Ritu (season)

Ritu () means "season" in different ancient Indian calendars used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are six ritus (also transliterated ritu) or seasons. Seasons are different times of the year and there are 12 months in the year. Every month has its own special season. 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.

Nepalese and Indian calendars Nepal and India observes six ecological seasons. No.RituSeasonHindu lunar monthsGregorian monthCharacteristicsSeasonal festivals1Vasanta वसन्त SpringChaitra and Vaishakha March & April Temperature around 20-30 degrees celsius; vernal equinox occurs in the middle of this season. First spring harvest along with harvest festivals.Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Holi, Rama Navami, Puthandu, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Baisakhi, Hanuman Jayanti2Grīṣma ग्रीष्म Summer/Hot SeasonJyeshtha and Ashadha~ May & JuneVery hot, temperatures up to 45-50 degrees celsius; summer solstice occurs. This is one of the two typical Indian/ Hindu Marriage Seasons. Vat Purnima, Ratha Yatra, Guru Purnima3Varṣā वर्षा Monsoon/Rainy SeasonShravana and Bhadrapada ~ July & AugustVery hot, very humid and heavy monsoon rains; begins with the lunar month after the summer solstice.Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Nuakhai, Onam, Gurujonar Tithi, Mahalaya Amavasya4Sharada शरत्AutumnAshvina or Ashvayuja and Kartika ~ Late- September, October & mid-NovemberMild temperatures; 19-25 degrees celsius; autumnal equinox occurs in the middle of this season. First autumn harvest occurs along with harvest festivals. Some trees in the Himalayas or upper elevations change colors much like in northern latitudes across the world.Navaratri, Vijayadashami, Sharad Purnima, Kati Bihu, Deepavali, Dhanatrayodashi, Kartik Purnima5Hemanta हेमन्तPre-Winter/Cool SeasonMargashirsha (Agrahayana) and Pausha ~ Late November & December Very pleasant temperatures; generally, 19-25 degrees celsius; ends with the winter solstice. Some trees in the Himalayas and other hills completely shed their leaves much like in northern latitudes across the world. (mid-winter celebration) Margashira Mahotsavam. Music Season with a number of Indian Carnatic classical music and dance concerts. Thai Pongal, Sankranti are celebrated during the month of Pausha.6Shishira शिशिरWinter/Cold SeasonMagha and Phalguna~ January & February 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, Magh Bihu Shigmo

East Indian calendars East Indian calendars (Bengali, Assamese, Odia and Mithila) start their new year on Mesh Sankranti. The season names corresponds to the Sanskrit Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharada, Hemanta, Shishira order. The Bengali Calendar is similar to the Sanskrit calendar above, but differs in start and end times which moves certain dates/days around (i.e., Vasant Panchami occurs here in Vasant ritu but in the calendar above, it occurs in Shishir as that is the Magha Shukla Panchami). The East Indian Calendar has the following seasons or ritus:

Assamese Calendar Seasons in the Assamese Calendar: Assamese season Start End Assamese months English Grishmo (গ্রীষ্মকাল) Mid-April Mid-June Bohag, Jeth Summer Borkha (বর্ষাকাল) Mid-June Mid-August Ahaar, Xaaun Monsoon Xorot (শৰৎকাল) Mid-August Mid-October Bhado, Ahin Early Autumn Hemanta (হেমন্তকাল) Mid-October Mid-December Kati, Aghun Late Autumn Heat (শীতকাল) Mid-December Mid-February Pooh, Magh Winter Boxonto (বসন্তকাল) Mid-February Mid-April Phagun, Sot Spring

Bengali Calendar Seasons in the Bengali Calendar: Bangla Ritu Bengali Months English Equivalent Gregorian Monthsগ্রীষ্ম (Grishsho)বৈশাখ-জ্যৈষ্ঠ (Boishakh-Joishtho)SummerMid April - Mid Juneবর্ষা (Borsha)আষাঢ়-শ্রাবণ (Aasharh-Shrabon)MonsoonMid June - Mid Augustশরৎ (Shorot)ভাদ্র-আশ্বিন (Bhadro-Aashshin)AutumnMid August - Mid Octoberহেমন্ত (Hemonto)কার্তিক-অগ্রহায়ণ (Kartick-Ogrohayon)Early WinterMid October - Mid December শীত (Śīta)পৌষ-মাঘ (Poush-Maagh)WinterMid December - Mid February বসন্ত (Bosonto)ফাল্গুন-চৈত্র (Falgun-Choitro)Spring Mid February - Mid April

Maithili Calendar Seasons in the Maithili Calendar:

