The festivals of India are magnanimous in nature. Each festival is based on rituals and traditions which help us in leading a healthy life. The Indian festivals apart from having epic background, speak through various food delicacies, decorations and celebration moods. But did you know, they are based on the seasonal regimen? Ex: During Ugadi, we welcome the Hindu Dravidian New Year with jaggery and neem; This is the season which causes a vitiation or derangement in the kapha (bioenergy). The regimen and food relished during this festival are the answer for treating the vitiation.

During Ramanavami, we have the Vishnu temples grandly decorated and distributing various Panaka (fruit drinks) and Kosambriprasadams (preparations from soaked lentils). For children, it is their welcome drink, setting their mood for the summer time. The refreshing panakas supplement the energy balance that is depleted by the sun’s strong rays. Sankranthi, is the time where we chew on dryfruit -til laddus and Pongal. Avarekaipaarase is in full swing. It is the Hemantarutukaala, where the body would require good energy sources for maintaining good health, which is supplemented by the festive occasion.

Presently, we have just finished Shravana masa, and its boat of festivals, each having it’s own importance. With the present pandemic revising our life, we have become more aware, limiting our sources to essential, our choices have become wiser and celebrations have become quieter. But with a bang, we welcome Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, the god of knowledge and good fortune. Vinayaka/Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada masa. Though food preparations in our country change every few miles, we have adopted certain food delicacies reserved to that festival (and in turn that season).

And during Ganesha Chaturthi , it is Modaka! The steamed sweet is made with rice flour covering and the filling usually comprises a mixture of coconut, jaggery and saffron. In the name of Lord Ganesha, we also enjoy other delicacies like polis, vegetable salads and mouth slurping laddus. Every time I ponder how well knit each of our festivals are inclining to the season, harvest, health and well-being, I am left with awe and gratefulness to our highly knowledgeable ancestors. They framed our festivals to suit with the seasonal regimens. So, knowingly or unknowingly we plan our seasonal regimen through our festivals.

Varsha Rutucharya according to Ayurveda:

Before elaborating on the Varsha Rutucharya, let me brief up on the systemic understanding of the Ayurveda Rutucharya. To introduce, we have 6 seasons governing the 12 months of a year. They are Shishira, Vasanta, Greeshma, Varsha , Sharad and Hemanta. Shishira ,Vasanta and Greeshma form the Uttarayana (northern Solstice) also known as Adana Kala because as the Sun gets stronger during these seasons , the energy and strength of the people deplete accordingly. The three rutus forming the Dakshinayana (southern Solstice) or visarga kala are Varsha , Sharad and Hemanta. Here the moon gets stronger,in turn cooling the excess heat of the sun. This builds up the energy and vigour on a general basis. The table below will give the details regarding the season and month descriptions.

Considering basic fundamentals, the strength of a man is said to be maximum in the Hemanta and Shishirarutu. During Greeshma and Varsha it is weak, and moderate during the other two seasons. Having a look at the chart, we can understand that we are in the Varsha Rutu (rainy season).

Varsha Rutucharya ( Dietics and regimen for rainy season):

The rainy season comes in the category of Dakshinayana. During this season the sky is covered by clouds, forecasting rains. The ponds, rivers etc are filled with water. The atmosphere and environment influence resulting indepletion of energyand vitiation of the bio-energies especially vata(wind bio-energy). The digestion power starts to reduce from the preceding season itself i.e .Greeshma (summer season). It increases further, weakening the body and causing vitiation of other bio-energies. It is understood how easily infections are spread in a humid moist environment, and when that’s accompanied with a weak health condition, we become more susceptible to diseases. How can this be treated or avoided? By following the Dietary rules and regimen explained during this season.

Diet regimen:

1. Consume freshly prepared food. Consume foods having  Amla(sour) and Lavana(salty) taste.

2. Food should be unctuous. This also acts as an antidote to the vitiating Vatabioenergy.

3. Old barley, rice, wheat etc are advised. Besides meat soup,vegetable soup and soup of cereals is advised.

4. Consume medicated/boiled water as water is easily contaminated during the rains.

5. Use honey in limited amounts in preparing diets, drinks and eatables.

6. Honey consumption helps to get rid of the dampness and moistness which can be a host for many diseases.

7. Avoid consumption of gruels/churned preparations diluted in excess.

8. Avoid excessive water, liquid and wine. Foods which are hard to digest like meat are prohibited.

Lifestyle:

1. Specifying important rules of conduct , apart from the general rainy season regimen.

2. Pragharshana, udvartana (powder massage) Snana (bathing with fragrant herbs) should be practiced.

3. Clothes should be clean, light and devoid of humidity. In times of exposure, cover well to avoid effects of winds, rains etc.

4. Medicated Basti (enema) is prescribed as an evacuative procedure to expel vitiated Doshas.

5. Exposure to rain/frosts/snow/sun rays is best avoided.

6. Avoid day sleep, excessive exercises, wind, staying at riverbanks, moving in sun, and indulgence in sexual intercourse.

Following the seasonal regimen rules based on Ayurveda principles, help one in maintaining health with improved strength and vigour. For the ones suffering from diseases which are easily precipitated through seasonal change adopt the regimens explained to improve healthy quality and reduce effects of the seasonal change. Ex: Skin disorders, respiratory problems, bone and joint issues, metabolic disorders etc are influenced with climatic changes. Following the seasonal regimen reduces that disease impact.

VakratundaMahakayaKotisuryaSamaprabha,

Nirvighnam Kurume deva SarvakaryeshuSarvada.

We have grown learning the meaning of this verse. Let me share an Ayurveda description of the above verse: Vakratunda(Aquality of the Vatabio-energy), Mahakaya(a quality of the Kapha energy), kotisuryasamaprabha(a quality of the pitta bio-energy). A balance brought in these three doshas (Bioenergies) clears any kind of obstacle, making life healthier and happy.

Wishing you all a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous Ganesh Chaturthi.

Dr. Sanmathi P Rao
Sriranga Ayurveda
10/2, Bugle rock road, Basavanagudi
Bangalore-560004
Ph.: 080-26627717
Mob: 7829488352
http://www.srirangaayurveda.com/

 (The italic fonts denote transliteration)

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