Introduction

Grishma ritu, also known as the summer season, is the hottest period that falls from May through July. As per Ayurveda, Grishma ritu is one of the six ritus (seasons) and the last season of the Aadaan kaal– the time of the year when the sun is in the northward position of the earth. Grishma ritu falls between Vasant ritu (spring season) and Varsha ritu (rainy season).

Impact of Grishma ritu

Grishma ritu is marked by dry winds and hot penetrating sun rays that dry up the environment and take away the cooling properties of the earth.

Grishma ritu is also marked to immensely increase the pitta dosha- one of the three doshas governing our body as per Ayurveda and is associated with lack of energy, dehydration, exhaustion, dryness and lethargy. Hence, our body requires more liquids to maintain balance and overall wellbeing and protect our body from the ill effects of the powerful sun rays.

Per the Hindu calendar, Grishma ritu lasts for 2 months: Jyeshtha and Ashadha.

• Jyeshtha

Jyeshtha is a typical summer month, and per the lunar calendars, it is the third month of the year that begins on the new moon. It typically falls from May through June and has scorching hot days.

• Ashadha

Ashadha follows Jyeshtha and is the second month of the Grishma ritu and the fourth month of the year that begins on the new moon. Ashadha month falls from June through July. By the end of the Ashadha month, the weather tends to get humid and sweatier.

Lifestyle to follow in Grishma ritu

As per Ayurveda, ritucharya is crucial to stay healthy and active, and it involves making a few lifestyle modifications as the seasons change. The following lifestyle modifications will help upkeep your health and overall wellbeing.

• Avoid eating hot, spicy, greasy and heavy foods.
• Eat well-balanced and light food to stay active.
• Drink plenty of fluids such as water, juices and buttermilk.
• Use aromas and perfumes that are cooling in nature and give you a soothing effect.
• Apply cooling lepas (coatings of creams) such as sandal paste all over the body, and take a bath in cool water to release the excess heat from your skin.
• Stay indoors as much as possible, especially during the day.
• Wear light and thin clothes to keep your skin cool and breathing.

Conclusion

Grishma ritu is an important season preceded by the spring season and followed by the rainy season. Penetrating sun rays and scintillating heat have a drying effect on our bodies and the environment. It is imperative to make lifestyle modifications as the seasons change to stay healthy and active. Taking more fluids, cutting on spicy/greasy meals, staying indoors, using cooling aromas and applying lepas are a few of the important measures to sail through the two hot months of the Grishma ritu, easy and breezy.