Maithili Ritu English Equivalent Maithili Months Gregorian Months ग्रीष्म (Grishma) Summer Baisakha-Jyeshtha Mid-April to mid-June वर्षा (Barkha) Monsoon Ashadha, Shravana Mid-June to mid-August शरद (Sharad) Autumn Bhādrapada, Āshvina Mid-August to mid-October हेमन्त Hemanta Late-Autumn Kārtika, Mārgashīrsha/Agrahayana Mid-October to mid-December शिशिर (Shishir) Winter Pausha, Magh Mid-December to mid-February वसन्त (Basanta) Spring Phalgun, Chaitra Mid-February to mid-April

Odia Calendar Seasons in the Odia calendar:

Odia Ritu Season Odia months Gregorian ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମGrisma Summer Baiśākha–Jyeṣṭha April–June ବର୍ଷାBarsā Monsoon Āṣāṛha–Śrābaṇa June–August ଶରତSarata Autumn Bhādraba–Āświna August–October ହେମନ୍ତHemanta Pre-Winter Kārttika–Mārgaśira October–December ଶୀତSita Winter Pauṣa–Māgha December–February ବସନ୍ତBasanta Spring Phālguna–Chaitra February–April

South Indian calendars Malayalam Kannada Telugu Calendar The Malayalam calendar or Kollam Era, a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar used in Kerala, and in Karnataka they follows a pattern of six seasons slightly different from North Indian Calendars. RituSeasonMalayalam solar monthsSanskrit solar monthsGregorian monthsSeasonal festivals1Vasantam വസന്തം వసంతం ವಸಂತ ಋತುSpringMakaram (second half)-Kumbham-Meenam (first half)Makara (second half)-Kumbha-Mīna (first half)February & MarchVasantha Panchami, Holi2Grishmam ഗ്രീഷ്മം గ్రీష్మం ಗ್ರೀಷ್ಮಋತುSummerMeenam (second half)-Medam-Idavam (first half)Mīna (second half)-Meṣa-Vṛṣabha (first half)April & MayVishu3Varsham വർഷം వర్షాకాలం ವರ್ಷ ಋತುMonsoon or RainIdavam (second half)-Mithunam-Karkatakam (first half)Vṛṣabha (second half)-Mithuna-Karkaṭaka (first half)June & JulyKarkataka Vavu (marks the beginning of Sharad season)4Sarath ശരത്ത് శరదృతువు ಶರದ್ಋತುEarly AutumnKarkitakam (second half)-Chingam-Kanni (first half)Karkaṭaka (second half)-Siṃha-Kanyā (first half)August & SeptemberRakshabandhanam, Krishna Janmashtami (Sri Krishna Jayanti), Onam5Hemantham ഹേമന്തം హేమంతం ಹೇಮಂತ ಋತುLate AutumnKanni (second half)-Thulam-Vrischikam (first half)Kanyā (second half)-Tulā-Vṛścikam (first half)October & November6Sisiram ശിശിരം శిశిరం ಶಿಶಿರ ಋತುWinterVrischikam (second half)-Dhanu-Makaram (first half)Vṛścikam (second half)-Dhanu-Makara (first half)December & January

Tamil calendar The Tamil Calendar follows a similar pattern of six seasons as described in the Hindu calendar. Tamil season NamesEnglish MeaningGregorian MonthsTamil MonthsIlavenil (Mild Summer) இளவேனிற்காலம்Tender heat / warmth April 15 to June 14Chittirai and VaikāsiMuthuvenil (Hot Summer) முதுவேனிற்காலம்Matured heat / warmthJune 15 to August 14Āni and ĀdiKar (Monsoon) கார்காலம் Dark CloudsAugust 15 to October 14Āvaṇi and PuraṭṭāsiKutir (Autumn) கூதிர் காலம்Cold / ChillOctober 15 to December 14Aippasi and KārtikaiMunpani (Pre-winter) முன்பனிக் காலம் Early (Frontal) Dew / MistDecember 15 to February 14Mārgaḻi and TaiPinpani (Prevernal / Early Spring) பின்பனிக் காலம் Late (Rear) Dew / MistFebruary 15 to April 14Māsi and Panguni

In culture The seasons are described in literature such as the Sanskrit poem Ṛtusaṃhāra written by the legendary Sanskrit poet Kālidāsa.

Names of the ritu are commonly used for persons: typically, Vasant, Sharad, Hemant, Shishir and Varsh are "male" names; "female" names include Vasanti, Sharada, Hemanti, Grishma and Varsha.

Similar naming conventions are also used in Tamil: For female Ilavenil. For male Kar(Vannan).

See also Astronomical basis of the Hindu Calendar Vedic timekeeping

References

Ritu (season)

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