-April | Mid-June | Boishakh, Joishtho | Summer |
| Borsha | Mid-June | Mid-August | Asharh, Srabon | Monsoon |
| Shorot | Mid-August | Mid-October | Bhadro, Ashwin | Autumn |
| Hemonto | mid-October | mid-December | Kartik, Ogrohayon | Late Autumn |
| Sit | mid-December | mid-February | Poush, Magh | Winter |
| Bosonto | mid-February | mid-April | Falgun, Choitro | Spring |
Tamil calendar
The Tamil calendar follows a similar pattern of six seasons.
| Tamil season | Gregorian Months | Tamil Months |
|---|---|---|
| IlaVenil (Summer) | April 15 to June 14 | Chithirai and Vaikasi |
| MuthuVenil (Spring) | June 15 to August 14 | Aani and Aadi |
| Kaar (Monsoon) | August 15 to October 14 | Avani and Purattasi |
| Kulir (Autumn) | October 15 to December 14 | Aipasi and Karthikai |
| MunPani (Winter) | December 15 to February 14 | Margazhi and Thai |
| PinPani (Prevernal) | February 15 to April 15 | Maasi and Panguni |
In culture
The seasons are described in literature such as the Sanskrit poem Ṛtusaṃhāra written by the legendary Sanskrit poet 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